COURT OF FIVES Giveaway

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Can Brenda Wollard and Li please email me?

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In celebration of Kate Elliott’s upcoming YA debut novel, COURT OF FIVES, we are giving away TWO (2) free copies of the hardcover just in time for its release on 18 Aug. 2015!

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Little, Brown Books for Young Reader says: “In this imaginative escape into an enthralling new world, World Fantasy Award finalist Kate Elliott’s first young adult novel weaves an epic story of a girl struggling to do what she loves in a society suffocated by rules of class and privilege.”

Inspired by Little Women, Sasuke/American Ninja Warrior, the Count of Monte Cristo, and Greco-Roman Egypt, the novel is also Elliott’s love letter to girls who play sports. (Read more about the book’s description and current reviews here.)

Here are the rules:

1. To enter: Comment below with either a favorite sport & why OR if you don’t like sports, a favorite hobby/activity. Winners will be chosen by random draw.

2. The giveaway will run from 5 August to 11 August, ending at 10 PM Hawaii Time.

3. Domestic USA and International entries welcome. (Please let us know which you are in your comments!) Winners’ copies will be mailed out as soon as we confirm addresses.

P.S. You can also pre-order your copy of COURT OF FIVES on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Indiebound!

79 thoughts on “COURT OF FIVES Giveaway”

  1. I have never been much of a team-sports geek, but at one time I was a fairly avid recreational bicyclist, and I still own six golf clubs (driver, putter, a couple of irons, a couple of wedges) from the period when I was playing maybe 18 holes a year in the company of a favorite cousin. I *do* rather like watching golf on TV as well — yes, you may laugh now. I think both the cycling and the golf appeal because there’s something about both that is both exercise and relaxation at the same time….

    Last time I looked, Oregon was still in the USA.

  2. My favorite sport is football/soccer, though I mostly only watch. In terms of playing, I don’t really like to play sports much though I did play volleyball in high school.

  5. My favorite leisure activity is reading science fiction & fantasy. This is enhanced significantly by my interactions w/ authors on Twitter. Sports not so much, although I do jog & take long distance walks to stay healthy-er.
    Court of Fives sounds like my kind of something 🙂 Thanks for this giveaway!

  6. My favorite sport is fencing because I get to hit people with swords. How cool is that? Also, it’s a great physical and mental workout. I hope there is some sword fighting in Court of Five.

  7. I am a basketball fan. I mostly watch, but once the weather cools down here in Mississippi, I LOVE to play (okay, run around and shoot. Not super serious over here) with my brother and dad. As for professional teams, I’m a Chicago Bulls fan all the way! Thank you for the giveaway!

  8. My favorite sport is hiking. I also enjoy its related sport, attempting to balance on inadvisable things in order to photograph really interesting moss.

  9. My favorite sport is rugby, because the rules are the same for both genders and it’s super fun to play and watch. All the fast pace of soccer and the exciting contact of football! Plus there’s the quote, “Well, you know what they say about soccer. It’s a gentleman’s game played by hooligans. On the other hand, rugby is a hooligan’s game played by gentlemen.” (US Entry and former rugby player)

  10. My favorite sport is basketball! I grew up watching it with my dad and went to my first game when I was 5. I’m really passionate about it and watching my team (L.A. Lakers). I love the competition, the passion, the finesse, and the history of the game. Plus it’s so exciting to watch and it’s been a fun bonding experience over the years with my family and friends. I even met my husband through basketball because we both blogged for different Laker fan sites! Really looking forward to Court of Fives, thanks for the giveaway chance 🙂 I live in the U.S.

  11. My favourite sport is Tennis because it’s fast-paced and physically challenging but also requires mental concentration! I also love to watch the grand slam tournaments. I’m from Canada and thank you for this giveaway!

  12. My favorite leisure activity is reading! I also love to write reviews on my book review blog, and talk with my friends (on the internet, or in real life) about what I am reading! Thank you so much for the giveaway! 🙂

  13. My favorite sport has always been basketball – I used to play it when I was younger, but I really love watching it. I would always watch it with my favorite uncle before he died, and we would always choose opposite teams to fight over who would win.

    Also cheerleading and/or dance, which are totally sports. (US entry – Oklahoma)

  14. I’m not a very active person. I usually just lile curling up and reading somewhere but when we were children in Fiji, we used to play all sorts of games. We would play golf with metal bars, tennis with a fishing net in between, rugby with a soccer ball. Our favorite game was rugby, of the sevens variety. The national sport of Fiji, it was the one we saw most often played out in detail on TV. Also it was one we were actually good at. A hobby? Reading. But actually reading is more of a religion. Ha. Cooking. It’s a new hobby and one I’m enjoying.

  15. My favorite sport is karate. I love it. It’s fun. You get to know how to defend yourself, and you get a great workout. My dojo is great. The sensei are all nice and very helpful!

  18. I like watching football/soccer (not really the national team even if the Tahiti-Spain match in 2013 was fun to watch even while supporting the team that let 10 times the ball enter, probably partly because the Brazilian crowd was lovely to support the islanders), not much playing it or any sport. So my favorite activity is reading or daydreaming. I’m from Tahiti and thanks for the giveaway.

  19. In high school my favorite sport was volleyball, just after Uni I took up softball, now I’ve finally got a real job and can afford to feed a horse, my favorite activity is horseback riding. I live in New Zealand.

  20. Sports, gah! I was never very athletic. Being overweight and being made fun of for it as a child gave me a lot of incentive to not put myself out there when it came to sports.

    I would like to learn a martial art, though. Some day.

    Other than that, I’d say my biggest hobbies are reading and crafting. Especially knitted lace, and embroidery!

    (Oh yes, international reader here. Just barely, though; I’m in Canada.)

  22. Archery! Tone up your back and shoulder muscles, do a bit of walking to fetch the arrows, occasionally have an exciting treasure hunt when one’s gone skidding off into the grass. Plus, in my group at least, occasionally pretend you’re part of a medieval army and practice a volley or two in unison. So much fun!

    (UK based)

  23. My favorite sport is running, though I played field hockey in high school and enjoyed it. I enjoy the fact that in running your opponent is basically yourself and your own bad habits.

    I’m International.

  24. Sport? Ha! I’m a reader 🙂 my second favourite activity is creating stuff. Haven’t yet found a sport I loved, except perhaps bush walking!

  27. International

    Oh, basketball definitely! I played when I was in primary school, and I was GOOD. Probably one of the reasons I enjoyed it so much!

  28. My favorite sport is road race cycling, specifically the multi-stage, multi-day races like the Tour of France. I love the different aspects/types of riders that make up a team (sprinters, climbers, time trial-ers, all-around) and the tactics implemented to achieve whatever the team’s goals are (overall time winner, stage win, etc). It’s really fun to watch once you understand a little about what you’re watching.

    I am in domestic USA.

  29. My favourite sport is gymnastics, which I did for about ten years throughout my childhood and adolescence. It’s my favourite because of the way it made me feel: the sensation that my body was entirely within my control, and that it was able to do extraordinary things. It made me feel like my body was powerful, which was really important to me as a teenage girl. When done right, gymnastics felt like flying.

    I haven’t done gymnastics for a long time now, but it’s still my favourite sport to watch.

    I’m international.

  30. I think my favorite sport to participate in would be swimming. It’s great exercise without being too hard on my poor joints. I also get to pretend that I’m a mermaid. As for sports I like to watch, I think basketball or soccer would have to be my top picks. I really like how fast they move. It’s very exciting.

  32. For most of the 15 years I was in the Army I *hated* running. I didn’t get it until the last couple years I was in, but then of course I got out and happily vegetated on the couch for several years. Since by the time I restarted I was in my 40s, injuries and cold weather have conspired to keep me on that couch, so I spend far too much time waiting to run instead of actually running but I refuse to give up! It’d help if I lived in Hawaii instead of snowy Michigan, so I’m hoping there’s a secret prize to move to Hawaii! 😉

  33. Favorite sport to watch? Definitely soccer/football-everywhere-except-in-the-US. It seems like the most graceful sport and it’s slow enough that I can keep up 🙂

    My favorite “sport” to actually do is dancing. I’ve been dancing since I was 5 years old and I can’t imaging life without it!

  34. I’m not very sporty but I do enjoy ice skating (though not the commentary) and baseball. Golf is OK too. Mostly I like reading, so feel free to choose me! I am a US entrant.

  35. In the past few years, I’ve begun to follow Premier League soccer. I’m an Evertonian. Following the sport and this particular club is something I enjoy because of the camaraderie of being a supporter. There is a great network of fans worldwide. And soccer is also just fun to watch. In casual conversation, I’ve even gotten to the point I refer to it as “football.”

  36. Sport’s not my thing. I enjoy reading mainly sci-fi/fantasy & cozy mysteries.
    Ireland

  37. My favorite sport is the funnest sport you’ve never heard of, Rolfball. You play it on a tennis court, score it like volley ball, and mash in four square and dodge ball. There are YouTube videos out there. We have a good sized group here in WI.

  38. READING! It was, is and will always be my favourite pass-time. I read everything and in ridiculous amounts. I also like yoga, but only because I can think of it as a philosophy, not an actual sport 🙂

    International – Poland

  39. I admit I’m not much of a sports person, but if I had to choose a favourite, I’ve always enjoyed volleyball. My serving record isn’t the best, but I love that everyone on the team has their own designated space, which makes the team aspect of the game different than almost any other sport. Your teammates are relying on you to do your best, but outside the reach of your arms, the ball is pretty much outside of your responsibility. It creates a high demand for personal excellence, but not so much that any one player can just charge to the front lines and ‘score’ (like in soccer or hockey). Everyone absolutely *must* work together for the team to win, which is an attitude I’ve always appreciated when on volleyball teams.

    Anyway, thanks for the awesome giveaway! I’m from Canada 🙂

  40. I am not a group sport enthusiast. I enjoy more solitary sports, like running and hiking. I enjoy being in my own head space and the activities help to clear my mind. I have been curious about sculling (is that spelled correctly?) It looks like a fun sport, involving great cooperation. And the speed doesn’t hurt! One of my favourite activities is reading. I love the feel and smell of books! I especially enjoy diving into the words and allowing my imagination to express itself as I read a story.
    I live in Langley BC, so I suppose that makes me an international.

  41. My favorite sport is canoeing, although it is not competitive. and everything that goes with it, camping hiking meditation in nature.

  44. My favorite sport growing up was bike riding. I only had a red Schwinn that I adored, and I would explore the town and visit friends. I had a large basket on the front, and saddlebag baskets on the back fender, so I would often bring home cool things I’d find such as wooden doorstops painted like Boston Terriers that someone was throwing out. I still have them! I joined the Army at age 17, we were still in Viet Nam. I didn’t get to bike ride, but I was part of a canoeing and fishing club. It was so relaxing to float along with a small picnic, trolling a line and listening to the quiet. An excellent break from my first Army job which was taking delivery of incoming remains, if known, then making arrangements to transport home, notifying family and preparing a veteran’s package for the family. Some remains were contained in a box as small as a shoebox, those bothered me the most. I suppose anything non-competitive and relaxing that allows me to explore a bit is the best sport! Thanks, Kate for all the great stories! Keep up the good work!

  45. I thought I was going to write about a non-sporty activity, since I am not a “sports person” overall, until I remembered that oh, yeah, I did martial arts for almost 7 years and earned a junior black belt. Funny how labels like “sports person” or “not a sports person” can be powerful enough suppress major things like that! I was an awkward 9-year-old who fell in love with the idea of combining power (all that kicking and punching!) with grace. Now, I always remained somewhat awkward–I never became as flexible or fast or graceful or strong as many others–but I improved dramatically. I loved learning and creating katas, which are like physical poetry. My school taught a combination of styles: primarily tae kwon do and kung fu, but also some aikido, and some of whatever else they thought we should try. And they taught us that if you are attacked for real, to hell with any rules–pry the guy’s eyeball out with your thumb if that’s what it takes! (One of the instructors actually did find herself in that situation. She survived the encounter in much better shape than her attacker.) I eventually dropped out when I got to a level where I got injured too often in sparring to enjoy it, and when my relative lack of speed became too much of a liability. Though on reflection, a lot of those injuries were because I was sparring against the only partners available, men about a foot taller and 50 to 100 pounds heavier… I wonder if I’d have stayed in longer if there were more women my size involved? Anyway. Even though I am no longer practicing, it was a formative experience and I am so glad I did it!

    As far as watching sports, I’d have to go with all the things on the ice skating/gymnastics continuum/ballet continuum, for similar reasons–they combine amazing strength with incredible grace and are just jaw-dropping to watch. (Ballet is totally a sport, right? Even if there aren’t competitions and points?)

    California, USA

  46. I have never been the athletic type. I will admit a certain fascination with American pro football–for which I blame my sister! Two of my favorite hobbies would be knitting and crocheting. As it turns out, both are perfect for “watching” football!

  47. i don’t really exercise but i used to do basketball and swimming. as for watching sports, basketball, american football,hockey and all kind of winter sports ^^
    my hobbies nowadays:reading

    International-Greece

  48. I’m afraid I’ve never got on with sport. I was ill with Rheumatic Fever when I was a child so I wasn’t allowed to play sport at school for many years – by the time I was allowed to everyone else knew the rules but I didn’t. My favourite hobby is dollmaking – I like being able to take some scraps of fabric, bits of yarn and some paint and turn it into a ‘person’ with a ‘life’ of its own. (From the spelling you may guess I’m English.)

  49. My favourite sport to watch is Gaelic, as it so fast paced and eventful to watch, although my best memories is playing baseball with my family.

    International- Northern Ireland.

  50. I’m not a huge sports fan, but I used to play and very much enjoy Ultimate Frisbee as a teen! Fast paced and just a whole lot of fun. 🙂

    And I’m international/Canadian.

  51. My favorite sport would definitely have to be badminton. I used to always play it when the family would gather in the summer for BBQs when I was younger, and in college I would just play with some friends in the parking lot near school whenever we had time. I have a lot of fond memories just hitting a birdie back and forth on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

    I’m international incidentally :).

  52. I wouldn’t really call either a sport, but I’ve been practising taekwon-do for nigh on nine years and I got into Viking age combat reenactment a few years ago. (Not a sport… *definitely* exercise!) Being the sort of woman who’d rather wear bruises than make-up, I tend to sympathise with girls whose idea of fun is not entirely “proper” :)))

    I’m international. The UK shouldn’t be too hard to deliver to 😉 *flutters eyelashes at random number generator*

  53. As a child I enjoyed tennis and bike riding, but these days my enjoyments turn more towards reading. Why? Because I don’t have to run after the toddler!

  55. I’ve been obsessed with football (soccer) since I was little! I’m not sure why I love it so much but it makes me really happy 🙂

  56. I love playing Badmitton but I’m not sure that’s considered a sport or not. I also played volleyball for a few years. I currently have hobbies that include; hiking, camping, carpentry, electrical work (wiring houses), collecting rare/gorgeous Barbie dolls via Barbiecollector.com, collecting tiger themed stuff, and being with my family!

    I live in Buffalo NY in the USA

  57. Soccer! Goals are hard-won, beautiful to behold, and need teamwork to achieve. All different body types can play.

  59. I (still) am a NFL Fan–The NY Giants to be precise. The violence and injuries of the game make me wince and think about this choice. But to watch an offense and defense square off, to see the battle of coaches as expressed by the players…its gold.

    Frank Gifford just passed away. They showed a clip of his “Greatest play”. QB snapped the ball, handed it off to him.. He rolled right and as a LB came at him, he jumped up in the air, and threw the ball to a receiver in the end zone for a touchdown.

    That’s magic.

    USA. Minnesota (but you knew THAT 🙂 )

  60. I love tennis, though admittedly more of a spectator.

    And I’m really looking forward to COURT OF FIVES! Am based in the UK.

  61. I miss fencing so much, but alas, I get to be an old warrior these days. I have taken up the traditional garden-tending, which I enjoy immensely. The bunnies may have eaten all the corn, but I have successfully grown melons, which makes me happy.

    I’m in the USA.

  62. The closest thing to a sport I enjoy is those treetop adventure courses. I’ve always been a tree climber.

    (Canadian here.)

  63. I’m not a big fan of sports, but I love watching a good movie or reading a good book, it is as if I could travel to other worlds without leaving your seat.

    I am international/ Brasil

  64. I’ve always loved swimming. When I was younger I’d desperately convince myself I was a mermaid. I think I believed it most of the time.

    Then I started team swimming, and still find the individual act soothing and also incredibly challenging. I’ll happily admit to still imagining what it would be like to be a mermaid, sometimes.

    ~New York

  65. Over the years I have tried to get into sports but I have never been successful.
    My father was a big football fan (as in soccer) but I never inherited the love of Tottenham Hotspur.

    Music was and is my sport. Never for the competitive aspect but for the honing of a craft and wanting to improve on the guitar, bass, and drums. Spending hours at a time learning scales and my favorite tunes and pushing myself to be the next Steve Vai.
    Although I will never be like Steve Vai, I can have a bloody good time trying.

    (I’m in the UK)

  66. I like watching baseball, and since I’ve gotten into that it’s brought me closer to my dad. Some hobbies: sewing, Sims, and reading.

    From the US

  69. My favorite sport is running. I love the personal challenge it provides and the peace you find when out on a trail somewhere. I’ll admit I kind of jog/walk instead of run because my ankles just don’t work right, but when I participate in 5K events I’m always super inspired by the positive attitudes and healthy lifestyles of those I’m surrounded by. All they care about it is that you are there and that you work towards improving yourself. That is why I love running… because I love runners.

  70. I love watching sport and hard to pick a favorite: Love to watch, Rugby (Union), Soccer and Basketball.
    Kids involved with basketball all through their lives: they both play, coach and referee at able bodied and wheelchair basketball. To keep me entertained at games I became a score-bench official! Keeps me off the streets 🙂

  71. I love archery. It feels good to hit the target right in the center. It’s like a form of meditation. You need to control your breathing and relax.

    I’m domesticated. From NY.

  72. My favorite sports include the ocean. I love to surf, paddle canoe, SUP, and waterski. I also enjoy non water activities. One being hiking our beautiful trails on O’ahu.
    Enjoying nature’s beauty brings peace.

  73. My favourite sport is figure skating. I spent a lot of my childhood og teenage years on the ice. I really love the sense of calm and concentration that is required, along with the sense of control of every little movement.
    (International).

  74. I’ll have to say climbing. I love it because it demands total concentration of both body and mind, so there’s just no way I can bring my everyday worries with me up in the wall. And I also love it because I’m slightly uncomfortable with hights, and climbing allows me to face my fears and overcome them on a regular basis.

    I’m based in Europe, which doesn’t feel very international to me, but I guess is in this context.

  75. I am generally allergic to taking part in sport myself, but I am passionate about watching rugby, sometimes in blazing sun, sometimes huddled up in the dark and cold and ice of the stands. It seems to me to be a true gladiatorial contest, where bodies and hearts are put on the touchline. It’s muddy and dirty and real – and although there’s sometimes bad behaviour on the pitch, it’s the exception rather than the rule, and the crowd are always good-humoured and linked in friendly rivalry. The adrenaline rush of seeing ‘my’ teams score a last-minute try is like nothing else!

  77. My favorite sport would have to be barrel racing/horseback riding! And I live in the U.S. (:

  78. Do (Asian) Martial Arts count as sport? If yes, that’s my favorite, because it’s for body *and* mind. If not, I don’t like sports. Dancing would also be a candidate, because it’s with music, but partners are much harder to find than for Martial Arts.
    My favorite pastime are games, however, especially pen & paper roleplaying.
    (International)

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