It's the 5th of November

I can't believe I almost forgot! In case you didn't know, there is an old saying that comes around once a year and it goes like this:

Remember, remember the Fifth of November,

The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,

I know of no reason

Why the Gunpowder Treason

Should ever be forgot.

It is on this day in 1605 that Guy Fawkes, along with other Catholic conspirators, attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament with the King and other primary figures in it. They obviously did not succeed and were caught, tortured, and executed.

The foiled plot is traditionally celebrated with bonfires and fireworks in the United Kingdom and some of their former colonies. The "holiday" found a new following in 2005 with the release of a film adaption of the graphic novel V for Vendetta by Alan Moore and David Lloyd. The main character in the story follows in Guy Fawkes' footsteps, even wearing a Guy Fawkes mask, and attempts to blow up the Houses of Parliament. A wonderful movie for those who enjoy books like The Hunger Games and Winter's End. So enjoy the day!

Winter's End by Jean-Claude Mourlevat

Milena, Bartolomeo (Bart), Helen, and Milos live in a dystopian future where, after a bloody rebellion resulted in the creation of the centralized government of the Phalange, they were imprisoned as children in neighboring boarding schools. Due to this unfortunate state, the teens have never really been exposed to the opposite sex.

That is until Helen and Milena happen to run into Bart and Milos on the bridge into town. The teens exchange in formation, to facilitate unauthorized letter-writing, and then move on. Only fate has other plans for Bart and Milena.

All four teens manage to escape from their boarding schools and begin a whirlwind journey across mountains, running from pursuers, and making friends in unlikely places. Not everything is as well as it seems though. There is an uprising boiling just under the surface, and these teens will make all the difference in that movement. Who will remain standing when the floodgates open?

A truly evocative story, Winter's End is sure to garner fans from the Hunger Games crowd. The characters feel so familiar and the story is filled with fantastical contortions of the human race. I received this book from Candlewick Press and couldn't be more happy that they graced me with this gift. While I know I seem to have a lot of glowing reviews of books, this one easily stands out among the many that I have read as a sleeper hit. With its inventive characters and plausible plot, one could almost believe that this was a true story. Almost. Give it a shot and pick it up on November 10th!

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday recognizes that we as bookies pine for books. This post is about what I am impatiently waiting for right now. It was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Winter's End by Jean-Claude Mourlevat is set to be released November 10, 2009 from Candlewick Press.

In a gripping dystopian novel, four teenagers risk impossible odds to fight against tyranny in a world of dangerous choices — and reemerging hope.

Escape. Milena, Bartolomeo, Helen, and Milos have left their prison-like boarding schools far behind, but their futures remain in peril. Fleeing across icy mountains from a terrifying pack of dog-men sent to hunt them down, they are determined to take up the fight against the despotic government that murdered their parents years before. Only three will make it safely to the secret headquarters of the resistance movement. The fourth is captured and forced to participate in a barbaric game for the amusement of the masses — further proof of the government’s horrible brutality. Will the power of one voice be enough to rouse a people against a generation of cruelty? Translated from the French, this suspenseful story of courage, individualism, and freedom has resonated with young readers across the globe.
-From Amazon

This book sounds amazing! Very rarely do teen novels originally written in French get translated for other countries! I am so excited because I love dystopic universes and this one sounds right up my alley. Teens rising against oppressive governments just gets my heart racing. Can't wait.