Top 3 Lands Uncharted Changes Coming in 2020! (Laurie)

It's hard to believe that as of January 1st, Lands Uncharted will be four years old! So much has changed since we first got the blog up and running in 2016, from the way the blog is run to our contributing authors to the publishing industry and technology as a whole. Whew! In light of all these changes, all of us here at Lands Uncharted have been doing a lot of brainstorming over the past few months to figure out how to better accomplish our goal of gathering a community of readers and writers who love clean fantasy. And I'm SO EXCITED about what we've come up with! Here's a sneak peek at some of the upcoming changes - formatted, of course, in Top 3s style :)


3. More Books!

At the end of the day, we're all here for the books, right? I have discovered so many authors through my fellow contributors' posts, and I absolutely love getting to share my favorite books with the world. So, starting in 2020, we're going to have a book review EVERY Friday, under the new title "Weekend Reads." Are you as excited as I am?!? Yes, my to-read pile is already through the roof, but I just can't help being exhilarated by the prospect of even more new books!


2. More Authors!

The community of writers here at Lands Uncharted has always been amazing. Everyone is supportive and creative and so talented, and it's been an absolute pleasure to work with every one of our contributors and guest authors. I love that we have such a range of aspiring to published authors and that several of us have even made the jump from unpublished to published while we were part of this blog. So I'm thrilled to announce that our community is growing!! We will have FIVE new regular contributors who will make their debut posts in January, plus we're hoping to invite many more guest authors to stop by for a visit. I've so enjoyed getting to know all of these lovely writers already, and I'm so looking forward to introducing them to you!


1. More Readers!

As wonderful as my fellow Lands Uncharted authors are, the whole reason we're here is for YOU, our readers! We so appreciate the time you take to connect with us, and we've come up with a way to both say thanks and spread the word about Lands Uncharted to a broader audience. Ready for the big reveal? We are hereby launching our epic Christmas gift box giveaway!!! Eeeeek, I'm so excited! Lizzie, Katie, Lauricia, and I have each put together a book-themed Christmas gift box. FOUR lucky winners will each receive one author's box, containing at least one book and some related goodies - a bit like a one-time, personalized book subscription box. All you have to do is enter the Rafflecopter below! And if it's a success this year, we hope to make this Christmas gift box giveaway an annual tradition, so it will be even easier to enter next year when you're already signed up to receive our Lands Uncharted posts via e-mail and following us on social media :) In case this description wasn't enough to entice you, here are pictures of a few of the gift boxes (mine is actually a virtual gift box so our readers outside the U.S. can enter as well!)! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Thank you so much for being a part of our Lands Uncharted community, we hope you're as excited about the future of the blog as we are! Let me know in the comments which of the changes you're most looking forward to!


See you next time!
Laurie

Top 3's: fun moments in publishing my 1st book (Katie)

Top 3's: fun moments in publishing (Katie)

This month marks the 5 year anniversary of my first published series, The Enslaved Series (which includes Vanquished, Deliverance, and Redeemer). Today I'm sharing about the fun moments this "first" in publishing brought with it--via vlog! 

Publishing is hard, but it can be so rewarding, which I definitely learned with this series. (The picture below has Vanquished on the left, but mostly I'm showing off my super cute mug someone gifted me!)

You can learn more about this dystopian trilogy here on Goodreads or here on Amazon.

Top 3 Books Involving Out-of-Body Experiences (Laurie)

Since Halloween was only a few days ago, I thought I'd feature something a bit spooky in today's post :) I originally planned to write about books with ghosts, but it turns out I've read very few books that include actual ghosts (just not my type of story, I guess!). But I realized that I have read some fabulous books where characters have out-of-body experiences, which is a bit like temporarily becoming a ghost, right? That was my line of thinking, anyway :) So here are my Top 3!

3. Romanov by Nadine Brandes

This was such a powerful story! Gorgeously written and filled with historical details and complex characters who face impossible decisions but never lose hope. I can't say too much about the out-of-body experience in this book due to potential spoilers, but let's just say it's part of the story's cool, mysterious magic system. I haven't read much historical fantasy thus far, but now I definitely want to read more!

2. Ghostlight by Rabia Gale

Here's a book that actually does feature a ghost, and I LOVED it!! But the ghost is actually a spirit separated from a still-living body kind of situation, so it still works for this post :) The setting of Ghostlight is basically a fantasy-esque Regency England, which had me hooked right away. The main characters had some fantastic banter, and the ghostly aspects were sufficiently creepy to be a perfect Halloween read, but still manageable for someone like me who doesn't typically read scary stories.

1. The Dreamworld Duology by Kristina Mahr

I've gushed before about how much I adored these books (such as in our interview with the author, Kristina Mahr). The main character basically lives in two different worlds - part of the royal family by day, invisibly wandering the streets of a sinister city at night. Until she suddenly isn't invisible anymore... Intriguing, right? Her dual life causes plenty of problems, romantically and otherwise, and I could hardly put down these beautifully written books.

There's one more series I debated including on my list, because the books are amazing and it does include an out-of-body experience - the problem is, the fact that the character is having an out-of-body experience would be a MAJOR spoiler, so I will leave the series unnamed. Just know that there are other great examples out there, too :)

Do you have any favorite books involving an out-of-body experience? Are there any specific types of books you enjoy reading around this time of year?

Thanks for reading!

Laurie

Top 3's (Katie)

Top 3 Books I've Read in 2019 (Katie)

Fall is in full swing, even if it doesn't feel like it everywhere (where I live, and as I'm writing this, it is 92 degrees). I've been thinking about the books I've read so far this year, and there's quite the stack. Some have been amazing, some not good at all, and others somewhere in the middle. For today, I'd like to highlight my top 3 (so far!) for the year.

#3 Within These Lines

Within These Lines by Stephanie Morrill is a YA historical fiction set in California during WWII. I have never read a Stephanie Morrill book that I haven't fallen in love with, and this was no different. By the way, I saw on her Facebook page this week that she has new book contract news she'll be sharing soon, so yay!

#2 Flight of the Raven

Flight of the Raven by Morgan Busse is book 2 in the series (you can learn about the series on Goodreads here). This series is gripping, fascinating, emotional, and powerful. I can hardly wait for book 3!

#1 The Electrical Menagerie

The Electrical Menagerie by Mollie Reeder was, I admit, a surprising hit out of the ballpark. Not that I was expecting to NOT like it. Not at all. Only that I had never met or heard of Mollie or her writings before, so I wasn't sure what to expect at all. I read it after seeing a post on this blog about it (Laurie's post here).

This book made me cry, and this may be because I felt an emotionally personal connection starting in chapter 1, but I also think it's because the book is fabulous. It's full of mystery, adventure, real and raw characters, and a whole bunch of awesome gadgets. I definitely recommend it!

*Read any good books this year? Please share, because I'm always looking for new stuff to try!*

Top 3 Series That Just Keep Getting Better! (Laurie)

Do any of you get a little nervous when you fall in love with the first book in a series? There's always the excitement and anticipation of getting to dive back into that story world, revisit those characters, and see what happens next. But also a hint of anxiety...what if the next book isn't as good? What if the plot starts to fall apart, or the later books just don't have the same magical pull as that first one? I've experienced that disappointment enough times to know the worry is justified, but on the flip side, there are so many series out there that just keep getting better in each book! So today, I wanted to celebrate some of those series, in the form of a Top 3s, of course :)


3. The Chronicle of the Three by Tabitha Caplinger

This series had a lot going for it right from the start. Relatable main characters with a fun group of friends and lots of banter. Action, demon fighting, mystery, a prophecy. But there was also a lot of world-building and backstory to establish in the first book, and the writing style was more omniscient than what I typically read. But by books two and three, the tension just kept getting higher! Characters made sacrifices for each other, loyalties were called into question, and I got so emotionally involved with these characters! Add in more pie, lollipops, and hilariousness from Maggie, and I was hooked :)


2. The Green Princess series by H.L. Burke

I enjoyed the first book in this series - cool world-building, interesting characters, Burke's signature heart and snark. But the romance tended a bit too much toward insta-love for my taste, and the main characters had a few frustratingly naive moments. But I'm so glad I kept reading! In books 2 and 3, several years had passed, during which the main characters developed and matured. After spending some time apart, their romance was stronger and more meaningful. And the world-building just kept getting better, creating high stakes and an epic conclusion. By the end, I was loving every moment with these characters and couldn't put it down!


1. The Sentinel Trilogy by Jamie Foley

This series started out with a bit of a Harry Potter feel as the main character found himself at a new school, discovering a world of supernatural powers and training to use his own unknown abilities. So, of course, I was in love! And it just kept getting better! The writing was so good, the characters so complex, the world-building so fascinating. The story expanded from a boy trying to adjust to a new environment and worldview to an entire cast of characters making difficult choices and fighting for survival. And it all came together so brilliantly, with just the right ending for each beloved character and so many laughs and tears for the reader! Just what a series conclusion should be, in my humble opinion :)



I have so many potential runners up that I'm not going to even try to list them, but let's just say I've read a lot of great series! Plus, I didn't include any ongoing series that I have a feeling will come to epic and satisfying conclusions once they're complete (hmm, there might be the potential for another Top 3s post in here somewhere...). But now I want to hear from YOU! Have you read any of these series? Which series would you recommend that just keeps getting better as you read?


See you next time!
Laurie

Top 3's: A Birthday Celebration! (Katie)

Top 3 Birthdays! (Katie)

Hi everyone! In case you didn't know, today is my birthday! Hip hip hooray! In celebration, I am doing a giveaway (you can find the details at the end of this post)! I mostly like my birthday, and I haven't ever been too caught up on getting older. I get that it's a touchy subject for a lot of people, and I also understand that many people take the "you're only as old as you feel" stand. I am not one of either of those types. I absolutely feel my age (OK, usually I feel older than my age), but it doesn't bother me in the least. 

So, Happy Birthday to me! Today, I'm sharing 3 of my top birthday memories. Now, in the spirit of full disclosure, not all of my birthday memories are great. Like all of us, I have had ups and downs. But some of my birthdays have been exceptionally nice.

# 3

Sweet 16! My best friends threw me a slumber party at one of their houses. We ate pizza and ice cream and went swimming, and I remember having a really GREAT time. I've got lots of good memories from that party.

#2

Turning 18! So, my husband and I weren't allowed to start dating until I turned 18. That meant our first official date got to happen right around my 18th birthday. Sure, we had lots of fun times with friends and family before that date, but it was the "official" beginning of a wonderful thing!

#1

Birthday of 2018! OK, so this was just last year! We went to Walt Disney World for my birthday, and it was Ah-Maze-Ing! We've been to Disney World a few times, and it's my favorite place, but we have to work hard to make those trips happen. It usually includes lots of scrimping and saving, as well as picking up side writing jobs to make extra money. Last year we were in Magic Kingdom for my birthday, where we got my little boy's first haircut at the little barber shop on Main Street USA. We also had a hoe down with Mickey Mouse himself, which was super fun. It is currently my favorite birthday memory!

***How about you?! Share a great birthday memory and in celebration I will enter you to win an e-copy of your choice of one of my books!***

Top 3 Small Presses (Laurie)

A few weeks ago, Katie shared her Top 3 Benefits of Being in the Bookish Community, and I completely agreed with everything she said! Her post led me to reflect on how I've changed as a reader since becoming a writer. In addition to knowing more about writing techniques (which can be both a plus and a minus as a reader!), my to-read pile has practically exploded as I've met and interacted with so many fellow authors at conferences, in my writing group, and online. As a result, I've gone from reading mostly popular, big name books to many self-published and small press stories. And I love it! There are so many gems out there I would've never found out about if left to my own devices. So today, I want to celebrate my three favorite small presses! For each graphic, I included only the books I've actually read, which it turns out, are quite a few! :)


3. Pelican Book Group (PBG)

You may notice a theme in this first graphic - Pelican Book Group (PBG) made my list in large part because they made the excellent decision to publish the sweet and talented Katie Clark! Her Enslaved series (the three books in the middle of the top row) was my first introduction to PBG, and I was hooked! I absolutely fell in love with the characters, and the mysteries and suspense in her dystopian world kept me on the edge of my seat. Since then, Katie's released two books in her Beguiled series (so fun and creative!), The Rejected Princess (one of my favorite books last year!), and a few sweet romances. PBG also releases a set of Christmas novellas each year, of which I've especially enjoyed A Match of Sorts and The Widow's Captive by Lucette Nel. I so appreciate that PBG is publishing quality, entertaining Christian fiction!



2. Uncommon Universes Press (UUP)

I've had the opportunity to get to know a few of the amazing ladies involved with Uncommon Universes Press, so it came as no surprise that the books they produce are fabulous! I love that their books are clean with great messages but aren't specifically Christian. And the writing and world-building in every one of these books has blown me away! Cool fantasy / steampunk settings, swoony romances, plus such gorgeous covers - what's not to like? I very much look forward to seeing what UUP has coming up next!

1. Love2ReadLove2Write Publishing (L2L2)

Okay, so maybe I'm a little biased since this happens to be my publisher :) But seriously, the covers alone are enough to catch anyone's attention! And the stories inside are just as incredible! I read a few Love2ReadLove2Write titles before I submitted my manuscript and was so impressed by their depth and creativity. There's something about L2L2's stories that makes for really engaging, immersive reads no matter the author or genre. Following the publication of Common, I've had the opportunity to endorse many of their subsequent books and have been whole-heartedly enthusiastic about every one! It's such a blessing that my story found such a wonderful publishing home.



How about you? Do you read books from mostly big name publishers, or have you explored some self-published and small press titles? Do you have any favorite small presses?



Thanks for reading!
Laurie

Top 3 Benefits of Being in the Bookish Community (Katie)

Top 3 Benefits of Being Part of the Bookish Community (Katie)

Being a writer is fun, but being a part of the #bookish community is so much more than being a writer. Today I thought it’d be fun to talk about the Top 3 Benefits of Hanging Out in the Bookish Community!

 Reading books before they release!

There are lots of ways to read ARC’s, or Advance Reader Copies. These are copies of books provided to readers BEFORE the book is put out for the general public. One easy way to do this is to sign up for NetGalley. This is a platform that allows you to read books for free before (or sometimes after) they’re released, in exchange for a review. No one checks up on you to make sure you review, but if you don’t log back in to review the books you receive, you may be denied future requests for new books.

Another way to get your hands on ARC’s is to join authors’ street teams. These can be found through social media platforms, generally, and also through email lists from time to time. Street teams go by many names including marketing teams or support groups.

Meeting Amazing Authors in Person!

Guys, meeting the authors of books you’ve read and loved is so cool. Like, here is this amazing world you’ve immersed yourself in—and then you get to talk to the person who made all that up! I’ve met authors at writing conferences, book signing events, and even out in the general public. It’s always fun, and it’s a special perk of being part of the bookish community.

Taking Awesome Journeys into the Imagination!

The best part of being part of the bookish community is being able to become immersed in the world of imagination, even if it’s only for a little while. I go through ups and downs where I read lots of books then very few books—but books are always there for me. I love learning new things in books. I love going on quests in books. I love solving mysteries in books.

Is it any surprise that books themselves are my top benefit of being part of the bookish community?

*What about you? What are your favorite things about being a reader?*

Top 3 Newsletter Quotes of the Month (Laurie)

I've been sending my monthly author newsletter for over two years already (where did that time go??), and one of my favorite sections is "Quotes of the Month," where I feature favorite quotes from books I've been reading recently. Or once in a while quotes from my own stories :) I haven't sent out a newsletter in a few months since I'm on a bit of a maternity leave at the moment, and I've missed scouring my latest reads for lines that make me think or laugh, or just strike me as noteworthy for whatever reason. So I thought it might be fun to go back through all my previous Quotes of the Month and pick out a few favorites (there were so many good ones, it was really hard to choose!). Enjoy!



3. Julie Hall's Life After series is a fabulous mix of this kind of snarky humor (I just love the main character Audrey's voice - I totally feel like we should be friends!) and deep spiritual insights. Plus swoony romance and a fascinating vision of heaven to explore!

2. Our own Katie Clark really struck me with this beautiful line from The Rejected Princess. This book has such a powerful message, and the mystery and tension kept me turning pages late into the night. Plus characters I could relate to and such great romance! (Are you seeing a trend here?) P.S. Did you see her cover reveal for the sequel earlier this week?? SO pretty!

1. The Mermaid's Sister by Carrie Anne Noble was one of those books where I felt like I wanted to underline every other sentence because the prose is just that gorgeous. Add to that complex characters, the sweetest romance (again, ha!), and a unique story premise, and I was totally hooked. And so much to think about - this line still gives me chills every time I read it.

Of course I need an honorable mention because I can never seem to limit my choices to just three! I love this line, and I feel like it's representative of Tammy Lash's lovely writing style in White Wolf and the Ash Princess. Plus I really like the way it came together with the font and graphic, if I do say so myself :)

If you're interested in more quotes, I'd love to have you sign up for my newsletter! Monthly writing and personal updates, plus great quotes of course! You can find it here.

See you next time!

Laurie

Top 3 Reading Memories of All Time (Katie)

I have been reading books my entire life. I don't ever remember a time when I wasn't interested in books--and that got me to thinking. How did that happen? What made me love books and what kept that love going?

The more I thought about it, the more I pinpointed specific moments in time that cemented a love affair with books into my life. Today I'm sharing my Top 3 Reading Memories of All Time. These are the moments I most attribute to cultivating my love of books.

But while you're reading this, I hope you'll think about your own life as well. Do you have any defining bookish memories? If so, I hope you'll share them with me in the comments! Aren't book memories the best?!


1. My Grandpa
My grandpa is, as of the day I'm typing this up, 96 years old. He is a WWII veteran, and a mathmetician and physicist. When he retired, he moved to a beautiful and quaint little town in New Mexico where lots of other scientist peeps go for retirement.

But when I was little, Grandpa took me to the library. Like, all the time. He shaped my love for books by spending lots of time with me and showing me the adventures waiting between the covers of the books.

That is where it all started.

2. My Teen Years
When I was 13 years old my family moved to a new state. I don't remember going to the library or reading any books at this time, but a friend I'd made at our new home offered to let me read one of her books. I remember thinking the cover was pretty, so I said yes.

This book was a Christian romance by Lori Wick. It was the first grown-up book I had ever read, but it rekindled my love for books during a time when I'd forgotten how much I loved to read (because of the stress of a new and unfamiliar place).

I read like a bazillion books throughout my high school years, everything from Shakespeare to Dickens, and romance to supernatural.

3. Post-kids Reading
When I had my first baby I stopped reading and writing. I became wholly consumed with being a mom, which was exactly how I wanted it to be. I loved it.

But one day, a few years into the thing, a co-worker offered to let me read a book about vampires. I was totally not interested. Seriously. Vampires? I told her no, but she insisted. I ended up taking home the first Twilight book, reading it in two days, and devouring the rest of the series shortly after.

I have been reading voraciously every since! (Full disclosure, when I think about Twilight now I kind of shudder in repulsion! hee hee)

So, there you have it. These reading moments have shaped my reading experience throughout my life. I am so glad to have a history to trace through!

*What about you? Got any stand-out-ish reading moments you'd care to share? Favorite books? Lovely book memories? Please tell!*

Top 3 Show-Stopping Books (Laurie)

I'm afraid I haven't been very in touch with Lands Uncharted lately, but I promise I have a good reason - three weeks ago I had a baby! A beautiful little girl, and we're both doing great :) As I start to crawl out of the I'm-up-with-a-newborn-every-night fog, I wanted to point out that a lot has happened in my absence! In case you missed it, we sadly said goodbye to our friend KaLyn, who is stepping down from Lands Uncharted to free up time for other writing pursuits. We'll miss you, KaLyn! Make sure to checkout her fun, witty farewell post, which you can find here. (And did you know KaLyn's debut middle grade fantasy novel, Snow Globe Travelers: Samuel's Legacy, released in April?)

The good news is that we also got to welcome a new contributor to the blog last week! I've been a huge fan of Katie Clark's for years, and more recently I've had the opportunity to get to know her as a friend. I'm thrilled to have her joining us at Lands Uncharted, and I know you'll enjoy her wisdom, writing insights, and sense of humor. Her first post is here if you haven't had a chance to read it yet, and you can find out more about her on her bio or website as well. Welcome, Katie!!


Now, onto the show-stopping books I promised, which are actually all books based on a circus / theater or other show :) By coincidence I've read quite a few of these performance-centered books lately, so of course I felt inspired to do a Top 3s post!


3. Heart of the Curiosity by H.L. Burke

I recently had the opportunity to read an advance copy of H.L. Burke's latest novel, which releases on June 27th! In addition to her signature wit, fun characters, and sweet romance, this story features a legendary theater and a magic system in which everyone is born with a "knack" - some kind of small magical ability such as fixing books or baking with just the right flavors. While I wish we could've experienced a Curiosity performance at its peak (things were starting to go downhill by the time a show was described), I still loved the depictions of the grand old theater and imagining what it would be like to see a show involving magical enhancements like dancers who can levitate and special effects from a propmaster with a knack for invention. Plus, the structure and family traditions of the Curiosity made it so much more than your run-of-the-mill theater.



2. The Electrical Menagerie by Mollie E. Reeder

I've already talked about this book once (in my Top 3 Man-Made Characters post) and I'll be posting about it again, but it was just one of those unique stories that keeps coming to mind! Apparently steampunk is a genre that lends itself well to stories about cool shows, because both this book and Heart of the Curiosity fall into that category. Carthage and Huxley's Electrical Menagerie show is an amazing combination of illusion and creative inventions by Carthage, which I so wish I could see in real life! The descriptions are so rich and vivid, especially coming from Cathage's perspective as the entertainer, and I loved everything from the showmanship to the incredible details he worked into his performances. Carthage and Huxley's show is part of a competition, so a bonus of this book was getting to hear about the other competing shows as well, including a superb illusionist and flying horses. Great fuel for the imagination!




1. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

The lush narrative of this book made me feel like I was actually a part of the Night Circus, which made it an unforgettable read. Every sight, sound, and smell, plus the overall ambiance came together to bring the show to life, with a wide variety of acts and fun hints of magic and mystery. As the two rival stars of the Night Circus competed to best each other in their work, the stakes and impressiveness of the spectacles just kept rising. And I loved the complexity of the characters and the way their stories wove together. I'll admit that typical circuses have never held that much appeal for me, but the vision of the Night Circus was something entirely different, with a sophistication and uniqueness that made me want to visit again the moment I finished reading. (P.S. If you like audiobooks, Jim Dale does a fantastic job narrating this one!)





I'll give a shout-out to The Lady and the Lionheart by Joanne Bischof, a historical romance that takes place at a circus and happens to be my current read :) It's not quite as magical an experience since it isn't a fantasy book, but I am enjoying the inside look at the community of performers and the depiction of the lion-taming act was very fun. It so happens that the audiobook of Caraval I've been waiting for from the library just arrived, so it seems my streak of show-based books will continue a bit longer!


Have you read any books based around a circus, theater, or other show? Have there been any common elements in the books you've been reading lately?


See you next time!
Laurie

One Draft, Two Draft (KaLyn)

One Draft, Two Draft (a writer’s parody)

One draft.

Two draft.
Bad draft.
Blaah draft.

Half draft.

Whole draft.

Rotten draft.

Cold draft.

This one’s beginning lags.

This one’s middle sags.

Say! What a lot

Of drafts there are.

Yes. Some are bad. And some are blaah.
 And some you wish, you never saw.

Some don’t begin.
And some won’t end.
 And some—never ever, ever send.

But don't let
Fear hold you back.
You can learn
Any skill you lack.

Make some friends
And share your work
Connecting is the point.
Don't just lurk.

From bad to good, from good to bad, 
Writing lessons
Must be had.

It takes time
To find a way
And that's okay!
You only need to pray.

Oh this! Oh that!
Oh dear! Oh me!
What a lot
Of writing lessons we see.

This is my last post as a regular contributor on the spectacular Lands Uncharted, with the lovely ladies of Lands. But this isn’t goodbye! You can find me on my blog at authorkacummins.com or hanging around social media (@authorkacummins).

See ya later, alligator! ;)

Top 3 Man-Made Characters (Laurie)

I had trouble coming up with the right title for this post because I wasn't quite sure how to describe these characters. For a fantasy reader such as myself, "Non-Human" is way too broad a term because it would bring lots of my favorite fantasy creatures into the mix. And they're not all robots, exactly, since one is a computer system...

Anyway, what I'm trying to get at today are favorite characters who are mechanical or man-made. They aren't even truly alive, but somehow the authors gave them so much personality that they made significant impacts on their respective books and have stayed with me long after I finished reading. Although I don't tend to read a lot of science fiction in general, I had lots of fun coming up with this Top 3 list :) Enjoy!



3. Iko from The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

Cinder's lovable android in The Lunar Chronicles just jumps up from the page in every single scene she's in. Bursting with energy and spunk, she never fails to bring comic relief, though her over-the-top flirtatiousness and obsession with fashion did make me roll my eyes a few times. But despite her tendency to be a bit ridiculous, I really appreciated her self-confidence despite androids' low societal status and most of all, her extreme loyalty to Cinder.








2. Hart from the Nyssa Glass series by H.L. Burke

As much as I enjoyed Nyssa's character in this series, it was Hart's first appearance that totally got me hooked. You'd never guess a house's central computer system could have so much personality, but Hart had such a delightful playfulness, complete with shy flirtations and an array of jokes - sometimes funny, sometimes adorably lame. The way he came to care for Nyssa made me absolutely melt. Never before (and probably never again!) have I ever wished I could hug a computer program :)






1. Dominic from The Electrical Menagerie by Mollie E. Reeder

I recently finished The Electrical Menagerie, and Dominic was the inspiration for this entire post! Dominic was so wonderfully robotic, and yet not, that he managed to stand out even amid a cast of fun, intriguing human characters. I loved the way he cared so much for Carthage, his creator / master, but also poked fun at his human absurdities. He had so many fabulous one-liners where his robotic understanding of situations turned into pure comedy. And yet he also shared some of the deepest wisdom in the book, in a scene that may or may not have made me cry... (By the way, be on the lookout for my full review of this book later this summer!)





I have to give an honorable mention to Tegan, the AI in Jebraun Clifford's story "Beyond the Stars, Past the Moons" in the Encircled anthology. He doesn't get a lot of screen time, but he still manages to make an impression with his snarky attitude and memorable quotes!


So now I want to hear from YOU! Who are some of your favorite "man-made" characters? Have you read any of these books?


Thanks for reading!
Laurie

Top 3 Favorite Obscure Fairy Tales by Special Guest Heather Hayden (Fractured Ever After Blog Tour)

We're thrilled to welcome Heather Hayden to Lands Uncharted today as part of the Fractured Ever After Blog Tour! I've had the pleasure of collaborating with Heather to put together a joint giveaway celebrating the April releases of our fairy tale anthologies (find out more below!), and now I'm excited to share Heather's Top 3 Favorite Obscure Fairy Tales! Take it away, Heather!


Welcome to the fifth stop on the Fractured Ever After Blog Tour! I’m Heather Hayden, the author of “The Frog Prince,” a fractured retelling about the son of the frog prince from the original fairy tale. I’ll talk a little more about our anthology in a bit, but first, let’s chat about fairy tales!


Top 3 Favorite Obscure Fairy Tales

I’ve read a lot of blog posts listing favorite fairy tales (and retellings thereof), searching for new ones that might interest me or spark an idea (as fairy tale retellings are a favorite of mine to read and write).

However, although many readers post lists of their favorite fairy tales, not nearly as many post lists of their favorite obscure ones. The lists I find are often dominated by old favorites such as Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty, but there are hundreds of fairy tales in existence today—some of which have only recently been rediscovered.

Today I will be discussing three of my favorite obscure fairy tales. Yes, it says “Top 3” in the title of this blog post, but that’s more to match the blog series which I am guest writing for than strictly the truth—it’s impossible for me to pick my absolute favorites with so many tales to choose from!

#3 – The Tinderbox

I still remember the first time I read this rags-to-riches fairy tale about a retired soldier in a tattered copy of a fairy tale collection. The illustrations accompanying it truly brought the story to vivid life, etching the monstrous dogs and the soldier’s cunning use of his magical tinderbox in my memory.

The Tinderbox follows the adventures of a soldier who procures a magical tinderbox that allows him to summon three dogs of varying sizes. They follow his orders loyally, including kidnapping a princess! Although I’m not fond of that part of the tale (poor princess!), I love the idea of a magical box that can call forth intelligent animals.

If you enjoy this tale as much as I do, you might want to check out Elise Edmonds’s retelling called “The Firestone,” a short story which features dragons and a strong female protagonist. It’s available in the anthology Of Legend and Lore.

#2 – Issun-bōshi (“One-Sun Boy” or “The Inch-High Samurai”)

I have devoured every fairy tale I can find since I was a child, from the brightly illustrated picture books that told various versions of Cinderella to the dense, old tomes packed full of well-known and lesser known tales. German, Chinese, Irish, Japanese, Russian...it doesn’t matter the story’s origin or its contents, I am always curious to learn a new tale or a fresh variant of an old favorite.

Issun-bōshi is the story of a very small boy (only about an inch high!) who sets out to become a warrior, taking only a bowl with a chopstick as his boat and a needle sheathed in a bit of straw as his sword. I love that imagery! Along the way, as in many fairy tales, he meets a lovely girl and fights a terrifying monster (in this case, an oni—a kind of demon in Japanese folklore).

If you’ve read Issun-bōshi, I recommend checking out “The Mech Oni and the Three-Inch Tinkerer” by Leslie and David T. Allen. It’s a fun steampunk retelling available in the anthology Steampunk Fairy Tales.

#1 – The Nightingale

Many fairy tales have a moral lesson at their heart, and The Nightingale is no exception. It warns readers not to throw away what is real for that which is artificial.

The Nightingale tells the story of the Emperor of China and a nightingale. When the Emperor discovers the nightingale’s song is one of the most beautiful sounds in his empire, he demands she come to his court. For a time, the nightingale is his favorite—but then he is gifted a cleverly crafted and bejeweled mechanical bird. Fascinated with his new gift, he forgets the nightingale, who returns to her forest. Only when the Emperor lies dying years later, begging the silent (and broken) mechanical bird to sing, is the nightingale’s true worth realized—she returns, and her song so moves Death that he relinquishes his hold.

When I first read this story as a child, I felt sorry for the nightingale—trapped in court and then passed over in favor of something more outwardly beautiful. However, in some ways, it was a blessing in disguise—no longer the focus of the Emperor’s desire, she was able to return to her beloved home. And when he begs her at the end to stay once more, she refuses but promises to visit with stories of the people in his kingdom. So many female characters in fairy tales are passive; it is refreshing to read a story where she makes her own choices.

If you too are fascinated by this fairy tale, I recommend reading “The Songbird’s Citadel” by J.M. Hackman. It is an awesome sci-fi retelling available in the anthology Encircled.

Thank you so much for sharing these, Heather, I love learning about new fairy tales! Speaking of new fairy tales, here's a little more about Fractured Ever After:

Releasing on April 27th, 2019, Fractured Ever After is an illustrated anthology featuring eight fractured retellings by the talented authors of the Just-Us League.

Here’s the blurb:

Old classics are fractured into exciting new tales in this international collection of magic, mystery, and adventure.

Some heroes go searching for their happily ever after: a dragon cocoon hunter explores the dangerous woods for his sleeping beauty; a prince forces a perfect romance on an unsuspecting maiden; and when a girl leaves town, she must quickly decide to trust—or be wary of—a new stranger.

Destiny is thrust upon others: a disconnected emperor struggles to retain his title; a frog prince leaves his pond in search of answers; and after Rapunzel is rescued, a new quest is awarded to her savior.

Whether it is destiny or choice, all actions have consequences: sibling rivalry pushes one little piggy to extremes and a princess must choose to follow her heart or step up as future queen.

Prepare for an adventure as these eight fantastic fairy tales transport you to places beyond your imagination.

Excited for its release? Preorder it now.

Here's a little more about our special guest, Heather Hayden!

Fueled by chocolate and moonlight, Heather Hayden seeks to bring magic into the world through her stories.

A freelance editor by day, she pours heart and soul into her novels every night, spinning tales of science fiction and fantasy that sing of friendship and hope.

Heather’s publications include Augment, a YA science fiction novel, and several short stories in the JL Anthology series. She is currently working on Upgrade, the sequel to Augment, as well as a gaslamp fantasy series titled Rusted Magic. Her latest short story, “The Frog Prince,” follows Gil, the son of the original frog prince, as he seeks answers. It can be found in the upcoming illustrated anthology, Fractured Ever After.

You can follow Heather’s writing adventures on her website, Facebook, Twitter, or through her newsletter.

Now, do you remember mention of a giveaway?? 

The Just-Us League and the Ever Afters have teamed up to host an amazing giveaway. From now until April 30th, you can enter for a chance to win one of four awesome prizes.

Grand Prize (US only): Two Paperbacks (Fractured Ever After and Encircled), book cozy + shoe ornament, 3D-printed bookmark (pick one design), set of four signed illustration prints.

First Prize (US only): Two Paperbacks (Fractured Ever After and Encircled), charm bracelet, 3D-printed bookmark (pick one design), set of four signed illustration prints.

Second Prize (International): Two Ebooks (Fractured Ever After and Encircled), 3D-printed bookmark (pick one design), set of four signed illustration prints. 

Third Prize (International): Two Ebooks (Fractured Ever After and Encircled), choice of 3D-printed bookmark (pick one design) OR set of four signed illustration prints.

Enter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don't miss the other stops on the Fractured Ever After Blog Tour to learn more about the amazing authors in the anthology! Here's the full schedule:

April 6th – Jebraun Clifford – Kristy Perkins [interview]

April 10th – J. E. Klimov – Matthew Dewar [interview]

April 13th – Allie May – Alexander Thomas [interview]

April 17th – M.T. Wilson – LB Garrison [interview]

April 20th – Lands Uncharted – Top 3 Favorite Obscure Fairy Tales (you are here!)

April 24th – A4A – Allie May [interview]

April 27th – Heather Hayden – Shannon Yukumi [interview]


Thanks again for visiting today, Heather, and congratulations to you and the entire Just-Us League on your upcoming new release!

Top 3 Rare Mythological Creatures (Lizzie)

I hope you've heard that Laurie Lucking and I are part of a new fairytale anthology, Encircled, that releases next week. Laurie's Snow White retelling kept coming to mind as I was trying to come up with an idea for this post. It wasn't the Snow White aspect (though I loved that) that had captured my thoughts, though, but the trees. Or more precisely, the dryads living in the beautiful, mysterious forest. I've not read much about dryads, so I found them fascinating, and I loved Laurie's portrayal of them, especially of the dryad prince. It got me thinking about other beings from mythology that I've only read about a few times. So here are three of my favorite "rarities."

1) Dryads 

These nymphs are tied to their trees and are very graceful. I believe they are mentioned in The Chronicles of Narnia, but I never really thought much about them until reading Laurie's "Edged in Silver." They aren't the same as Tolkien's Ents or Rowling's Whomping Willow (I think it's interesting that Tolkien also has a malicious willow in The Fellowship of the Ring, but willows look innocent enough to me.) They can leave their trees.

2) Naiads

These nymphs inhabit rivers, springs, and waterfalls. In Brandon Mull's Fablehaven, the naiads are extremely dangerous and enjoy convincing humans to join them in the water so they can drown them. One of my favorite characters in Fablehaven (I won't say who to avoid spoilers) was a naiad who fell in love with one of the human caretakers of Fabehaven and left the water, and became a nice person (I'm not sure I'd call her human exactly, but she gained human qualities of compassion and love after leaving the water).

3) Selkies

These Scottish mythological creatures are capable of changing from seals to humans. They are portrayed differently in the three stories I've heard them mentioned in, but my favorite portrayal of them in the animated movie Song of the Sea. A young half-selkie girl has a beautiful, white "selkie coat" that lets her turn into a seal in the sea beside her lighthouse keeper father's house. She must learn to sing the selkie song. So I associate selkies with beautiful white coats and lovely songs, as well as with seals.

Do you have any favorite mythological creatures (beyond dragons and unicorns, that is)?