Blog Tour Guest Post: Arwen Elys Dayton

Today I am participating in the blog tour for Disruptor by Arwen Elys Dayton!  This is the last book in the Seeker series and for my stop on the tour I have Arwen with us!  She stopped by to talk her series ending and her feelings that accompany it.

I wrote the manuscript for the first book in the series, Seeker, with no idea if anyone other than myself, my husband, and my fluffy white little dog would read it. (I secretly suspected that my dog wasn’t actually reading the manuscript, but she did lie down on top of the pages a few times in an interested sort of way, and once she licked a word that happened to be misspelled—coincidence???) My book before Seeker, Resurrection, had been a bit of a cult sci-fi hit, but with Seeker I was writing something for a younger audience—a new enterprise. I saw the world of Quin and Shinobu and John and Maud so clearly in my mind, but hey, you never know what’s going to happen once your book is done.

When Penguin Random House bought Seeker, I was elated because other people had stepped into Quin’s world and they wanted to stay there. “But how many books will you be writing?” they asked me, as though I carry around some sort of book-writing accountant in my head who knows the logical answer to questions like that.

“Um…three?” I speculated. This felt about right, though honestly, I could have said any number between two and six and it probably would have felt right, because the world of Seeker was bristling with stories. And yet it was particularly the story of Quin, Shinobu, John and Maud that I saw rolling out in front of me. “Definitely three,” I added a moment later, with less of a question mark in my voice. “Sounds good,” they said.

“Sounds good.” Two simple words. And with that I embarked on a few years of writing. It turns out that seeing the story unfolding in your mind, and actually making it unfold in real words on real paper, for several books, are two different things. But here’s what you don’t know until you’ve written a series: watching your characters change (sometimes for the better, sometimes not) and hate and love and make mistakes, which they try to put them right or insist already are right—all of this is a hazardous and intoxicating experience for an author.

If you have been following the Seeker series, you might imagine that you know where or how Quin and the others will end up. I can promise you that you are wrong (especially about John!), because I didn’t know where or how they would end up, not really, until the last book.

I’ve lost some close friends, now that I have left these characters to go on without me. And yet I’m satisfied that I told their story properly, and truly, which doesn’t mean that there is a happy ending for everyone. Someone once said that a good story strikes a balance between satisfying and defying the reader’s expectations. These stories and the characters that populate them have satisfied and defied me many times—and I hope they do the same for you.

 I love Arwen's answer because I have always been curious if an author is just as sad as I am when a series ends.  I usually try my hardest not to finish a series because I don't want to lose characters either, but I just have to read Disruptor!  I have to know where each character ends up and I have a feeling Arwen will keep me guessing til the last page!

Keep a look out for my review soon!

Disruptor (Seeker #3) by Arwen Elys Dayton

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Release Date: February 7th, 2017

Purchase: Amazon

For readers of Sarah J. Maas and of Marie Lu’s Legend trilogy comes Disruptor, the sequel to Traveler, the thrilling conclusion to the Seeker series.

Quin has spent her life as her father’s pawn. She was trained to kill and manipulated to guarantee her family’s power. And now that she’s broken free of that life, she’s found herself trapped again, hostage to a plot that has been centuries in the making.

It’s taken generations for the pieces to come together, and finally all is in place. Her best friend Shinobu’s mind has been corrupted, the Young Dread has aligned with her enemy John, and the bloodthirsty Watchers are being awakened and gathered. Now there is nothing that can stop the force of time.

But Quin will no longer be a pawn. Quin is a Seeker. She stands for light in a shadowy world. She will face the vengeance of the past and its enemies and save herself and the ones she loves, or she will die trying.

“Readers of the first two volumes will find their long-awaited conclusion here, and Dayton will have found fans for life.” -Booklist

Other books in the series

“Katniss and Triss would approve.” -TeenVogue.com

“In this powerful beginning to a complex family saga…Dayton excels at creating memorable characters.” -Publishers Weekly

In the Seeker series, a teenage girl called Quin has spent most of her life training for what she believes is a noble purpose, only to discover that her family is turning her into an assassin instead.

“Fans of Veronica Roth’s Divergent, Marie Lu’s Legend, and Suzanne Collins’s The Hunger Games series: your next obsession has arrived.” -School Library Journal

Quin has grown up in the remote Scotland Highlands, where she and two boys her age—one her oldest friend, and one her boyfriend—have spent years preparing to inherit two ancient artifacts, which have been handed down in their families for hundreds of years.
 These artifacts allow them to do astonishing things, including appearing and disappearing from anywhere in the world. Quin expects to inherit this power for noble purposes, but her father intends to use her as an assassin, plain and simple.

“Both past and present choices shook me to the core, and the final pages left me trembling . . . and then internally cursing that I’ll have to wait until 2017 for a final resolution!” -Fanboy Comics

The story is set in the near future, in a world where the hooded cloaks of Seekers and ancient Scottish ruins live comfortably next to futuristic airships and advanced medical techniques. It’s into this world that we watch Quin try to escape when she discovers the fate that’s waiting for her. And it is in this world that Quin is followed, helped, betrayed and abandoned by those she trusted the most.

Don't forget to check out the other amazing blogs on the tour!

February 6^th - Winterhaven Books

                           Adventures in YA Publishing

February 7^th - The Cover Contessa

February 8^th - Unbound Worlds   

February 9^th - The Eater of Books!

February 10^th - Once Upon a Twilight

February 11^th - Adventures in YA Publishing

February 13^th - A Dream Within A Dream

February 14^th - Two Chicks on Books

February 15^th - Seeing Double in Neverland

February 16^th - Mundie Moms

February 17^th - Take Me Away to a Great Read

February 21^st - Bookhounds YA

February 22^nd - The Reading Nook Reviews

February 23^rd - The Fandom

February 24^th - Page Turners Blog

February 27^th - Fiction Fare

February 28^th - YA Books Central          

Review: Finders Keepers (Rebels of the Lamp #2) by Michael M.B. Galvin, Peter Speakman

Finders Keepers (Rebels of the Lamp #2) by Michael M.B. Galvin, Peter Speakman
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Release Date: February 7th, 2017
Purchase: Amazon

After Parker and his friends destroyed the evil genie, Xaru, they awoke an even greater threat: Vesiroth. An immortal sorcerer who was frozen for centuries is now free, and he’s determined to finish what he had started—taking over the world. In order to accomplish his goal he must find the Elicuum Helm, an ancient object that will grant the user extraordinary powers. But the helm was broken into three pieces many years ago, and now Parker, along with his genie, Fon-Rham, his cousin Theo, Reese and Vesiroth’s former protégé, will have to travel the globe to find the helm first before it's too late.

My Thoughts:
This second book in the Rebels of the Lamp series was just as exciting, but a bit darker in my opinion.  I liked it, but I am struggling with labeling these as middle grade.

The story opens up with Parker, Reese, and Theo enjoying the benefits of having a genie for a friend.  Everyday they get to go on adventures and live life to its fullest.  Lurking in the shadows those is Vesiroth and he is ready to take back his life and wreck havoc on all of mankind.

Rebels of the Lamp itself was dark and like I said in my previous review had quite a bit of killing within its pages.  Finders Keepers has the same, but it felt like the killing numbers were doubled and there are a few scenes I am struggling with.  I think the authors could have chosen a different way to get rid of certain characters that would have kept this book more in the middle grade lane.  That being said though I do think middle school boys will devour this one just as much as the first and will probably all love the way certain characters met their demise haha.  

My favorite part was how exciting the story line was.  I loved seeing all the magic and never knowing when the next strike from the Path or Vesiroth would be!  It was so fast paced and exciting!!

I still very much liked the characters.  Parker showed he was loyal to his friends and I appreciated his loyalty.  I think he grew up a bit between the last book and this one and it was nice to see.  I also really liked Professor Ellison.  She is tough and cold, but I am very intrigued by her and I can't wait to see where her story goes next.  Theo puzzled me a bit though and I am very curious where his story line go probably the most out of all the characters.  He has some issues going on that need working out and I hope he figures things out soon.

All in all this was another fun addition to the Rebels of the Lamp series and that ending definitely set the stage for a great third book.  I am attached to this series and I can not wait to see what happens next!!  I think the next book will be the best one yet!

4 snowflakes

 

 

Review: The Cursed Queen by Sarah Fine

The Cursed Queen by Sarah Fine
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Release Date: January 3rd, 2017
Purchase: Amazon

Ansa has always been a fighter.

As a child, she fought the invaders who murdered her parents and snatched her as a raid prize. She fought for her place next to Thyra, the daughter of the Krigere Chieftain. She fought for her status as a warrior in her tribe: blood and victory are her way of life. But the day her Krigere cross the great lake and threaten the witch queen of the Kupari, everything changes.

Cursed by the queen with fire and ice, Ansa is forced to fight against an invisible enemy—the dark magic that has embedded itself deep in her bones. The more she seeks to hide it, the more dangerous it becomes. And with the Krigere numbers decimated and the tribe under threat from the traitorous brother of the dead Chieftain, Ansa is torn between her loyalty to the Krigere, her love for Thyra, and her own survival instincts.

With her world in chaos and each side wanting to claim her for their own, only one thing is certain: unless Ansa can control the terrible magic inside her, everything she’s fought for will be destroyed.

My Thoughts:
The Impostor Queen was one of my top favorites of last year and I was SUPER excited to get my hands on The Cursed Queen.  TIQ left off at such a dangerous place that I just knew TCQ would be explosive.  Well to my surprise, this installment takes us back to before Elli's adventures and to a place where trouble is brewing among the Krigere tribe.

I wasn't really happy when I found out this book was about totally new characters, but by the second chapter I was all in!  The Krigere tribe is actually pretty horrible. They are raiders and they live by taking what's not theirs.  I liked the fierceness of the people, but I was a bit uncomfortable when raids were being described.  It was pretty horrible, but thankfully the author chose to make these just stories and not something we had to witness through the characters eyes first hand.  That being said I found the Krigere tribe quite fascinating.

The story itself like I said takes place at the same time as Elli's story.  If you remember in the beginning of TIQ the Valita goes out to sea to stop raiders. Well you guessed it these are those same raiders.  We get to see the aftermath of the Valita's destruction and yes it is as crazy as you would imagine.  The Krigere are left without their chieftain and must rally around his daughter who does not share the same principles.  From the beginning it is a hard road from Thyra's (the daughter) pleas to start a new way of life to the fight bigger than anyone saw coming.

I will say that I liked this story.  It was stronger than TIQ at times and weaker at others.  One thing I wasn't fond of was the romance.  I thought Fine strayed from her path in TIQ and I feel like in this one she is just trying to hard.  I liked Ansa and I was excited to see her drawn to Thyra, but the back and forth got to be a bit much and I didn't like the inclusion of Jaspar.  It felt almost too similar to TIQ and I was a bit upset that Fine wouldn't just go there with her characters.  She moved in a better direction this time, but it all still felt like she wasn't sure she wanted her characters to love each other.  For me this became a distraction and took away from some of the things Ansa was going through.  I wanted to focus more on the "curse" Ansa was given and see if she could tame this new side of herself.  By her constantly complaining about being discarded as Thyra's wolf I lost the momentum.

Speaking of being Thyra's wolf, I wasn't happy with Thyra for most of the story.  She kept Ansa in the dark about so much and it really ticked me off.  I know the whys, but if she had included her and chosen to stand with her things could have gone so much better.  Miscommunication is a peeve of mine and these two just could not get on the same page!  So frustrating!

Even with all that though I still liked the story for the most part.  I found it went hand in hand with the first one really well and Fine did a great job weaving these two stories together.  I am excited to see what the third installment will bring because I'm not sure it will be as explosive as I want it to be.  This one ended on a happier note that the previous book and it seems like all the peace is all that is wanted from the parties left standing, but I know things will not be that easy for either side so I am anticipating a blow up somewhere along the way.

3 snowflakes

Review: Rebel Spring by Morgan Rhodes

Rebel Spring by Morgan Rhodes
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date: December 3, 2013
Purchase: Amazon

The road to power... is paved with blood and magic.

Cleo is now a prisoner in her own palace, forced to be an ambassador for Mytica as the evil King Gaius lies to her people.
Magnus stands to eventually inherit the new kingdom but is still obsessed with his feelings for his adopted sister, Lucia.
Lucia is haunted by the outcome of the breathtaking display of magic that allowed her father to capture the kingdoms.
Jonas watched at the palace gates a troop of rebels behind him, waiting for him to tell them how he plans to overtake King Gaius.

After a bloody siege, Auranos has been defeated, its young queen orphaned and dethroned. The three kingdoms—Auranos, Limeros, and Paelsia—are now unwillingly united as one country called Mytica. But the allure of ancient, dangerous magic beckons still, and with it the chance to rule not just Mytica, but the whole world over...

At the heart of the fray are four brave young people grappling for that magic and the power it promises. For Cleo, the magic would enable her to reclaim her royal seat. In Jonas's hands, it frees his nation, and in Lucia's, it fulfills the ancient prophecy of her destiny. And if the magic were Magnus's, he would finally prove his worth in the eyes of his cruel and scheming father, King Gaius, who rules Mytica with a punishing hand.

When Gaius begins to build a road into the Forbidden Mountains to physically link all of Mytica, he sparks a long-smoking fire in the hearts of the people that will forever change the face of this land. For Gaius's road is paved with blood, and its construction will have cosmic consequences.

My Thoughts:
PEOPLE!!  This book OMG this book!!  Morgan Rhodes has crafted a fantasy that is so brilliant and just my gawd just everything I have EVER wanted in a fantasy novel.  This is YA at its absolute finest and my favorite book of 2015!

Rhodes definitely does not suffer from middle book syndrome.   Rebel Spring is just as explosive as its predecessor and honestly even more so in some areas.  The story is so intricately woven throughout that every page has a purpose.  There are no wasted words or filler here let me tell you.  I am completely blown away by what this author has created.  COMPLETELY!

Again I won't go into the story because it's a very complicated one and one that I know I won't do justice to.  And honestly I don't want to spoil it for anyone.  The story is that good to where I would totally tell all my friends to go in blind.  Don't read a synopsis, don't read a summary, just go in and experience.  I have never said that before so that should tell you something.

I've come to find out that Rhodes is fearless with her characters and will kill anyone off at the drop of hat.  I think she's killed off like ten people so far and everyone of them was important!  Who does this!!??  Even after so many have been killed off I still find myself shocked when it happens.  I'm beginning to get a little blood lust myself though because now when I smell death in a scene I'm starting to chant die die die!  This I know can't be a good thing, but I blame Rhodes and her fearlessness!

The characters have continued to grow and change and a few scare me more in this one.  Magnus is a loose cannon and I'm terrified of what his plans ultimately are.  I'm also finding is fascinating that so many characters have an evil streak!  This appeals to the darker side of me and I love it!  I was shocked at quite a few dark turns this book took, but it totally fits right in with the story and I have no complaints.

One thing I find hilarious is the romance in this series. I've just said that Rhodes will kill anybody and this has proven to serve more than one purpose.  I despise love triangles and throughout this story I've smelled a few of them. Well let me tell you if these pesky triangles bother you too, then you need not worry.  Every time I would groan and think NO I don't want a triangle within a few chapters one side of the triangle would meet their end.  LOVE THIS!  I again know this isn't quite normal for me to feel, but really what better way to deal with triangles??  I think this should be standard in books now with love triangles!

I'm beyond excited to continue on with this series.  It is beyond epic and one that I will definitely not let fall to the wayside as I have done with so many series as of late.  Bring on Gathering Darkness!

Another Blizzard Read!

Review: Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Mass

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Mass

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Release Date: September 1, 2015

Purchase: Amazon

The queen has returned.

Everyone Celaena Sardothien loves has been taken from her. But she’s at last returned to the empire—for vengeance, to rescue her once-glorious kingdom, and to confront the shadows of her past…

She has embraced her identity as Aelin Galathynius, Queen of Terrasen. But before she can reclaim her throne, she must fight.

She will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die for her. She will fight for her friend, a young man trapped in an unspeakable prison. And she will fight for her people, enslaved to a brutal king and awaiting their lost queen’s triumphant return.

The fourth volume in the New York Times bestselling series contrinues Celaena’s epic journey and builds to a passionate, agonizing crescendo that might just shatter her world.

My Thoughts:

Sarah J, Maas knocks it out of the park with The Shadow Queen. It's dark, deadly, unforgiving, and one hell of an Epic story. The Shadow Queen by far is my favorite in this fantastic series. There's never a dull moment and Ms. Maas certainly knows how to throw a wrench into the mix, proving her mastery foreshadowing skills. This was everything I could have hoped for and soooo much more.

So much happened in this book that honestly, it's going to be hard to sum it up. With the many perspectives and story lines weaved in, I'm going to hit on more of my perspective vs everything that transpired.

This installment was a whopper and so much happened! Literally, my head was spinning with all the twists. Damn....she pulled those off unlike anything I've read which was impressive. The layering...wow. Just, WOW. I would have loved to be a little birdie on her shoulder while she plotted this thing out—to see how she pieced everything together so seamlessly.

At the beginning I was shocked Aelin convinced Rowan to stay behind while she sail off to Ardalan to see Arobyn and retrieve the Amulet of Orynth from him b/c it's actually a Wyrdkey and if he knew the power it possessed, trouble would abound. And I mean LET her, because we all know that Rowan wouldn't allow Aelin to get away with anything without his consent. I was certain he'd pull out some macho mojo and convince her it wouldn't happen without him, but Aelin and Rowan's relationship had transformed into more, therefor giving her more respect and control.  (Though Aelin had a lover in the past, and had connected with Chaol and Prince Dorian, it was great so see the chemistry strengthen between Aelin and Rowan. I like seeing character growth, but I am a sucker for a tough girl falling in love, fighting for that chance regardless of whatever the unsure future holds.)

Aelin character went from awesome to unforgettable. Smart, cunning, and clever/sneaky as hell. But when Arobyn informed her that Aedion Ashryver (her cousin) was to destined to the gallows, her plan had to be altered. She made a deal with Arobyn. She would deliver one Valg demon (which feed on fear, misery, despair. The collars are stronger, capable of helping the demons stay inside human bodies while they devour the person and power inside) in exchange for assistance in rescuing and a safe return of Aedion Ashryver, the Wolf of the North.

The king was a cruel and awful as ever, and upped the anti by slapping one of those darn collars around his son, Prince Dorian's neck after he realized his son had magic. He would use him as his little puppet. Aelin knew what those collars did to people and hoped that Dorian could fight the prince demon inside of him long enough to be saved. In the long run, actually Manon the witch, was the only one to be able to get through to see the Prince was still in there. The demon inside was afraid of her.

I can't possibly tell you the entirety of my thoughts and everything that happened in this book, because it would be a book in itself. I'm just going to say that new friendships/understandings were developed between powerful players that I think will be essential in the next book. (Previously I wasn't a fan of the witch's pov...this changed in The Queen of Shadows.) A few characters are killed off, a few new characters are introduced (I feel one will play a vital role at some point) and unbelievable obstacles are defeated when all odds were stacked against them. Triumph came in many forms. The romantic elements added a welcomed spark to lighten some of the darker times, and I cannot wait for the next book...the next step in Rowan and Aelin's relationship as it goes to the next level (squee). The history of the clans, amulets, wyrdkeys, Fae, and the explanation from the King of Ardalan.

READ THIS SERIES PEOPLE! You won't regret it.

5 snowflakes

Review:Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes

Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date: December 11th, 2012
Purchase: Amazon

In the three kingdoms of Mytica, magic has long been forgotten. And while hard-won peace has reigned for centuries, a deadly unrest now simmers below the surface.

As the rulers of each kingdom grapple for power, the lives of their subjects are brutally transformed... and four key players, royals and rebels alike, find their fates forever intertwined. Cleo, Jonas, Lucia, and Magnus are caught in a dizzying world of treacherous betrayals, shocking murders, secret alliances, and even unforeseen love.

The only outcome that's certain is that kingdoms will fall. Who will emerge triumphant when all they know has collapsed?

It's the eve of war.... Choose your side.

Princess: Raised in pampered luxury, Cleo must now embark on a rough and treacherous journey into enemy territory in search of magic long thought extinct.

Rebel: Jonas, enraged at injustice, lashes out against the forces of oppression that have kept his country cruelly impoverished. To his shock, he finds himself the leader of a people's revolution centuries in the making.

Sorceress: Lucia, adopted at birth into the royal family, discovers the truth about her past—and the supernatural legacy she is destined to wield.

Heir: Bred for aggression and trained to conquer, firstborn son Magnus begins to realise that the heart can be more lethal than the sword.... 

My Thoughts:
Holy majoely!!  When people said Falling Kingdoms was exactly like Game of Thrones (my favorite show ever) I was like yeah okay it's YA how can in be exactly like a show that is so very far from YA.  Well I stand completely corrected!  Game of Thrones has murder, war, blood, spies, kings, and magic.  Falling Kingdoms has murder, war, blood, spies, kings, and magic too!  Really the only different I found is that Game of Thrones has dragons and Falling Kingdoms doesn't...yet.

Now don't think that this is a rip off of Game of Thrones.  Falling Kingdoms can definitely hold it's own and the actual storyline is completely different I assure you.  I honestly like Rhodes storyline better than my favorite show so that should tell you something!

I won't even try to summarize this book, there's just too much going on.  Rhodes weaved an incredible story and its only just starting with this book.  I was completely captivated from the beginning and it took me only 2 days to read this 400+ page book. The story is that good.  I loved that i never knew what was coming on the next page and I learned really early on that Rhodes is ruthless with her characters. Just when you start to care about somebody BAM they die!  I mean who does this so early on in a series!  Since these characters who were major characters in my eyes were sacrificed so early on I honestly can't wait to meet who sticks around.

There were two things that bothered me though and they were both oddly enough the romances for certain characters.  I didn't like that one was so fast and the other I didn't like it involved siblings.  The one that was fast could have been okay if the author would have shown more scenes between the two involved.  If I had seen their love grow I could have accepted it a bit more.  The other well siblings that doesn't need much explanation.  I will say that events happened to help with both of these situations so I was a happy camper by the end.

I also didn't mind the insinuation of triangles.  Morgan Rhodes does a great job at incorporating the plot lines that you just feel like everything is there for a reason.

I know just from this first book this story will be EPIC!!!  I know I haven't given much detail about this story, but really with epic high fantasy it's just too hard!  Everything about this book was spot on and incredible.  That's what you need to know!  To tell you anything would be taking away the joy of meeting Cleo, Jonas, Theon, and Mangus for the first time and you need to meet them without knowing who they are.  Trust me you don't want to know too much!!

This is another blizzard read for me and I know the rest of the series will be the same.  Morgan Rhodes you are brilliant!!

Blizzard Read

 

Review: Traffick by Ellen Hopkins

Traffick by Ellen Hopkins
Publisher:
Release Date: November 3, 2015
Purchase: Amazon

Five teens victimized by sex trafficking try to find their way to a new life in this riveting companion to the New York Times bestselling Tricks from Ellen Hopkins, author of Crank.

In her bestselling novel, Tricks, Ellen Hopkins introduced us to five memorable characters tackling these enormous questions: Eden, the preacher’s daughter who turns tricks in Vegas and is helped into a child prostitution rescue; Seth, the gay farm boy disowned by his father who finds himself without money or resources other than his own body; Whitney, the privileged kid coaxed into the life by a pimp and whose dreams are ruined in a heroin haze; Ginger, who runs away from home with her girlfriend and is arrested for soliciting an undercover cop; and Cody, whose gambling habit forces him into the life, but who is shot and left for dead.

And now, in Traffick, these five are faced with the toughest question of all: Is there a way out? How these five teenagers face the aftermath of their decisions and experiences is the soul of this story that exposes the dark, ferocious underbelly of the child trafficking trade. Heartwrenching and hopeful, Traffick takes us on five separate but intertwined journeys through the painful challenges of recovery, rehabilitation, and renewal to forgiveness and love. All the way home. 

My thoughts:
I read Tricks a few years ago and it was one book that really stayed with me.  It was my first Ellen Hopkins book, definitely not my last, but the one that never left my thoughts.  When I discovered Ms. Hopkins was writing a sequel I wasn't sure what to think at first.  My heart hurt after Tricks so I wasn't sure I could go down that road again, but I just couldn't let these characters stay in limbo so I picked up Traffick and I am so happy I did.

Tricks was pure destruction.  Ellen Hopkins took five teenagers and threw them into the fire of child trafficking.  I was completely devastated after Tricks and I realized after reading Traffick that I needed this sequel.  Where Tricks was destruction, Traffick was restoration of the human soul.  Was it all pretty no, not in the least I mean come on its Ellen Hopkins.  What it was though was beautiful in parts, gut wrenching in others, and hopeful throughout.

I wanted the HEA for these characters.  Some got it some didn't quite get the pretty bow tied in a knot, but there was hope that they could if they worked hard.  This novel shows what can happen when you are given hope and a chance.  All these kids needed was a little help from someone and they all realized they needed to turn their lives around.  It was easierish for some, but the struggle was real for everyone of them.

I think I fell most in love with Cody.  I remember thinking his story wasn't as strong as the others, but his rehab story was one of the strongest because of his aftermath from Tricks.  I felt connected to each character this time around though honestly.  I hoped with all my heart that they would each find their way again and I was scared one or more of them would fall off their path.  I won't say what happens because I don't want to give spoilers. I will say each story was unique and heartbreaking at the same time and I really and truly loved Ellen Hopkins for giving her readers this second chance with her characters.

5 snowflakes

 

Blog Tour: Interview, Giveaway, & Review Firewalker (Worldwalker, #2) by Josephine Angelini

 Today on WinterHaven Books we have the amazing Josephine Angelini with us again!!  I'm still squeeing about this by the way!  She is stopping by to answer a few of my questions so take a look!

Welcome Josephine!

1. WOW! I mean WOWWW! Josephine I am completely blown away by Firewalker!  Did you have any idea how much of a punch this sequel would have?
Thank you so much for saying that! I really went for it with this book and tried to make it as unexpected as possible. I think that YA readers have grown so sophisticated that they are looking for something new in terms of storyline. I did my best to really reach out with my plotting and find things that made sense for my characters but that didn’t have the same old same old feel. I tried to go for as much emotional punch as possible.  It’s fantastic that you had the response you did. Makes me very happy.

2. I have to give you major credit because I hated Tristan in the first one and you made me love him in this one! I didn't think that was possible! Was Tristan's character hard to write?
He was hard to write because so many of my beta readers had certain expectations for Tristan. I think everyone saw them as being destined to be together because they grew up together, but that’s not how I saw it. The first person you fall for is rarely the person you end up with. But it was strange for me to see how many people were ticked off by that. I never saw Tristan as a good choice for Lily, although is he so entertaining!

3. How did you come up with the idea of the Woven? They are beyond creepy by the way!!
The Woven were an idea that transplanted from another book that I never finished and that will probably never see the light of day. They are something that scares me, so I had to use them somehow. Just a tip for aspiring writers—never throw anything away. You may get half way through a book and realize that the story isn’t going anywhere, but that doesn’t mean that elements of that book can’t be used later. The Woven were that for me.

4. Who is your favorite to write Lily or Lillian?
In Trial by Fire it was Lily, in Firewalker it was Lillian, and in the last book it’s Lily again.

5. Do you ever see yourself writing a spinoff? The world you have created is so fascinating and I know I'm definitely going to want more after this series is finished! *Crosses fingers*
Aw, thanks! I hadn’t thought of a spin off, but the end of the third book definitely leaves opportunities for other books written in this world. I haven’t gotten as far as to think up a specific plot yet, but I won’t say no if there’s a demand for it.

6. Are you working on anything at the moment? If so can you share any details?
I’ve just finished the third book and I’m going into edits for it soon. Right now I’m just focusing on spending as much time with my family as I can before I go on tour.

Thank you so much for the interview, Crystal!

This honestly was one of my favorite interviews ever!  I love love love Josephine's answers and now I want Traitor's Pyre even more!!  I simply CAN.NOT.WAIT!!!  Josephine you are amazing!  Thank you so so much for stopping by!

Giveaway time!!!

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Firewalker (Worldwalker, #2) by Josephine Angelini
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Release Date: September 1, 2015
Purchase: Amazon

Worlds divide, magic slays, and love lies in the second book of Josephine Angelini’s The Worldwalker Trilogy.

"You think I’m a monster, but my choices, as ruthless as they seem, are justified."

Lily is back in her own universe, and she's ready to start a new life with Rowan by her side. True, she almost died in the Pyre that fueled their escape from New Salem, and must hide her magic for the safety of everyone she cares about, but compared to fighting the Woven, the monstrous creatures inhabiting the alternate Salem, life is looking pretty good.

Unfortunately, Lillian, ruthless ruler of the 13 Cities, is not willing to let Lily go that easily. If she can’t persuade Lily to return to her world, she will force her to come back by doing away with the ones she loves.

Picking up right where Trial By Fire left off, Firewalker is another sexy, fast-paced, heartbreaking thrill ride from internationally bestselling author Josephine Angelini!

My thoughts:
I've read many sequels before and while not all of them worked some did and managed to stay out of that dreaded "filler" category.  I was a little worried about Firewalker because I adored Trial by Fire and I didn't want the sequel to disappoint.  I needn't have worried because Firewalker is the best sequel I have EVER read and I am not saying that lightly.  I finished this last night and I am still squeeing and dying over what happened!

The story takes off right where Trial by Fire ended with Lily and Rowan world jumping back to her world and time.  This is where I thought the story would fall off and be filter.  I was so so wrong!  The story not only continues to move it does so rapidly and does not slow down the entire book.  I loved all the twists and turns that were thrown out and OH MY GAWD there is a huge bomb that had me on the edge of my seat!  This new twist could mean everything for Lillians world and I cannot wait to see what happens!!

Lily has really grown to be one of if not my favorite female character. She is strong and does what she has to do to save her people.  I respect her decisions and definitely rooted for her throughout the book.  I knew things were going to get tough for her between her and Rowan and while I wasn't wrong they didn't get as bad as I thought and I feel like the author is doing an amazing job at keeping the teenage angst at bay.  I for one appreciate this.  I am not sure what will become of a certain distraction, but I am hoping for the best since Ms. Angelini hasn't let me down yet!

I think my biggest surprise is Tristan. If you remember my previous review I couldn't stand him at all.  He was the supposed first love for Lily and he treated her like garbage.  While I still don't forgive him I do actually love him!  He definitely stepped up was there for Lily when she needed him the most. He explains himself and again I can't forgive him, but I can understand his side a little and they are young so forever is a long time when you are young.  He does regret what he did and knows certain events happened because of his carelessness.  I can't be mad at him anymore.  I have to say this takes a strong writer to make my hate of a character turn into love.  Brilliant job Josephine!

I have to mention the flashbacks with Lillian.  I don't know exactly why, but I have been intrigued with her from the get go and seeing through her eyes has just made me more so.  I can't believe what she went through and what she did, but I am feeling my allegiances switch a little and it's a weird feeling for sure.  I don't think I have ever switched sides so totally before in a series.  I really like how the author is showing us piece be piece what motivated Lillian and making her readers second guess what they thought was the right path.  Lillian is still a monster, but maybe she isn't as cold blooded as I originally thought.

If you loved the first book you will devour this one as well!  It has so much in it and like I said I am still amazed even 10 hours later.  I am dying for the third in this series and I can guarantee that when I get my hands on it I won't have forgotten one detail if this book. It truly is amazing!

Blizzard Read!! 

Previous books in series:
 
Trial by Fire                                     Rowan





 

Review & Interview: Ink and Bone (The Great Library, #1) by Rachel Caine

Today on WinterHaven Books we have the amazing Rachel Caine with us!!  She has graciously answered a few of my questions and I have to say her answers are some of my favorites ever!  Take a look!

1. Ink and Bone really made me think about how it is more common now to see someone reading an electronic device rather than holding a physical book. Do you think your story could become a somewhat reality for our world later in the future?
I don't think it will ever become a complete reality; print will always have a place, especially since data, by its very natural, is even more ephemeral and subject to destruction. Plus, we have printed books, reproduced and available, so I don't think the situation of the Great Library will be quite the same. But I do foresee a possibility that a monolithic retailer like Amazon will drive print bookstores to the brink, then (as they already are doing) seek to force publishing companies out as well, to control authors directly. Once that happens, and we have one "outlet" for our work ... anything can happen.
I'm not saying Amazon is evil. I'm saying that competition is always good for creators.

2. Your story was very dark at times and I personally loved it. Will the future books in the series stay with the same dark tone?
Yes, very likely. Jess's situation is that he is seeing the dark side of the Library, and though we will also see the bright side, the one full of passionate idealists and bravery, there's no doubt he's up against enemies willing to go to any extreme to preserve their power, under the guise of the good of everyone. I can't see that's going to be easy.

3. Who was your favorite character to write?
I go back and forth, but I love a good, snarky character. Jess has his own brand of sarcasm, which I love, but Scholar Wolfe definitely has them all beat for that particular acidic brand of humor. So I love him as well.

4. I am completely heartbroken over the ending! Did you know from the beginning how things would turn out the way they did for each character?
It was a hard choice, but I did know, and though I knew it would give the book a real darkness, I felt it really was necessary to take the characters all the way to the edge. Without giving anything away, though, there are still some surprises to come in Book 2.

5.You created a mind blowing and intricate world. How much research and planning did you do throughout your writing process?
It's a story about 10 years in the making, quite honestly, though for about 9 years of it, it was shiftless and lazy and unformed. I had elements but no unifying idea. It wasn't until 2013 that I really began to put the pieces together, and realized I had a lot of work to do to make this very different world credible, but also convey it in ways that didn't distract the reader too much from the story. So I crafted it over time, and at each point, I kept altering and refining my choices so that the world developed naturally from the decisions the Library itself made. You have to really shape the world around the points of power, and what people will do to hang onto it, so that helped me create the world in which Jess lives.

Thank you very much for these wonderful questions, and I hope you enjoy the rest of Jess's epic adventure!

Rachel

Rachel thank you so much for stopping by!!  This is truly a highlight of my blogging career!  I can't wait to see more of Jess! 

Ink and Bone (The Great Library, #1) by Rachel Caine

Publisher: NAL

Release Date: July 7th, 2015

Purchase: Amazon

Find Rachel: Website / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads

In an exhilarating new series, New York Times bestselling author Rachel Caine rewrites history, creating a dangerous world where the Great Library of Alexandria has survived the test of time.…

Ruthless and supremely powerful, the Great Library is now a presence in every major city, governing the flow of knowledge to the masses. Alchemy allows the Library to deliver the content of the greatest works of history instantly—but the personal ownership of books is expressly forbidden.

Jess Brightwell believes in the value of the Library, but the majority of his knowledge comes from illegal books obtained by his family, who are involved in the thriving black market. Jess has been sent to be his family’s spy, but his loyalties are tested in the final months of his training to enter the Library’s service.

When he inadvertently commits heresy by creating a device that could change the world, Jess discovers that those who control the Great Library believe that knowledge is more valuable than any human life—and soon both heretics and books will burn.…

My thoughts:
Ink and Bone was such a unique read.  Going in I was super excited because the premise sounded absolutely amazing and I am very happy to report that my expectations were totally met and exceeded.

This story is about books which for any reader is well awesome.  In the beginning we learn that Jess works for his family and is a smuggler of rare books. He hides them underneath his clothes and runs routes to his customers.  If caught the punishment is death because all books must stay in the Library. If you have a Codex (an electronic device) you can read just about any book, but people crave the feel of a real book an sometimes go to extreme measures to get their hands on them.  Jess knows this is a dangerous business so when his Dad says he has to go to the Library as part of their program to hopefully secure a job he's somewhat relieved.  Even though he knows he will still have to help his family and that his dad does have ulterior motives, he still wants to go because he loves books.  What happens isn't what he expected and by the end being inside the Library might be just as dangerous as being on the outside.

I will say that while reading this I did get a George R.R. Martin feeling because every time I turned around the cast of characters dwindled.  Rachel Caine is fearless in her writing and honestly I'm a little scared to pick up the sequel.  As with most dystopianish books there are always causalities and usually I am okay with them, but with this story I just don't want to lose anybody else. Jess and his crew are so special and it will truly break my heart of anything happens to them.  I know things will happen though because Caine proved she will do what she needs to, but man I'm terrified.  This won't deter me from reading the sequel though. I have to know what happens!!

The characters were just amazing.  I loved Jess and Morgan especially.  They both did what they had to at times and at others they acted human.  I am really rooting for them even though I know it will be a long road for them after that ending.  I also adored Wolfe and Santi.  They were the adults in the story and they acted like them which I appreciated.  I honestly would love a prequel so I could see why they are the way they are.  I have a feeling their back stories will come out in later books though and that will work too.

Rachel Caine's writing was also phenomenal.  This book was around 360 pages and while it did feel long everything flowed.  When I say it felt long that's not a bad thing.  I love getting lost in books and I find that sometimes books that are around 300 go too quickly.  Ink and Bone was not one of these books.  It is rich in story and very vivid with details.  I loved that it took me an extra few days to finish.  This story deserved the extra time.   

I was truly amazed with this story.  Rachel Caine really made me think that maybe our world will come to this type of future.  Not the magic of course, but the whole smuggling physical copies of books.  Electronic devices are so huge now that I wonder if somewhere in the not to distant future this could be our reality.  If it is I am truly frightened. 

Wonderful story that had me grasping for breath!

4.5 snowflakes

 

Review: Alive (The Generation Trilogy, #1) by Scott Sigler

Alive (The Generation Trilogy, #1) by Scott Sigler
Publisher: Del Ray
Release Date: July 14th, 2015
Purchase: Amazon

From New York Times bestselling author Scott Sigler comes something utterly new: a gripping sci-fi adventure trilogy in the vein of The Hunger Games, Divergent, and The Maze Runner. A group of young adults awake in a mysterious enclosed space with no knowledge of who they are or how they got there…and an indomitable young woman must lead them not only to answers but to survival.

A young woman awakes trapped in an enclosed space. She has no idea who she is or how she got there. With only her instincts to guide her, she escapes her own confinement—and finds she’s not alone. She frees the others in the room and leads them into a corridor filled with the remains of a war long past. The farther these survivors travel, the worse are the horrors they confront. And as they slowly come to understand what this prison is, they realize that the worst and strangest possibilities they could have imagined don’t even come close to the truth. 

My Thoughts:
What did I just read?!!  I have been begging for a book that is creepy and all things dark and this book just gave it to me on a bloodied silver platter!!

Okay so at the end of my ARC the author asks reviewers not to give spoilers which I get.  If I gave even one spoiler away the whole book would be ruined and I think readers need to devour this with knowledge of the secrets held within.  I will tell you that this book is like a lava cake.  You know the ones where you stare at just waiting to cut through the middle to see the dark chocolate rush out at you?  This is just like that cake.  I kept staring at the pages knowing that very soon the author was going to type one word and all these darkly delicious words would come spilling out and boy did they.  I am still in awe over the wickedness that is this authors mind.  Pure brilliant.

The one and only thing that bothered me was the borderline romance/triangle.  Its WAY in the background, but it's still there and this story doesn't need it at all.  I felt like it even cheapened it in a way.  Does every YA novel have to have this?  I'm hoping and praying that soon somebody will write a YA book that has zero romance.  Stop looking at me that way I can't help it.  I want creepy without the side of romance and this book came so close!

Alive is still a fantastic read.  The characters really came alive and I am really hoping this is the beginning of a series.  I think I would be okay if things ended with this book, but there is so much more I want to know. Maybe a prequel would help because really the backstory is the one I am craving.

That's all I am going to say.  I won't spoil anything for you, but if my crazy review hasn't made you want to pick this up then listen to me now.  PICK THIS UP SOON!  It is amazing and gory and just everything I wanted in a creepy book.  Scott Sigler you are on my top ten authors to follow my friend!

4.5 snowflakes

The lovely people at audible have sent us a sample from the audiobook!  I think the audio version would be amazing!!  Take a listen..

Review: Nightborn by Lou Anders

Nightborn by Lou Anders
Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers
Release Date: July 14th, 2015
Purchase: Amazon

From the author of "Frostborn" comes Book 2 in the acclaimed Thrones and Bones fantasy-adventure trilogy for fans of Lloyd Alexander and Brandon Mull.
Karn Korlundsson is a gamer. "Not" a riddle solver. But in order to rescue his best friend, Thianna Frostborn, he will need to travel to the faraway city of Castlebriar (by wyvern), learn how to play a new board game called Charioteers (not a problem), decipher the Riddle of the Horn, and tangle with mysterious elves.
Meet Desstra. She's in training to join the Underhand--the elite agents of the dark elves. When she crosses paths with Karn, she is not all that she appears to be.
Everyone is chasing after the horn of Osius, an ancient artifact with the power to change the world. The lengths to which Karn will go in the name of friendship will be sorely tested. Who knew that solving a riddle could be so deadly?
The novel includes instructions for playing the board game Charioteers. Visit ThronesandBones.com for additional games, maps, character profiles, and more! 

My thoughts:
This was such a fun book!  While I did like the first one, I absolutely adored Nightborn.  It was unique and just a really fun adventure with humans, elves, dwarfs, giants, and gnomes!

Nightborn takes off pretty much where the first left off.  Karn is settling into his new role and learning how to trade and Thianna is off learning more about where her mom came from. All is okay until Karn is whisked away by a wyvern and finds out Thianna is in trouble.  Karn knows he has to help his friend so he sets out on another adventure to find Thianna.

This story is full of adventure and I loved the introduction of the elves. I have always been a sucker for a good elf story and Lou Anders has created some interesting ones.  I would honestly love another book based on just the Shadow Elves, but for now I will take what I can get.  

I really loved the rich world that Anders has created.  Just when I think he can't possibly throw anything else in he does and it fits like a glove!  He has created a huge world that has so many possibilities and I can't wait to see what he comes up with next!

What I lacked in the first installment I more than got with this one.  I fell into this story with ease and I loved looking through Karns eyes as well as his companions.  This also has a very nice balance between action and storytelling.  With some fantasy books they will be heavy on one side of those two, but I found this book to be very balanced which worked great for me. I loved all the history that was woven in, it just gave the book an extra spark.

This is a really fun series that I think adults will also enjoy as well as younger readers.  It definitely kept my attention and I can't wait to read the next installment because not everything was wrapped up nice and neat and I need to find out what happens!!  Plus I think we will finally get to see Thica and I have been dying to see it!!

4 snowflakes

Also I have some exciting news to share!  The first book the Thrones & Bones series, Frostborn, has just been released in paperback TODAY!!  You won't want to miss the first adventure of Karn and Thianna so be sure to click on the links below to purchase your copy!
Amazon / B&N

Meet Karn. He is destined to take over the family farm in Norrøngard. His only problem? He’d rather be playing the board game Thrones and Bones.

Enter Thianna. Half human, half frost giantess. She’s too tall to blend in with other humans but too short to be taken seriously as a giant.

When family intrigues force Karn and Thianna to flee into the wilderness, they have to keep their sense of humor and their wits about them. But survival can be challenging when you’re being chased by a 1,500-year-old dragon, Helltoppr the undead warrior and his undead minions, an evil uncle, wyverns, and an assortment of trolls and giants.

PRAISE
“Frostborn is the fantasy adventure book I wish I’d had when I was a kid.”
–Charlie Jane Anders, i09

“While I cut my fantasy-reading teeth on the works of Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman’s DragonLance and Darksword, I would have gobbled up this book at that age. Hell, I thoroughly enjoyed it at my current age.”
– Rob H. Bedford, SF Signal

“Future fans of Tolkien and George R.R. Martin can happily cut their serial-fantasy teeth on this first book of an eventual series.”
─ Kirkus Reviews

⋆“The setting is rich, the characters well-defined, and the danger ever-paramount. It’s a strong and thoroughly enjoyable start to the Thrones and Bones series.”
─ Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

“. . . adventure fans will enjoy the action, the Norse background, and the occasional flash of humor.”
─ Booklist Reviews

"Anders sculpts a rich world filled with his deep sense of family and fantasy into this powerful journey of discovery and friendship not seen since Alexander first introduced readers to Prydain."
─ Scott Taylor, Art of the Genre

"Lou Anders's FROSTBORN is sure to appeal to young readers looking for a dose of monsters and magic. Not just a classic fantasy romp, Anders's debut novel explores the experience of feeling young and out of place in a world that refuses to see you for who you are—something readers of all ages can identify with."
─James L. Sutter, author of Death's Heretic

ABOUT LOU ANDERS
LOU ANDERS’s research on Norse mythology while writing book one in the Thrones and Bones series, FROSTBORN, turned into a love affair with Viking culture and a first visit to Norway. Anders is the recipient of a Hugo Award for editing and a Chesley Award for art direction. He has published over 500 articles and stories on science fiction and fantasy television and literature. A prolific speaker, Anders regularly attends writing conventions around the country. He and his family reside in Birmingham, Alabama. You can visit Anders online at louanders.com and ThronesandBones.com, on Facebook, and on Twitter at @ThronesandBones.