Review: The Lost Sun by Tessa Gratton

The Lost Sun by Tessa Gratton
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Release Date: June 25th, 2013
Purchase: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Fans of Neil Gaiman's American Gods and Holly Black's The Curse Workers will embrace this richly drawn, Norse-mythology-infused alternate world: the United States of Asgard.

Seventeen-year-old Soren Bearskin is trying to escape the past. His father, a famed warrior, lost himself to the battle-frenzy and killed thirteen innocent people. Soren cannot deny that berserking is in his blood--the fevers, insomnia, and occasional feelings of uncontrollable rage haunt him. So he tries to remain calm and detached from everyone at Sanctus Sigurd's Academy. But that's hard to do when a popular, beautiful girl like Astrid Glyn tells Soren she dreams of him. That's not all Astrid dreams of--the daughter of a renowned prophetess, Astrid is coming into her own inherited abilities.

When Baldur, son of Odin and one of the most popular gods in the country, goes missing, Astrid sees where he is and convinces Soren to join her on a road trip that will take them to find not only a lost god, but also who they are beyond the legacy of their parents and everything they've been told they have to be.

My Thoughts:
I adore Tessa Gratton.  I just don't know what else to say except that.  She is a master storyteller and every single book I pick up that has been written by her I am enthralled immediately and find myself just lost in whatever world she has created.

In the past few weeks I have been kinda stuck in this bubble where all I read are books that have heavy Greek and Norse mythology throughout and I have to say after reading several books The Lost Son is by far my favorite.  I have always loved Greek myth so when this new Norse myth popped up I was intrigued.  I am very new to Norse mythology, but it didn't take me long to find myself captivated by the world and stories.  The author does a wonderful job retelling the important stories and I appreciated this because like I said I am new to this stuff and if she hadn't explained certain things I would have been lost.

This story is about a boy Soren and his struggle to not be overtaken by the frenzy and a girl Astrid who might hold the key to not only teaching him how to contain the beast but also the key to finding the missing God Baulder the Beautiful.  Soren and Astrid go together to find the missing God and when they discover him with no memory of his past lives they know something is wrong.  Thus begins their adventure into finding out what fate has in store for them.

Soren and Astrid were amazing characters.  I love how Ms.Gratton weaves romance into her stories, it is never forced and by the end of the story you can feel how her characters feel for each other.  Every touch, every look, and glance just warmed my heart and I found myself sighing with happiness throughout this book.  I never do that, but I just couldn't help it with this book.  The romance isn't the only amazing thing about these characters.  They were strong together and a part, they never backed down from what they believed in, and they accepted what was thrown at them.  Brilliant!  Vider and Baulder were great characters as well. I really enjoyed reading about both of them and I really hope they play a part in the sequel.  Vider especially since I want to know more about her and her backstory.

From what I can tell Norse myth might be the next big thing and if it is then I am so glad I read this book first before it really blows up.  Tessa Gratton has created a wonderful world that will definitely stand out among the crowd.  I am always completely blown away at how she can capture my attention with just a few words and with this book she grabbed my attention and even after finishing it she still has it. 

4 Snowflakes

 

Author Spotlight: Tessa Gratton

 

 Tessa Gratton is definitely in my top 5 favorite authors of all time and if you read my review for her latest novel The Blood Keeper you know how much having her on the blog means to me.  I am so excited to have her on the blog!!

1. In Blood Magic and The Blood Keeper the magical aspects are so intricately and beautifully pieced together. Did you have to do any kind of research or does it come straight from your imagination?

I researched magic extensively, but over the past 15 years because it's my favorite thing to read about  I've taken history and anthropology classes centered on the history of magical beliefs in religion and culture, both international and focused on Western European Medieval practices. I could write a dissertation about magic in the real world, basically. When I was designing the magical system for The Blood Journals I focused on the characters who created it - the Deacon specifically based his on Germanic and Pennsylvania Dutch, with some old Catholic mysticism thrown in because of the time and place he was born, and his own teacher (Gabriel, who was French and Catholic). The version of the magic in Silla's spell book is filtered through the character of Philip, who was very educated and not superstitious or religious at all, so it was much more scientific and based on the "quasi-science" of alchemy.

2. I loved the way The Blood Keeper was told in alternating points of view from two different time periods, was this always the plan?

Thank you! And yes, that was always the plan because I wanted TBK to directly mirror Blood Magic in structure, and BM was told in the same way. TBK is the daylight to BM darkness, and I want them to be part of the same conversation about magic and power and family, so the structure needed to reflect that.

3. I have to say Reese holds a special place in my heart, which character are you closest too and why?

I find this question nearly impossible to answer, because I'm close to all my characters emotionally - not that I love the, but that I understand the core thing that makes them who they are. With that understanding comes a level of intimacy. I feel especially close to Arthur because he's always been at the center of the story, even in BM in which he hardly appeared. My FAVORITE character though, is Josephine. Favorite to write for sure, and I'd have a great (probably dangerous and criminal) time getting a drink with her and experimenting with magic.

4. Is this the final book in the Blood Journals world or do you have more planned?

I have a third book in my head that I'll probably write someday, though there's nothing official planned right now. I can tell you though that if it happens, one of the POVs will be Lukas.

5. Your next story seems to be about Mythology, which sounds so exciting. What would you say is your favorite genre?

High fantasy! My recent favorite reads have been FINNIKIN OF THE ROCK by Melina Marchetta, THE CROWN OF EMBERS by Rae Carson, THE DEMON KING by Cinda Williams Chima. But I'm a long time fantasy reader. I love, love, love books with huge worlds (and magic, of course!).

6. Can you give a sneak peak into your new book, The Weight of Stars?

The best sneak peak is to go here: http://tessagratton.com/novels/songs-of-new-asgard/

It's the micro-site for the first book, with a blurb and little snippet, as well as links to my related Tumblr and a few short stories from the Merry Fates short story blog that take place in the United States of Asgard. 

Thanks for having me, Crystal! 

Woohoo so many things to look forward too!!  I am hoping with everything inside me that we get to see that third book to the Blood Keepers series (no pressure Tessa =)) and you can bet your bookies I will be stalking the bookstores when her new book, The Weight of Stars, releaeses!  

Tessa thank you so much for stopping by our blog!  It was a blast having you on and congratulattions on an amazing sequel! 

Find Tessa:
Website / Twitter / Goodreads

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Review: The Blood Keeper by Tessa Gratton

The Blood Keeper by Tessa Gratton
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Release Date:August 28, 2012
Preorder: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Paranormal romance fans who are looking to up the ante will be drawn to this tale of horror, fantasy, and romance. For Mab Prowd, the practice of blood magic is as natural as breathing. It's all she's ever known. Growing up on an isolated farm in Kansas with other practitioners may have kept her from making friends her own age, but it has also given her a sense of purpose—she's connected to the land and protective of the magic. And she is able to practice it proudly and happily out in the open with only the crows as her companions. Mab will do anything to keep the ancient practice alive and guard its secrets. But one morning while she is working out a particularly tricky spell she encounters Will, a local boy who is trying to exorcise some mundane personal demons. He experiences Mab's magic in a way his mind cannot comprehend and is all too happy to end their chance meeting. But secrets that were kept from Mab by the earlier generations of blood magicians have come home to roost. And she and Will are drawn back together, time again by this dangerous force looking to break free from the earth and reclaim its own dark power

My thoughts:

BEST.BOOK.EVER!  I am not kidding or exaggerating one bit either.  Most books I usually say that I loved them but I wish this was different or this annoyed me, but this one is PERFECT.  There is not one single thing I would want changed, slowed down, altered, or deleted.  The Blood Keeper is pure perfection!

In this one we have Mab who is now the Deacon. She protects her land and helps others like herself in need with her magic.  Mab is very curious by nature which makes her an awesome at what she does.  When her curiosity drags her to find out why Author, her old mentor, wanted her to get rid of the rose bushes in their yard she unknowingly opens up a whole can of worms that changes her life forever.  Will, having lost his brother only a few months ago, is just trying to figure out what he wants to do. Every man in his family has joined the service and he isn't so sure that is the path that he wants to take anymore.  Also added to that he is having nightmares about being dragged underwater and all kinds of non pleasant things.  Thinking gt has something to do with the day he saved one of his friends lives, he goes back to where it all happened.  There is where he meets Mab for the first time and their introduction is nothing short of hilarious and terrifying.   This story is filled with action, adventure, romance, passion, magic, and I can't forget blood.  I loved how the author chose to describe the magic in this book and show how Mab balanced everything out. Even the simple connection between Mab and Will was described and explained so perfectly.  Their romance was beautiful.  There was nothing forced and yes they had an instant connection but there is a really good reason why that I can't explain but just trust me it definitely works.  Their romance is my top favorite one of all time. Yes I know that is a huge statement and I mean every word.

Mab proves to be one of the toughest characters I have ever read about.  She does what needs to be done and doesn't make excuses or whine about it.  I was so shocked at her decision at the end and I know that the author never takes the easy way out so I was on pins and needles at the end.  I actually was on pins and needles throughout but that ending was killer!  Also I have to say that I loved that even though Mab was the outcast girl she didn't get treated like a weirdo.  The girls at Will's school didn't make fun of her, they didn't break out in a song and dance about being besties forever upon their first introduction, they welcomed her nicely and opened up the idea of being friends.  That is reality. Most new girls don't have besties within the first day and they don't all get teased by the head cheerleader. I loved that the author added that part.  Will was the perfect balance to Mab.  They complimented each other nicely and like I said above I loved their romance.  Will was just your typical guy, he loves his dogs, plays soccer, and is just trying to keep his life together.  Mab proves to be the glue he needs and in my eyes they are the perfect couple.  Don't think for a second that this  book is all romance, there is an enormous storyline here that is told in two different times alternating chapters.  The story was just as captivating as the romance and even more so at times.

If you have read my previous review of the first book you already know that I am a huge fan of this world that Tessa Gratton has created.  There is just something about it that is intriguing and just captivates me. It is so different from any other magic book I have read.  I don't think there is another book planned set in this world but if there ever is one I will definitely be that crazy girl waiting at the door of my book store the day it releases.  Tessa Gratton is a brilliant author and I cannot wait to see what she comes out with next!

By the way if anyone knows where I can find Crow Memory Please let me know!

5 Snowflakes

Find the Author:

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