Saturday, August 31, 2013

One Week Blogoversary Giveaway: DAY THREE


Three is considered my lucky number! Is it yours? If you want to find out, then enter this giveaway and see whether you can win in this third giveaway! Today we'll be giving away two books by one of my favourite authors!

TODAY WE'LL BE GIVING AWAY...

The Last Witch and The Underground Witch by Debbie Dee

Click on the cover for the review!

The Last Witch (Incenaga, #1)

For generations the Incenaga Witches have been forced to use their power to fulfill the wishes of others until they are drained of their magic and left to die. Desperate to protect his infant daughter - the last surviving witch - Emmeline’s father escapes with her to the forests where he vows to keep her hidden from the world and from the truth.

Sixteen years later, Emmeline is discovered and finds herself in the grip of a traitor who will stop at nothing to get what he wants, even if it means abusing her power until she dies. As she fights to regain her freedom she is faced with a choice between a prince who offers a lifetime of security and a common gamekeeper who has no idea of her power, but offers his heart.

But who can she trust when her power can be used against her?

Click on the cover to see the review!

The Underground Witch (Incenaga, #2)

As the last of the Incenaga Witches, Emmeline has been tortured and forced to use her power to kill. But unlike the Incenagas before her, she has survived. With her freedom restored, she should feel safe, invincible even. After all, she has the protection of Prince Erick’s army and a power strong enough to obliterate any enemy. Yet Emmeline lives in fear for the next person who will try to control her, and no one can seem to find the tyrant threatening to claim her. 

Until it’s too late.

With everything on the line, and the enemy at her throat, will Emmeline be able to use her power like never before? Even if it kills her?

In The Underground Witch, the second novel of the Incenaga Trilogy, Debbie Dee delivers enough adventure, heartbreak, and suspense to captivate readers at every turn.


Same advice as usual. You know what it is ;) Good luck and no cheating! Read the terms and conditions.


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Friday, August 30, 2013

One Week Blogoversary Giveaway: DAY TWO!!!!


Are you ready for the second giveaway? Today we'll be giving away I book I really love, and would call it one of the best contemporaries I've ever read.

TODAY WE'LL BE GIVING AWAY...

Freedom Road by Tia Souders

Click on the cover to see the review for this book!

Freedom Road

Since the tender age of eight, music served as Samantha Becker’s source of solace against her father’s tyranny and her mother’s alcoholism. Now at eighteen, her only dream is to study classical guitar at Juilliard. But when her father’s careless actions lead to an “accident,” which threatens her ability to play the guitar, Sam becomes despondent. Losing all confidence in her future, Sam hides behind the emotional barriers that have protected her for years.

Just when Sam has given up, two unexpected people enter her life, giving her the confidence she needs, and forcing her to evaluate all she’s ever known. Battling her father’s plans for her future, band mates using her for personal gain, and a permanent injury, the odds are stacked against her. With auditions approaching and time running out, Sam must relearn to play the guitar, or be destined to give up her dreams forever.



This must be getting annoying for you... hehehe MAY THE ODDS BE EVER IN YOUR FAVOUR! This shows how much of a Hunger Games fan I am ;) And this is also an international giveaway!


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Blog Tour and Review: Running from Romeo by Diane Mannino



Running from Romeo
Title: Running from Romeo
Author: Diane Mannino
Release Date: 1st June 2013
Genre: Young Adult
Tour: Irresistible Reads Book Tours
Find on: Goodreads

Quick ReviewEmilia King is entering her senior year at Santa Barbara University. For the past three years, she lived in the library – doing what she knows best – focusing on her studies and forgetting her past…a past that has forever changed her life. But this year marks a new beginning…


Logan Prescott is not only the hottest guy on campus, he’s heir to a billionaire hotel fortune. Emilia knows he’s trouble and should stay clear of him. But his notorious good looks and piercing blue eyes make him simply irresistible – especially when he’s quoting her favorite literary works.


Intrigued by Emilia’s innocence and resistance to his charm, Logan discovers she’s a challenge he simply can’t resist. Getting involved with him is dangerous, but running from him may be impossible.


Detailed Review: In the case of this book, it wasn't the story that really drew my attention, but the details and the setting and the characters. The main characters were really the deal for me. They made me cry and laugh and do other things I wouldn't have done while reading other books.

Even though the story was simple, it still managed to affect me, because it was a contemporary, which meant it could happen in real life and the characters just felt so real. I could literally imagine them in my mind and what was happening between them.


So my favourite characters were:


Emilia King: She is the main character and narrator in the book. Her innocence is her most distinguishable trait but her sense of humor is just the thing that makes me laugh. My heart really reached out for her when she was in any difficulty. I love the fact that she's majoring in English Literature since I love Literature too!


Logan Prescott: Emilia's love interest. He's hot and he's the heir to a chain of successful hotels around the world-Prescott Hotels. And at the same time, he's caring and kind and I loved the times when he and Emilia were together because they seemed to get along so well together, not to mention that he's also well-versed in Literature. Ahhhh could you have wished for a better guy? Even though, he was a playboy before he met Emilia, I think he could really change if he tried hard enough.


Bryn: Emilia's best friend and my imaginary best friend. I so wish she's my best friend! She's so protective and maternal and I would love a friend like that! My friends, do you hear that?


I especially love Logan's and Emilia's email exchanges because they just reflect how the pair are getting on with each other. They also managed to reveal the fact that Emilia is slowly letting her guard down and finally falls in love with him. I also love the literature which Diane has included in Emilia's English course and the songs, they just give so much hints and increase the tension between Logan and Emilia even more!


The best moment in the book was when Emilia and Logan met for the first time because it was so funny and tense and I also think that is a turning point in the story where everything for the main characters start changing. The worst moment was the ending, or more precisely the last few pages. My heart was completely shattered... I can see my heart in pieces, literally....

And not to mention the title is a good one since it relates to the book quite well, and I can't wait to know what the title for the sequel is! And the cover OMG it's so BEAUTIFUL! 


And you can guess who 'Romeo' is. *winks*


Also you've got to watch the trailer for the book! It's absolutely AWESOME. This is gonna make you wanna read the book even more!




Brief Review: The author really overworked her abilities to write this book. It couldn't have been more perfectly done and Diane can make you swoon with just a sentence over Logan and also sympathize with Emilia with just a paragraph. She definitely can break your heart in a few pages' time. This book is a MUST-READ for contemporary and romance lovers! If you don't read it, you're clearly missing out!

Final Rating: 5/5 'Totally Amazing!'











QUOTE:

 To both Logan and Emilia, who found it hard sometimes to get along together,

The course of true love never did run smooth.---William Shakespeare


Your Reviewer:






About the Author:

DIANE MANNINO graduated from University of Maryland, College Park with a degree in English Literature. She is a former writer for Museum and Arts Washington and Star Magazine as well as several television shows, including, Inside Edition, American Journal, and E! News Daily. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two beautiful daughters. Running from Romeo is her first novel and she is currently working on the sequel.



Website: http://dianemannino.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RunningFromRomeo?fref=ts


You can find other stops of the tour here:



TGIF - Feature & Follow Friday #164

FEATURE & FOLLOW FRIDAY is a blog hop that is designed to provide as much exposure towards other bloggers as well as yourself, and to expand following. It's hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read, each whom feature a chosen blog for a week, it's also an interesting way to get to know one another bloggers.


QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
If you could have ONE  - one book - for the rest of your life. Don't cheat... what would it be? 

No questions asked. 

THE NIGHT CIRCUS BY ERIN MORGENSTERN



Thursday, August 29, 2013

The Girl Has Turned ONE! (One Week Blogoversary Giveaway) Day #1


Today is a really SPECIAL DAYYYYYYYY!!!! 

Girl in the Woods has turned one! It's great to see how many people love our blog even though it's only been a year, albeit a fun one. We feel proud for our 'girl' who's matured and grown up. So like every good person, we decided to host a ONE WEEK LONG BLOGOVERSARY GIVEAWAY! Each day a different book which we absolutely adore will be given away.

TODAY WE'LL BE GIVING AWAY...

Running from Romeo by Diane Mannino


Running from Romeo

Emilia King is entering her senior year at Santa Barbara University. For the past three years, she lived in the library – doing what she knows best – focusing on her studies and forgetting her past…a past that has forever changed her life. But this year marks a new beginning…

Logan Prescott is not only the hottest guy on campus, he’s heir to a billionaire hotel fortune. Emilia knows he’s trouble and should stay clear of him. But his notorious good looks and piercing blue eyes make him simply irresistible – especially when he’s quoting her favorite literary works.

Intrigued by Emilia’s innocence and resistance to his charm, Logan discovers she’s a challenge he simply can’t resist. Getting involved with him is dangerous, but running from him may be impossible.

This never gets old... May  the odds be ever in your favor! The giveaway is international!

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Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday: Pawn by Aimee Carter



Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by us, that highlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
This week's upcoming 'can't-wait-to-read' selection is:


Pawn (The Blackcoat Rebellion, #1)Title: Pawn
Author: Aimee Carter

Release Date: 26th November 2013
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Find on: Goodreads

YOU CAN BE A VII. IF YOU GIVE UP EVERYTHING.

 For Kitty Doe, it seems like an easy choice. She can either spend her life as a III in misery, looked down upon by the higher ranks and forced to leave the people she loves, or she can become a VII and join the most powerful family in the country.

 If she says yes, Kitty will be Masked—surgically transformed into Lila Hart, the Prime Minister's niece, who died under mysterious circumstances. As a member of the Hart family, she will be famous. She will be adored. And for the first time, she will matter.

 There's only one catch. She must also stop the rebellion that Lila secretly fostered, the same one that got her killed …and one Kitty believes in. Faced with threats, conspiracies and a life that's not her own, she must decide which path to choose—and learn how to become more than a pawn in a twisted game she's only beginning to understand.


That cover is to die for and the story promises another good dystopian world, don't you think?

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Cover Reveal: Fracture the Spider's Web by Sarah Godfrey and Victoria DeRubeis


Kali unexpectedly discovers on her first day of human high school that she’s forbidden to eat or partake of the toilet during class time, the assigned history and species books look best on the shelves of popular fiction, and the boy she’s watching over is definitely a reincarnated war lord.

The highest powers of Kali’s people and the highest powers of Yuuhi’s people, irreconcilable enemies, designated them to find proof that Jason is, in fact, the reincarnated Ares.

All Yuuhi sees in Jason is the typical scrawny, socially inept emo kid dressed in conflicting shades of black. But Kali sees that Jason’s shadow is bigger than he is, and if the powers of Yuuhi’s people find out, Jason won’t be human much longer.

The desire to protect him from an unexpected visitor brings out her most dangerous sides. Something’s changing in her, something she can’t control, and she’s not afraid of Jason mutating into a creature of the shadows more than she’s afraid she’s becoming something even worse.

And the highest powers will be watching her.


That is a beautiful cover everyone. Cover-judgers, you certainly won't want to miss this book! You could start by reading Dance in Shadow and Whisper, the first book in the Marionettes of Myth saga! You can find my review for it here.

Also there's good news! Dance in Shadow and Whisper is only 99 cents for the digital copies! So what are you waiting for? Go buy and download it! This offer only lasts till 11.59pm, 30th August so be sure to buy it before then!

Friday, August 23, 2013

TGIF - Feature & Follow Friday #163

FEATURE & FOLLOW FRIDAY is a blog hop that is designed to provide as much exposure towards other bloggers as well as yourself, and to expand following. It's hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read, each whom feature a chosen blog for a week, it's also an interesting way to get to know one another bloggers.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Book Selfie! Take a pic with your current read. 

DUE to precaution "privacy" and blah, blah, blah... I'm not going to show my face! :P But here's what I'm reading now :)



Lovin it so far!

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday: A Shard of Ice by Alivia Anders


Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by us, that highlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication 'can't-wait-to-read' selection is:

15767449Title: A Shard of Ice
Author: Alivia Anders
Release Date: 14th September 2014
Publisher: Red Alice Press
Find on: Goodreads

THEIR SOULS, REAWAKENED.

When 13-year-old Lilix Morgan is found alive and floating on a bed of ice at sea, everyone counts it a miracle. Kidnapped nearly four weeks earlier, she remembers nothing of her mysterious abduction. When she tries to remember what happened, she hears only a melody – a faint and delicate set of notes, strung together in a tune she doesn’t understand. 

THEIR POWER, UNMATCHED.

A year later and desperate to put the lingering nightmares of her past behind her, Lilix crosses the country to enroll at Baelmorte Academy, aiming to become the violinist she once dreamt of. Things seem to be finally going well, and Lilix settles into a routine of sheet music and inspiration among new friends.

Then the dreams start. 

The melody and night terrors she thought she’d left behind return with a vengeance, threatening to ruin her fragile version of normalcy. Then an unlikely ally tells her that she isn’t alone. That there are others just like her, fighting to hide their own shocking truths from coming to light. That they know who she is, and what she’s been through. Now, accompanied by four other girls, Lilix discovers her nightmares are larger than a single trauma; they’re a window to a hidden part of her soul, a place of immense power with a destiny that cannot be ignored. 

THEIR BATTLE, IS ONLY BEGINNING.

With this knowledge comes a new and frightening reality. For Lilix has been reawakened to stop an age-old enemy, one thought to have been destroyed centuries ago. Trapped by her destiny, Lilix is torn between what feels right and what she remembers. Her memories tell her of a star-crossed love waiting to be reunited, of friendships and trust broken in the past. But can she save that love when reality brings her an enemy, and an evil that will be the undoing of them all if they don’t destroy it?


I was first pulled in by the name and the cover. And then the story made it sound even better than I expected! AHHHHH BUT WHY MUST IT COME OUT AT THE END OF NEXT YEAR? *pulls at hair*

Thursday, August 15, 2013

TGIF - Feature & Follow Friday #162

FEATURE & FOLLOW FRIDAY is a blog hop that is designed to provide as much exposure towards other bloggers as well as yourself, and to expand following. It's hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read, each whom feature a chosen blog for a week, it's also an interesting way to get to know one another bloggers.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Share something you've learned about book blogging or just blogging in general in the last month. 

Hmm... let's see *scratch chin* I learned blogging is... frustrating? Why? Well, I wished when I designed the blog, there was a touch screen function where I could actually put a widget in a certain place instead of it being decided by the blog template! But learning how to do all these have just advanced me in IT 'thumbs up HERE'!! 

Review: Dance in Shadow and Whisper by Sarah Godfrey and Victoria DeRubeis

Dance in Shadow and Whisper
Title: Dance in Shadow and Whisper
Author Sarah Godfrey and Victoria DeRubeis
Release Date: 19th June 2013 
Find on: Goodreads

Quick Review: Kali unexpectedly discovers on her first day of human high school that she’s forbidden to eat or partake of the toilet during class time, the assigned history and species books look best on the shelves of popular fiction, and the boy she’s watching over is definitely a reincarnated war lord.

The highest powers of Kali’s people and the highest powers of Yuuhi’s people, irreconcilable enemies, designated them to find proof that Jason is, in fact, the reincarnated Ares.

All Yuuhi sees in Jason is the typical scrawny, socially inept emo kid dressed in conflicting shades of black. But Kali sees that Jason’s shadow is bigger than he is, and if the powers of Yuuhi’s people find out, Jason won’t be human much longer.

The desire to protect him from an unexpected visitor brings out her most dangerous sides. Something’s changing in her, something she can’t control, and she’s not afraid of Jason mutating into a creature of the shadows more than she’s afraid she’s becoming something even worse.

And the highest powers will be watching her.


Detailed Review: This book was the BEST fantasy book I've ever read surrounding demons and vampires. Really it was. It just managed to suck me right into the vortex of a story and not let me go. For starters, the story is very original and intriguing. The authors' style of writing leaves you questioning on every page and you know you'll have to read on to get the answers. I also liked how the authors only chose to involve demons and vampires and not werewolves and faeries. I'm starting to get tired of all those. But Dance in Shadow and Whisper was really a wake-up call for me.

Not only was the story mesmerizing, the characters set off a pretty high standard too. They fit right into the story and were clearly and elaborately thought out. I also like the multiple POVs in this book because sometimes it gets a bit tiring just seeing from one person's perspective. Also besides the central theme of war and retribution in the book, there was this word echoing the whole time in my head, the really obvious theme in this book.

FAMILY.

I could see how Kali and her brothers and fathers stayed closed together and never let go of each other. This was clearly what makes it so different from other books I've read. I've never read about such strong family bonds. This somehow affected the story more than I thought it would. It affected the ending too, no question about that.

The twist in the story which I think worthy of mentioning is that there is also another reincarnation of another war lord besides Ares. And what is most shocking is that the person you suspected the least is the reincarnation.

Now that ending is what kills me the most. It was really really painful for me to find that there was no continuation to the story that had me like a fish dangling on a hook. 

WHICH MEANS I NEED THE SECOND BOOK. The second book must come out soon. I'm dying of anticipation and apprehension here. 

Note: If the story and the review is not already a tip-off, the cover should do it. It's beautiful.

Brief Review: This book was unexpected in many ways. First the content was just a punch in the gut, and the characters were a stab to my body then the ending was a bullet to my head. This makes the book perfectly addictive and compelling to read. AND I WANT MORE KALI!


Final Rating: 5/5 'Totally Amazing!'









QUOTE: 

The best quote to describe the theme of family in this book:

Family means no one gets left behind or forgotten.---David Ogden Stiers

Your Reviewer:

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday: Being Sloane Jacobs by Lauren Morrill


Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by us, that highlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's upcoming 'can't-wait-to-read' selection is:

Being Sloane JacobsTitle: Being Sloane Jacobs
Author: Lauren Morrill
Release Date: 7th January 2014
Publisher: Delacorte
Find on: Goodreads

Meet Sloane Emily Jacobs: a seriously stressed-out figure-skater from Washington, D.C., who choked during junior nationals and isn’t sure she’s ready for a comeback. What she does know is that she’d give anything to escape the mass of misery that is her life.

Now meet Sloane Devon Jacobs, a spunky ice hockey player from Philly who’s been suspended from her team for too many aggressive hip checks. Her punishment? Hockey camp, now, when she’s playing the worst she’s ever played. If she messes up? Her life will be over.

When the two Sloanes meet by chance in Montreal and decide to trade places for the summer, each girl thinks she’s the lucky one: no strangers to judge or laugh at Sloane Emily, no scouts expecting Sloane Devon to be a hero. But it didn’t occur to Sloane E. that while avoiding sequins and axels she might meet a hockey hottie—and Sloane D. never expected to run into a familiar (and very good-looking) face from home. It’s not long before the Sloanes discover that convincing people you’re someone else might be more difficult than being yourself.

The story did at first remind me of Will Grayson, Will Grayson but then it got more interesting with the swapping places part. I feel really intrigued and curious to know how it turns out. And the cover especially, is cuuuuute. Love it!

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Review: Silent Echo: A Siren's Tale by Elisa Freilich

Silent Echo: A Siren's TaleTitle: Silent Echo: A Siren's Tale
Author: Elisa Freilich
Release Date: 10th September 2013
Publisher: Diversion Books
Find on: Goodreads

Quick Review: Haunted by silence, a mute teenage girl is mysteriously given back her voice ... and it is divine.


Rendered mute at birth, Portia Griffin has been silent for 16 years. Music is her constant companion, along with Felix, her deaf best friend who couldn’t care less whether or not she can speak. If only he were as nonchalant about her newfound interest in the musically gifted Max Hunter.

But Portia’s silence is about to be broken with the abrupt discovery of her voice, unparalleled in its purity and the power it affords to control those around her. Able to persuade, seduce and destroy using only her voice, Portia embarks on a search for answers about who she really is, and what she is destined to become.


Inspired by Homer’s Odyssey, SILENT ECHO: A Siren's Tale is an epic story filled with fantasy, romance and original music.


Detailed Review: This book literally gave me the chills because it was so intense. I must say this book isn't lacking in the mystery and horror department. And the author really did her research, that's what made it so perfect and addictive at the same time.


Elisa manages to make the transition from reality into fantasy smooth, going easily with the flow. This is an admirable skill I like in authors. The story was unlike so many other fantasy books I've read so far. First, it was higher on the scare factor, especially in the end. I found that I couldn't stop reading just because of the fact that I was petrified that something would happen if I stopped. Second, the mythology in it is really strong, and not to mention were real. This turns the story into a more haunting one than some stories or myths created by the author himself. 

The best part in the book though, was admittedly the characters because they gave depth to the story. It felt like they were shaping it, that the story was affected by their actions and words, not something that's made-up. The story felt like it was really happening and I was a spectator. The characters fit in so well with the story, for example Portia's deaf best friend Felix wasn't influenced by her powers because he simply couldn't hear her. He was clearly meant to help her not get controlled by her powers. 

And like any good book. It has its twists. Good ones that will certainly leave you shocked and restless.

Now, this is what I call a good book... This is one hell of a story that will be hard to forget.

Brief Review: Mesmerizing and beautiful, this book manages to exploit music in a dangerous and seductive way, such that I got really overwhelmed and scared whenever I read it. Elisa shows consciousness of her readers and manages to surprise and stun at the most unexpected of times. I don't think it needs any more saying, but I'll say it. IT'S AMAZING. 


Final Rating: 5/5 'Totally Amazing!'












QUOTE:  

'Music doesn't lie. If there is something to be changed in this world, then it can only happen through music.'---Jimi Hendrix



Your Reviewer: 





Monday, August 12, 2013

An Interview with Cristin Terrill

Hi everyone! This is Elicia here and I'm happy to say that I had a chance to interview Cristin Terrill, author of All Our Yesterdays! Everyone welcome her with open and loving arms! 

13514612
Click on the cover to see the ARC review of ALL OUR YESTERDAYS

Elicia: Why did you choose time travel as a focus for All Our Yesterdays?

Cristin: I'd say I didn't really choose time travel, it chose me. I've always loved time travel stories but had never really thought of one until the idea for ALL OUR YESTERDAYS  hit me, and then it just wouldn't let go.

Elicia: What do you think of the hype the book got?

Cristin: It's hard to really judge how much hype there is or isn't from the inside because my entire day is ALL OUR YESTERDAYS all the time anyway, but anyone talking about my book at ALL is pretty surreal. I never really, truly grasped the reality that getting a book published meant people would actually READ it until a few months ago, as silly as that sounds. It all feels very much like it's happening to someone else.

Elicia: If you could be a character in All Our Yesterdays, who would it be? Why?

Cristin: That's a really hard question, because all my characters have pretty difficult lives in one way or another! I guess I'd pick Marina, because most of her troubles are within her ability to change. (Plus she's really rich, which would be fun!)

Elicia: How would you feel if your book won a literary award or was promoted to become a movie?

Cristin: Stunned I'm sure. The book was optioned for film and there's a screenwriter working on it right now, and that doesn't feel real to me at all! It would be incredibly strange and also so, so fun to see a movie that started as some wild idea I got years ago when I couldn't sleep!

Elicia: Have you ever thought of co-writing a book with another author? If yes, with who?

Cristin: I think it would be really fun and interesting to co-write a book if the opportunity ever came up. I have no idea with whom, though, because although there are tons of writers I admire and would like to work with, our writing styles and ways of working would have to mesh together really well for it to be successful, and there's no way to know who I might be compatible with in that way! 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Cristin Terrill has a bachelor of the arts degree from Vassar College and a master of the arts degree in Shakespeare Studies from the Shakespeare Institute in Stratford-upon-Avon, UK. She currently lives outside Washington, D.C., where she teaches creative writing workshop for kids and teens. ALL OUR YESTERDAYS is her first novel.
























Blog Tour and ARC Review: Steel Lily by Megan Curd



Hi everyone, this is Elicia here and I'm proud to say that we're participating in the blog tour for Steel Lily by Megan Curd!

Read on for the ARC review...

Title: Steel Lily
Author: Megan Curd
Genre: Dystopian
Release Date: 20th August 2013

Blurb:

AVERY PIKE is a commodity. No, more than a commodity. Her existence is guarded at all costs.

She’s a water Elementalist, the strongest of her dwindling kind. She creates steam to provide energy to fuel Dome Four: the only thing standing between humanity and an earth ravaged by World War III. No steam, no Dome. No Dome, no life.

Or so she thinks.

That is, until a mysterious man offers her a way out of having to donate steam. A way to escape the corrupt government of Dome Four. While the offer seems too good to be true, Avery is intrigued.

But when she arrives to her new home, she realizes the grass isn’t any less dead on this side of the fence. Instead, the lies are just hidden better.

…Which means digging deeper.

When Avery enlists the help of her friends to uncover the truth, she learns that while some secrets are better left concealed, humankind was never meant to live in a cage. And when you can control the most sought after resource, you can learn to control anything…including the fate of your world.

Detailed Review: I thought this book was possibly one of the best dystopian/steampunk book I've read in ages since Divergent and The Hunger Games. I really think it far exceeded my expectations. I expected the usual dystopian setting but instead I was struck with action, romance, betrayal, defiance and grief. I got more than I wanted. But it was worth it. It had the elements of an amazing dystopian and steampunk book.



I loved the characters in the book, especially Avery because like all great heroines, she is brave, intelligent, sensible and caring. I find her courage the most identifiable of all her traits and also her rock-hard stubborness.  Alice, Avery's friend also creates a really good supporting character and somehow brings out the best in Avery. Now, Jaxon, the person who Avery falls in love with is also a much-loved character and he just seems so broken but manages to hide it all behind the sarcasm and charm. And he's hot. No objections to that because he really is. And the rest of the characters are just as good.

Now, this is JAXON. Say Hi *giggles* isn't he hot?


As for the story, I couldn't have wished for it to be better. It was just amazing with it's twists and turns. What I appreciated was the author's storytelling style. It really catches the reader's attention from the first sentence and stays that way. You'll seldom find boring parts in the book. Also always in dystopian books. you'll get a few quotes or two that really teaches you something about life. like this one:



So, you really should read this book. No hesitation, just read it.

Brief Review: A blend of dystopian and steampunk, this book will certainly get your adrenaline pumping and heart beating like crazy. The characters and story are really the things that makes it different from other dytopian books. The author's storytelling is impressive and would make you like it instantly. With a combination of many different themes, this book has the ability to really make you reflect on YOUR life. Simply put it, it's powerful.

Final Rating: 5/5 'Totally Amazing!'


Your Reviewer:
And now here are some excerpts to really get your interest going from the book. Mind, I'm trying really hard here to persuade you to read the book, so don't waste all my hard work! Also admire Jaxon's charm and wit in the second and fourth excerpt *winks*. There is a reward if you are patient. 

EXCERPTS:


#1:
The Polatzi woman’s broad body blocked the view of my intended hallway. Her hands were on her hips, and her piercing gaze felt as if it might actually impale me.
Do they teach that death stare to every Polatzi, or is this woman particularly nasty?
“Avery Pike?”
I jutted my chin in the air. “Who’s asking?”
“You were off the grid last night.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I pushed past her before she could say more and felt the smooth fabric of her cape slap my legs as I passed. Fiery anger consumed me, but I kept my expression neutral. Damn Polatzi. They gave me nothing but unanswered questions and a lice-ridden bed at an overcapacity orphanage, yet expected me to revere them. Providing steam–being an asset they couldn’t get rid of–gave me immunity to the Polatzi as long as I didn’t do anything stupid.
Like skipping class and going to see Alice during a night of sweeps.
Yeah, that would fall under the category of life-threateningly stupid, which was a couple notches above incredibly stupid.


#2:
I’d never seen anyone like him in Dome Four. His jawbone was strong, his cheekbones set high. His nose was regal and straight and when my gaze reached his eyes, my breath caught. Stormy blue-grey eyes that reminded me of shale returned my gaze with seemingly genuine curiosity, if not a bit of humor. Strips of colored fabric were woven into his dreadlocked hair, giving it a wildly unique appearance that suited him. His smug expression made me realize he was enjoying this.
“Are you finished checking me out? If you’re not, that’s okay; I allow every new woman I meet a free five-minute gawking period. After that, it’ll cost you.”
Blood rushed to my face. I tore my eyes from his magnetic gaze and watched as he took a worn leather strap off his wrist. He pulled back his dreadlocks–deep brown streaked with blonde–into the strap. His devilish grin pulled his eyes tight at the corners. He was trouble incarnate. Trouble I may very well want to get into, given the right circumstances.
“You’re at five minutes and thirty seconds now,” he said in a purr as he leaned in toward me. I felt his breath against my cheek, and my heart raced. “I’m going to start taking payment, and I choose how that payment is issued.”
Before I could respond, Alice stirred groggily beside me. She rubbed her eyes as she sat up. “Where are we?”
“Good question,” piped Jaxon. “One that your friend here failed to ask, but it could have been because I rendered her speechless with my good looks.”
Alice moved to get a better look at him, but he emphatically covered his face, as though he were a vampire trying to block the sun. “Don’t look at me!” he cried, then grinned as he winked at me. “I don’t want to make two ladies swoon in such a short period of time. How would I entertain myself tonight?”
“You’re not that handsome,” I argued mulishly.
“There’s drool on your chin. Either you’re physically unable to keep your mouth shut, or I caused you to forget how. Since when I found you, you were drool free, I’m going with the assumption that it was me.” He fished in his pocket and offered me a piece of white silk. “Here, a handkerchief for your trouble.”


#3:
I was moving double time to keep up with his long strides. He seemed so sure of himself, so in control of his destiny, even in this place, where he claimed we were imprisoned. I didn’t have a shred of doubt that what Jaxon wanted, Jaxon got. He owned his life. I so desperately wanted to own mine as well. Could he help me take control of it, or would he cause it to crash around my feet? For some reason, it felt like either option would be exhilarating if he were involved.
Exhilarating and dangerous.
The back of his shirt was soaked. The small “v” of muscles at the base of his spine flexed as he craned his neck to make sure I was still behind him. Why did that give me butterflies?
He turned and smiled. “Are you even listening to me? You’re way past your ogling allotment.”
“I’m not ogling you.”
“Trust me, I’ve experienced enough ogling to know it when I see it. If you’d prefer to ogle in peace, I’ll turn around again. There have been contests where my ass took first place in squeezability.”
“You must have been the only person in the running.”
He grinned mischievously. “And the only one to vote, but a win is still a win, right?”


#4:
Out of nowhere, his breath ran like warm water over the back of my neck. I closed my eyes for a moment, then forced them back open. No. Not Jaxon. Nothing for Jaxon.
“Now it’s Mr. Pierce, eh?” He put one of his large hands at the small of my back to lead me toward Xander’s office. “I think I’m going backwards.”
“You are backwards, Jaxon.”
He laughed and muscled around me, sliding far too much of his toned body against me as he moved past. His chiseled chest pressed against mine as he leaned in, inches from my mouth. I sucked in a breath to avoid his scent. No dice. It still overpowered me. His smile was evident even in the low light, and I bit my lip to keep from sighing. His hand brushed my cheek, and he ran a finger down the side of my neck, sending shivers through me. “If I were backwards, I’d be Noxaj,” he whispered huskily. “What kind of name is that? It’s not sexy at all.”
“I never said you were sexy,” I whispered as his hands roved through my hair at the base of my neck.
“No, no you didn’t…” His lips were on my neck. His hands worked down my back.
I stood there like a wet noodle, incapable of responding.
Do something! Touch him back! my brain screamed, but my body felt detached. Do something, or he’s going to think you’re on the relationship short bus.
He pulled away to search my eyes, but for what, I didn’t know.
I willed myself to give him something. Anything. An awkward grin, accompanied by a cough was all I could muster. Really, Avery? Seriously? I knew later replays of this moment in my mind, no matter how awful, wouldn’t compare to the actual event.

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Author BioMegan Curd is a graduate of Northwestern College in St. Paul, Minnesota. While having always enjoyed reading any books she could get her hands on, Megan didn’t begin writing until a friend encouraged her to do so while in college.

When not writing, Megan enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She loves to snowboard and travel to new places, and doesn’t turn down the opportunity to play xBox with her brother and friends when it presents itself.

Megan currently resides in Stanton, Kentucky with her husband, son, and Great Dane named Dozer.

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