Blog Tour & Review: Frost by Kate Avery Emerson

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Frost (The Frost Chronicles, #1) by Kate Avery Emerson

Release Date: April 18, 2012

Publisher: CreateSpace
Author Information: Twitter / Blog
Genre: Dystopian, Fantasy, Romance
Available Formats: Paperback and eBook
Purchase: Amazon / Barnes & Noble

In the icy, monster-plagued world of the Frost, one wrong move and a person could end up dead—and Lia Weaver knows this better than anyone. After monsters kill her parents, she must keep the family farm running despite the freezing cold and threat of monster attacks or risk losing her siblings to reassignment by the village Elders. With dangers on all sides and failure just one wrong step away, she can’t afford to let her emotions lead her astray. So when her sister finds a fugitive bleeding to death in the forest—a young stranger named Gabe—Lia surprises herself and does the unthinkable.

She saves his life.

Giving shelter to the fugitive could get her in trouble. The Elders have always described the advanced society of people beyond the Frost, the “Farthers,” as ruthless and cruel. But Lia is startled to find that Gabe is empathetic and intelligent…and handsome. She might even be falling in love with him.

But time is running out. The monsters from the forest circle the farm at night. The village leader is starting to ask questions. Farther soldiers are searching for Gabe. Lia must locate a secret organization called the Thorns to help Gabe escape to safety, but every move she makes puts her in more danger.

Is compassion—and love—worth the risk?

Review:

Oh, hello to my new guilty pleasure. This book was everything I was hoping for and more. Frost was a beautifully crafted dystopian tale with a light sprinkle of darkness/grittiness that kept things interesting. With the setting being a fantastical ice world comparable to the one found in C.S. Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, I was immediately intrigued by this new, post-apocalyptic land. Emerson did not fail to deliver a captivating read in Frost!

My favorite part about this book was the characters. I respected Lia and her perseverance greatly, and it is always nice to see a girl not bow down to her fears. She cares deeply for her family, she has a strong sense of justice, and she is willing to help a dying fugitive. Add to the fact that she can take care of herself and watch her own back, what more could you possibly need in a female lead? I also appreciated Gabe’s character. He was definitely intriguing, but I really wish we could have gotten more of a feel for who he is. His character is shrouded in mystery from beginning to end, and while that did capture my interest (who doesn’t love them mysterious boys?), I did not really feel like I got to know who he was. Here’s to hoping for more of him in book 2!

I know I already mentioned the setting/world of Frost, but I am going to say it again: I LOVED THE SETTING. Slightly magical and extraordinarily dangerous, I loved figuring out more about this new world. With monsters lurking in the background and never being truly safe, the world is a bleak and dark place. Emerson describes Iceliss and the surrounding areas vividly, and her rich and evocative writing style really helped bring both the world and her characters to life.

Not to be a Debby-downer here, but there was one issue I had with this book: it was too short. I think that all the minor problems I had (such as the rushed ending/romance and lack of background story) can be blamed on the length of the book. I think this book would have benefited greatly from being slightly longer. That is not to say that this book is not enjoyable as it (since it most certainly is a great read!), but I think it really would have been amazing with a few more pages and background story added in.

Overall, Frost was a wonderful read, and I would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of dystopian literature or just so happens to be looking for a good book to pick up. I cannot wait to see what Emerson has for us in the next installment, Thorns (especially after that crazy cliffhanger of an ending!).  

A Great Escape

Blog Tour & Review: Earth by Shauna Granger

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Earth (Elemental, #1) by Shauna Granger

Release Date: May 1, 2011
Publisher: Shauna Granger

Author Information: Blog / Twitter / Facebook

Genre: Magic, Romance, Paranormal

Available Formats: Paperback and eBook
Purchase: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Books-A-Million / The Book Depository

Shayna and her two best friends have the abilities to manipulate and control the four elements, earth, air, water and fire. While learning to hone their growing powers, they discover a new and malicious presence in their sleepy beach town. Someone is performing blood magic and threatens to expose their small magical community. So far only small animals have been slaughtered, but then the nightmares start.

Shayna suffers nightmares of being chased and sacrificed only to wake up bloodied and bruised. She thinks her magical blood is the ultimate target for the final blood rite. When an innocent girl, Tracy, is kidnapped Shayna knows it's only a ploy to draw her out; she can't let someone die because of her.

Review:

Here is why you will enjoy Earth:

1.  There is mystery, magic, and romance! How could you not love all three of those things put together?

2.  Shay is an awesome, kick-ass character who never backs down from a challenge.

3.  There is a hot, totally swoon-worthy character and love interest in Jensen (downside: he is not in this book nearly enough for my liking.)

4. Shay is not one to fall for just a pretty face, and she is not afraid to call Jensen out when she suspects him. In fact, she makes him work for everything he earns (her trust, etc.). Props, girl.

5. Excellent banter and dialogue.

6. A gripping storyline.

7. One of the best self-published books I have ever read. EVER.

I know I already mentioned it once, but I will say it again:

8. There is magic, magic, and more magic! Intense and descriptive rituals, the calling of elemental magic, spells, this book has it all!

So those are a few simple reasons why I enjoyed Earth, in a nutshell. I was captivated by this story, and I am really looking forward to reading the next installment!

A Great Escape

Blog Tour & Review: Fall for You by Cecilia Gray

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Fall for You (Jane Austen Academy Series, #1) by Cecilia Gray

Release Date: February 10, 2012

Publisher: The Alpha Division, LLC
Author Information: Website / Twitter / Facebook
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Short Story
Available Formats: eBook
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Jane Austen meets Pretty Little Liars in this fresh, new young-adult series!

The last thing that the girls at the elite Jane Austen Academy need is hot guys to flirt with. Please. They need to stay focused on something that lasts much longer: an acceptance letter from an Ivy.

But over the summer the school has been sold, and like it or not, the guys are coming. And it's about to turn the Academy--and the lives of its students--totally upside down...

To say Lizzie and Dante are polar opposites is the understatement of the century. He's a snooty Exeter transfer with more money than Google. She's a driven study-a-holic barely keeping up with tuition. It's obvious that Dante thinks he's way too good for Lizzie. And Lizzie knows Dante is a snob with a gift for pushing her buttons.

But things are changing fast this year at the Academy. And when Lizzie's quest to stop those changes blows up in her face, taking her oldest friendship with it, she has nowhere else to turn but to Dante, with his killer blue eyes, his crazy-sexy smile, and his secrets... Secrets Lizzie can't seem to leave alone, no matter how hard she tries...

Review:
Fall for You was the most adorable contemporary romance short story I have come across in a while, and with the perfect dash of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice elements added, I enjoyed it thoroughly.

Whether you happen to be a fan of the wonderful Jane Austen or not, there are so many things to appreciate about this Pride and Prejudice retelling. It was truly a fluffy, fun read, and Gray does a wonderful job incorporating a vast amount of emotions and drama in a 100 page story. I was captivated from the very beginning to the very end, and I cannot wait for the second installment in this series!

I loved all the characters. There is Lizzie (aka Elizabeth), Dante (aka Mr. Darcy- the teenage version!), Anne, Emma, Edward, Georgiana, etc… you get the picture. Oh, these names are so very 18^th century England! Lizzie is very much a modern day Elizabeth, with a strong desire for knowledge and success and a quick wit. She is a rather complex character, and I loved her curiosity and drive to know everything. Dante is very reminiscent of Mr. Darcy, and similar to Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth’s first encounter, Dante slights Lizzie. However, he comes to know who Lizzie actually is, and I loved seeing him slowly fall for her. Together, they are an adorable and squee-worthy couple, and I love them every bit as much as I love Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth.

Oh, I could continue to gush and swoon about this book, but I do not think that would be necessary. I might be a bit biased with this read since I am a HUGE Jane Austen fan and tend to love anything that is influenced from her work (save Pride and Prejudice and Zombies…that was just bad). Cecilia Gray has definitely made a fan out of me and I am eager to see what she has in store for us next!

A Great Escape!

Waiting on Wednesday (31)

Waiting on Wednesday was created by Jill at Breaking the Spine, and it's a weekly meme mentioning an anticipated upcoming release!

My choice:

Taken (Taken, #1) by Erin Bowman

Release Date: April 16, 2013
Publisher: HarperTeen
Author Information: Website / Tumblr / Twitter

Other Information: Debut

Pre-Order: Amazon / Books-A-Million / The Book Depository
Add to Goodreads!

There are no men in Claysoot. There are boys—but every one of them vanishes at midnight on his eighteenth birthday. The ground shakes, the wind howls, a blinding light descends...and he’s gone.

They call it the Heist.

Gray Weathersby’s eighteenth birthday is mere months away, and he’s prepared to meet his fate–until he finds a strange note from his mother and starts to question everything he’s been raised to accept: the Council leaders and their obvious secrets. The Heist itself. And what lies beyond the Wall that surrounds Claysoot–a structure that no one can cross and survive.

Climbing the Wall is suicide, but what comes after the Heist could be worse. Should he sit back and wait to be taken–or risk everything on the hope of the other side?

First, I LOVE this cover. The colors, mirrored glass, and even the crazy upside-down tree totally appeal to me! After reading the synopsis of the book, I am even more excited. Although I am not too sure what a world without older men would be like (I imagine there would be a lot of cat fights going on….), I am definitely intrigued by it! I really can’t wait for Taken!!

What is your pick this week?

Send me a link, and I will be sure to check it out! :)

Blog Tour, Review & Excerpt: Empyreal Fate by Rachel Hunter

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Empyreal Fate by Rachel Hunter

Release Date: May 8, 2012
Publisher: Hydra Publications
Author Information: Website / Twitter
Genre: Fantasy (Epic), Romance
Available Formats: Paperback and eBook
Buy the Book: Amazon 

Filled to the brim with forbidden love, an ancient evil, and a nation in disrepair, Empyreal Fate is a tale of riveting bravery and mortal corruption.

The land of Llathala lingers on the brink of war between men and elves, a dark history surrounding each race. Stirred by tensions of the land, a shadow of the past reemerges, taking precedence in reality and consuming the very soul of mans’ mortal weakness. Darrion, the son of a poor laborer, is ensnared in a hostile world, forced to choose between loyalty to his king or the counsel of the elves. Yet Fate has other plans in store, tying his course to Amarya, an elven royalblood of mysterious quality and unsurpassable beauty. But this forbidden connection incites betrayal from members of their own kin, marking them as traitors to the crown. In a land torn asunder, only Fate’s decree can allow such love to coexist with an ancient enmity.

Behold: A Llathalan Annal: Empyreal Fate – Part One.

Review:

Empyreal Fate is a magical tale woven by Rachel Hunter, a teenager whose imagination knows no bounds. (Published teenager? Color me impressed!) She far surpasses others of her age by producing this beautiful and lyrical read, and this fantastical story grabbed my attention immediately and continued to hold it until the very last page.

Please pardon the following (and brief) fangirl moments! Moment #1: YAY for YA Epic Fantasy reads! There are not nearly enough out there, in my opinion. Moment #2: YAY for elves! I am ashamed hesitate to admit that whenever there is an elf in a book, they always look like Legolas in my head, regardless of character description. Seeing as to how Empyreal Fate is partially about elves, I kind of conjured up a world of Legolases! (I would totally live there!) Also, elves are also somewhat scarce in current YA literature, so that was just another thing I ended up appreciated about this book.

*ahem* Back to the topic at hand. There are so many things happening in this book, and I was very impressed by the tone and pacing of the story. The point of view changes multiple times, but each character’s voice is distinct. I felt like I got to understand all the characters, even the ones in the background. The world building was also fantastic, and I was thoroughly captivated by this elven/human land (Legolas land! :D) Packed full of political corruption and turmoil, epic battle scenes, a whirlwind romance, and elves, Empyreal Fate is a book you shouldn’t miss out on! I cannot wait to see what Ms. Hunter will have for us next!

A Great Escape

Excerpt:

Darrion stared, dazed, into Amarya's face as she loomed above him, concern defining her frame. Lifting himself, he sat, uncertain how he had come to lie upon the ground. He did not remember falling; he had no recollection.

"You did well,” the elf congratulated, extending a slender hand.

Darrion rubbed his head, feeling a tenderness that had not been there before. "What happened?" he asked, taking her hand and rising.

            "I saw not of your mind, but from what I could figure, you gained entrance to the thoughts of a rambling oak. I know this to be true, for I could see your eyes swimming beneath the lids. Such does not occur unless a connection is made.” Amarya beamed, eyes sparkling with pride despite her pupil’s faint. With eager strides, she began smoothing the creases of his tunic. "You drifted too far, however – missing the mark. Your focus broke upon more than a single entity; your mind roamed in places it was not meant. As a result, your consciousness receded, and your celestial bond forged hollow spaces to compensate. Once that barrier snapped, the voices of many within the Illex, not merely the trees, poured through you. It was an overload of understanding – most mortals cannot handle such. But no need to fret; you’ve far surpassed the most capable of beginners. I am simply surprised you made contact at all."

            Darrion stepped back, feeling the lightness of his chest. With clouded thoughts, he speculated the feat he had barely attained. Few words could describe his awe - the confusion - that enveloped him. Dizziness clothed him as a tumbled reed.

Resting one palm against the bark of an oak, he listened - intent - as though searching for a beating heart against the trunk. Despite his wavering state, he was glad for Amarya’s tutelage. This feeling… it was almost surreal.

            "To my knowledge, never has a human discerned as much as you.” Amarya’s pale hand sought Darrion's shoulder, and he melted at her touch. "I'm uncertain what it means - for indeed, your ability comes as no coincidence… But the mortal mind proves oft unable to comprehend the spiritual realm. Not that it's impossible, but man forgets his possession. He knows not of the awareness beyond material senses. You, Darrion, are not like other men. You – you’re different." She shifted her jaw, examining him as if for answers.

"It’s true… I never knew the depths to which magic strayed," Darrion murmured, almost trembling from his ethereal venture. "I used to think it all frivolous tricks of the tongue."

"Not quite,” Amarya offered. "Those who perform incantations, as you suggest, are sorcerers - mere magicians who rely on handholds and false words to create masked illusions. In some cases – nigh, but rare - such illusions become reality. Regardless, the art lacks in form. Words are the derivation of mortals - a human contrivance, unnecessary for understanding. They are not real, as nature is real. Nay, words are but crude concepts – trivial in the matter of divine understanding. What is meant in one tongue may be opposite in another. How can a concept so unsure create something so pure? The answer is simple: it cannot.”