Blog Tour: Star Wars: Lost Stars by Claudia Gray

Today on WinterHaven Books I am joining in the blog tour for Claudia Gray's new novel Lost Stars hosted by Irish Banana Tours!  For my part of the tour I am casting who I think would rock the Star Wars universe!

Luke Skywalker would be played by Taran Matharu.  To me he Taran fits perfectly.  He's got that young look about him and I bet he would definitely look pretty cute in his Jedi robes!

Princess Leia was a tough one because there are so many beautiful and talented authors out there!  I ended up choosing Morgan Rhodes because in her fantasy series she is fearless so I think she could totally play Leia who is herself pretty fearless.

Han Solo I mean do I even have to give an intro for this one??

Pierce Brown

Obi-Wan Kenobi was another easy one for me.  I am going with John Green because he's been around the YAsphere for a long time and has tons of knowledge which is just what this character has.

Yoda was a fun one for me. I ended up going with Jay Kristoff because I think he would totally rock the Yoda. Plus his characters know how to kick ass with a sword just like Yoda.

Darth Vader!  I always love my villains and this author writes the perfect villain so I think they could definitely pull off old Darth.  Plus his books always give me chills because his books are so creepy and a good Darth Vader needs to be able to give his minions chills!

Well that's it what do you think?!  I had so much fun with this and I would love to know who you think should play these popular characters!

Star Wars meets Romeo and Juliet in this epic YA novel that follows two best friends who find themselves on opposite sides of the war between the Empire and the Rebellion.

This thrilling YA novel gives readers a macro view of some of the most important events in the Star Wars universe: from the purge of the Jedi in Episode III, to the beginnings of the rebellion in Star Wars Rebels, and through the fall of the Empire in Episodes IV-IV. Readers will experience these major moments through the eyes of two best friends who grow up in these troubling times, and find themselves on opposite sides of the war.

As with other Journey to Episode VII titles, hints about the upcoming film will be included in the narrative, as well a original, post-Episode VI content that sets up the new film.

DUAL NARRATIVE: Chapters alternate perspectives between our two protagonists – one a Rebel pilot, the other an Imperial officer. By exploring these two different worlds, readers will experience many of the major moments in the original Star Wars trilogy – from the destruction of the Death Star to the battle of Hoth – through these two characters' eyes.

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Indiebound | The Book Depository

About CLAUDIA GRAY:

Claudia Gray is not my real name. I didn't choose a pseudonym because my real name is unpleasant (it isn't), because I'd always dreamed of calling myself this (I haven't) or even because I'm hiding from the remnants of that international diamond-smuggling cartel I smashed in 2003 (Interpol has taken care of them). In short, I took a pseudonym for no real reason whatsoever. Sometimes this is actually the best reason to do things.

I live in New Orleans. So far, in life, I've been a disc jockey, a lawyer, a journalist and an extremely bad waitress, just to name a few. I especially like to spend time traveling, hiking, reading and listening to music. More than anything else, I enjoy writing.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr

Tour Schedule:
11/15: No BS Book Reviews - Cover Lovin'
11/16: YA Bibliophile - Amazing Gifts for Star Wars Fans
11/17: Winterhaven Books - Author Casting of Star Wars Movie
11/18: Mundie Moms - Top 10 Reasons Why Fans Should Read LOST STARS
11/19: Gone Pecan - Star Wars Inspired Makeup
11/20: Please Feed the Bookworm - Star Wars Mood Board
11/21: Stuck In Books - Q&A

GIVEAWAY:

A Disney Star Wars prize pack! (US Only)

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Review: A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray

A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray

Publisher- Harper Teen

Released- Nov 4th 2014

Pre-Order- Amazon / B & N

Marguerite Caine’s physicist parents are known for their radical scientific achievements. Their most astonishing invention: the Firebird, which allows users to jump into parallel universes, some vastly altered from our own. But when Marguerite’s father is murdered, the killer—her parent’s handsome and enigmatic assistant Paul—escapes into another dimension before the law can touch him.Marguerite can’t let the man who destroyed her family go free, and she races after Paul through different universes, where their lives entangle in increasingly familiar ways. With each encounter she begins to question Paul’s guilt—and her own heart. Soon she discovers the truth behind her father’s death is more sinister than she ever could have imagined.A Thousand Pieces of You explores a reality where we witness the countless other lives we might lead in an amazingly intricate multiverse, and ask whether, amid infinite possibilities, one love can endure.

My Thoughts:

Already a huge fan of Gray, I couldn't wait to read her latest project, A Thousand Pieces of You, the first book in her new Firebird series. I admit, it did take a little bit to warm up to the pacing, but all in all this turned out to be an exciting and fascinating fun filled escape.

After the death of her father, Marguerite is out for revenge. With the help of her friend Theo, the two travel through dimension to chase down her fathers killer using the invention he built, called the Firebird.

I've read my share of time travel books and while some books don't bond well, I still adore this genre concept and always on the look out for more books about them. The story line was really very cool,  there is a lot of terminology and techy stuff that I don't always fully understand which is why it's hard to connect with the overall story, but I think Gray did well, even if I struggled at times between dimensions. I enjoyed all of the twist and turns that keep me guessing, half of which I never saw coming. I think the pacing and flow could have been pulled in a little tighter, but the concept is solid and the characters and romance really pulled the story along nicely. I liked all of the characters. Marguerite is brave and resilient, Theo has charm and charisma and Paul is the mystery that ties this first installment in a gripping and cunning way. Not everything is what it seems.

All in all, this turned out to be a decent read. It may not be my favourite Gray novel, but it's definitely a good start to a promising series that I look forward to continuing. 

Find the author:

Goodreads / Website                                3.5 Snowflakes

Review & Giveaway: Spellcaster by Claudia Gray

Spellcaster by Claudia Gray
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: March 5, 2013
Pre order: Amazon / Barnes & Noble

When Nadia’s family moves to Captive’s Sound, she instantly realizes there’s more to it than meets the eye. Descended from witches, Nadia senses a dark and powerful magic at work in her new town. Mateo has lived in Captive’s Sound his entire life, trying to dodge the local legend that his family is cursed - and that curse will cause him to believe he’s seeing the future … until it drives him mad. When the strange dreams Mateo has been having of rescuing a beautiful girl—Nadia—from a car accident come true, he knows he’s doomed.

Despite the forces pulling them apart, Nadia and Mateo must work together to break the chains of his family’s terrible curse, and to prevent a disaster that threatens the lives of everyone around them. Shimmering with magic and mystery, New York Times bestselling author Claudia Gray’s new novel is sure to draw fans of the Hex Hall and Caster Chronicles series, and fans of the hit CW TV show The Secret Circle.

My Thoughts:
This was a very pleasant surprise. I have seen a few reviews go up that weren’t that encouraging but after about 100 pages in I was hooked. I won’t say that this was the greatest book ever written or that it tops Gray’s Evernight series, but Spellcaster did hold my attention and honestly a reader can’t ask for more than that..

Spellcaster was very different than what I was expecting. Nadia was definitely an interesting character and Gray’s take on magic is one that I haven’t seen before. I am used to the witches needing certain ingredients to perform spells, but it seemed that Nadia only needed to touch her bracelet most of the time, say a few sentences, and then think of something that would make her feel certain emotions. It took me awhile to grasp this concept but by the end of the story I understood it somewhat. I would have liked a better explanation, but I am happy that it finally clicked in my brain. Like I was saying Nadia was a unique character and her story was just as unique. She is a witch and after her mom decides to leave her family, Nadia her dad and brother all move to a tiny town to try and start over. Nadia has no one to teach her anymore about her Craft and when she feels something sinister in her Chemistry class she doesn’t know who to turn to. She finds friends in a strange way and ends up having to fight for not only her family but for the whole town with her new friends. There is a romance for those out there that like having one in their stories, but it isn’t a huge one. Mateo and Nadia were very sweet together, but the storyline curtained more on the curses on the town and certain people which I appreciated. I did like the whole steadfast aspect of the story. I haven’t ever heard of this before but it was new and unique twist at least to me and it was interesting.

Honestly I am still a little confused as to why the villain (I don’t want to give the name away) needed to destroy the town. In the end we kinda get a reason, but it felt a little to late in my opinion. The whole story I kept saying “why” and we do get certain clues but it isn’t until the last chapter that we finally get to see the whys of everything. I would have liked to have seen a tighter plot and known more about the villain’s plot, I think if I had known more my heart would have been beating faster and I would have had that OH NO moment. As is though I didn’t have any real strong emotions towards the whole thing and I kinda wanted the villain to succeed so the plot would be uncovered. Also after everything happens I was a little shocked that we don’t get to see what happened with the Chemistry lab. It played such a huge role in the overall storyline that it felt wrong not to have it be even mentioned at the end. We know from the villain’s conversation that something happened, but I would have thought Nadia would have gone there first to see if what she felt was still there. Unfortunately we are left completely hanging. And what the hale is up with the mother??!! I can’t believe we are left with no answers on her end. I hope that if we are given a new installment that part of the story is answered because after reading 370 pages I really expected to have that side story answered. I won’t say much more since it will spoil a part of the story but just know I am seriously ticked about that part. Even with all this though I actually enjoyed the story. It was creepy at times and I felt spellbound by the villain which I am not sure is a good thing but they caught my attention and I am dying to know more about them.

The story ends on a cliffhanger and I haven’t looked yet to see if this will be a series, but I am hoping it will be since I want more of this certain person. There are a lot of questions still unanswered and I hope we get to see a new installment. If you are looking for something witchy with a twist then this is the book for you. It, in my opinion, is different enough to keep the reader entertained and it has a dark meanie in it that you don’t want to pass up meeting.

3 Snowflakes

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Waiting on Wednesday, #18

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases we can't wait to get our hands on.

Here's my selection for this week...

Spellcaster by Claudia Gray

Expected Publication: March 5th 2013

Publisher: HarperTeen

When Nadia’s family moves to Captive’s Sound, she instantly realizes there’s more to it than meets the eye. Descended from witches, Nadia senses a dark and powerful magic at work in her new town. Mateo has lived in Captive’s Sound his entire life, trying to dodge the local legend that his family is cursed - and that curse will cause him to believe he’s seeing the future … until it drives him mad. When the strange dreams Mateo has been having of rescuing a beautiful girl—Nadia—from a car accident come true, he knows he’s doomed.

Despite the forces pulling them apart, Nadia and Mateo must work together to break the chains of his family’s terrible curse, and to prevent a disaster that threatens the lives of everyone around them. Shimmering with magic and mystery, New York Times bestselling author Claudia Gray’s new novel is sure to draw fans of the Hex Hall and Caster Chronicles series, and fans of the hit CW TV show The Secret Circle.

I’ve been a huge fan of Claudia Gray since the first week her Evernight series hit the shelves and despite this author’s incredible, head-desk worthy plot twists, I enjoy her writing a TON! I haven’t picked up another book by Gray since the final installment Afterlife, and I’m just about ready to revisit her exciting storytelling and the likeable casts she’s able to create. Books that involve powerful magic, mystery and curses… well sign me up! I can’t wait to get my hands on Claudia Gray’s first book of her new witchcraft-based trilogy!

Soooo, what book are you waiting on?