Monday, 21 October 2013

Review: Resist (Breathe #2) by Sarah Crossan

Resist (Breathe, #2)Resist

Author: Sarah Crossan
Series: Breathe
Pages: 400
Genre: Young Adult
Release date: 8th October 2013
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Amazon


Synopsis. (Goodreads)

The sequel—and conclusion—to Sarah Crossan's Breathe. Three teen outlaws must survive on their own in a world without air, exiled outside the glass dome that protects what's left of human civilization. Gripping action, provocative ideas, and shocking revelations in a dystopian novel that fans of Patrick Ness and Veronica Roth will devour.

Bea, Alina, and Quinn are on the run. They started a rebellion and were thrown out of the pod, the only place where there's enough oxygen to breathe. Bea has lost her family. Alina has lost her home. And Quinn has lost his privileged life. Can they survive in the perilous Outlands? Can they finish the revolution they began? Especially when a young operative from the pod's Special Forces is sent after them. Their only chance is to stand together, even when terrible circumstances force them apart. When the future of human society is in danger, these four teens must decide where their allegiances lie. Sarah Crossan has created a dangerous, and shattered society in this wrenching, thought-provoking, and unforgettable post-apocalyptic novel.

Review: 4 out of 5 stars

Resist is the final book in the Breathe series, and it certainly ended in a way that left me wanting more, the action sequences were breathtaking and the characters each truly wonderful, I’m saddened it has come to an end.

Resist follows the journey of Alina, Quinn and Bea now exiled from the glass dome and in search of the last known safe haven, Sequoia, with them on the trip are other survivors from The Grove each trying to survive in a world now devoid of air.

The plot is complicated with many shock revelations and threats, The Ministry was brutal but Sequoia brings many surprises and loyalties come to be tested, it certainly wasn’t as I had expected and forced the characters to fight for themselves and their own survival.

There is so much character development in this book, Alina is a fabulous character who has had to endure so much but she is resilient and has faith in the Resistence. I adored Quinn who has really matured and I enjoyed his interactions and the way he protected Bea but I did find myself expecting more from the romance. Bea is such a sweet, smart character but there is hardness about her now, she doesn’t appear as weak as what she did in the first book. It was also nice to see things from Ronan, the son of the mister of the Pod’s perspective, I came to really appreciate him as a character.

Resist brings us four POV’s which I admit I'm not a big fan of but it worked quite well & the transition between each character was flawless. There were many twists and turns and events which I wouldn’t have expected but it made for a fast paced read and the edgy humour and romance balanced it all out perfectly.

Resist showed us the desperation, courage, hope and survival, it is written extremely well, it is simplistic and has you gripping the pages hoping for a satisfactory ending but unfortunately that was also my biggest gripe, it didn’t leave me content, I was hoping for complete closure but it was bittersweet and I found myself wanting more answers.

Overall, Resist is a thought provoking sequel that is entertaining and well written. I’m definitely more than eager to read more books by Sarah Crossan.

Thank-you kindly to Greenwillow Books for the opportunity to read and review Resist.

 

Sarah CrossanAbout the author: Sarah Crossan is Irish. She graduated with a degree in Philosophy and Literature before training as an English and Drama teacher at Cambridge University and worked to promote creative writing in schools before leaving teaching to write full time. 

She completed her Masters in Creative Writing at the University of Warwick in 2003 and in 2010 received an Edward Albee Fellowship for writing.

She currently lives in NYC. 

Saturday, 19 October 2013

Blog tour: Only For You (For You #1) by Genna Rulon

Hi everyone, I am pleased to be able to participate in the ONLY FOR YOU book tour hosted by author, Genna Rulon.


Title: Only For You
Author: Genna Rulon
Series: For You #1
Published: September 24, 2013
Category: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance


Synopsis:

“In its purest form love is self-sacrificing, eternal, selfless, enduring, truthful, forgiving and indulgent.  It also feels an awful lot like a kick to the stomach when you try to fight it!”
           
All Everleigh Carsen wanted to do was complete her final semester at Hensley University and begin the life she carefully planned.

When a wave of violent crime seizes campus, Everleigh is persuaded by her best friend to attend a school sponsored self-defense seminar, where she meets volunteer instructor, Hunter Charles. After Everleigh’s biting sarcasm induces Hunter to eject her from class, an explosive relationship is born.

Everleigh is determined to forget the striking man, but fate—that fickle shrew—continuously intervenes. Unable to escape him, she declares Hunter an enemy combatant.  The only complication…Hunter is resolutely pursuing vindication…by any means necessary. Verbal warfare ensues, and despite Everleigh’s ingenious efforts, in Hunter, she has finally found her equal.

Only For You is a compelling tale of friendship, desire, and redemption—brimming with intelligent characters, witty dialogue, unexpected twists, profound sorrow, unfettered hope, and love’s unassailable perseverance.

• This story is appropriate for readers 18+
• Though Only For You is a part of the For You Series, the book can be read as a stand-alone.

Characters

We meet some amazing characters in Only For You! This is Genna’s casting.

  

Only For You – Top Ten Play List

1.       Sweet As Hole by Sarah Bareilles
2.       Born This Way by Lady GaGa
3.       A Friend to Me by Garth Brooks
4.       Complicated by Carolyn Dawn Johnson
5.       Smile by Lonestar
6.       I Can’t Make You Love Me by Bonnie Raitt
7.       Full of Grace by Sarah McLachlan
8.       Open Arms by Journey
9.       She’s Every Woman by Garth Brooks
10.    When You Say Nothing At All by Allison Krauss

Excerpt: 

As I approached, Hunter rose to greet me, gallantly appropriating my tray to place it on the table.  He dramatically pulled out my chair and assisted me as I sat.  I appreciated gentility as much as the next girl, but the whole scene struck me as abnormal.
“Care to tell me what that was about?” I distrustfully queried.
“I was merely practicing proper etiquette.”  The twinkle in his eyes belied his innocent excuse.
“You were trying to call attention to our matching faux pas, weren’t you?”
“I will neither confirm nor deny.”
“Ass,” I muttered beneath my breath.
“That is the second time you have called me an asshole,” Hunter said sternly.
“I have never called you an asshole—to your face—I simply left a trail of breadcrumbs from which you could deduce my meaning.”
“Ah ha.  You finally admit that our song is ‘Sweet As Hole’.” 
“I will neither confirm nor deny,” I said, mocking his earlier statement.
“It was exceptionally ingenious of you.”
“I know, right?”
I caught his smile and realized my mistake.  He had tricked me, and I confessed the song I had insulted him with.
“Dammit, Hunter.  How do you always outmaneuver me?  They should have you interrogate suspected terrorists.  You would trick them into revealing their evil plot every time.”
“Nah, terrorism isn’t my specialty.”  He winked before suddenly whistling, “That is some lunch you have there.”
“I’m as hungry as the bear I just spent the last hour pretending to be.  A salad was not going to tame my ravenous need.  Besides, who am I trying to impress?”
“Not me, that’s for sure,” he answered quickly with synthetic sorrow.
“Here I thought you were a martial arts instructor.  Are you moonlighting as a comedian?”
“Martial arts is my moonlighting gig,” he paused as if weighing his words.  “Where is Sam?”
“I’m not sure.  She planned to join us.”  I searched the dining room and saw her at the cashier with Robbie beside her.  “There she is, her new guy Robbie is with her.  Don’t ruin it for her by—just try not to be yourself for a little while.”
“You are a cruel woman, Everleigh.”
  
Author Bio:

Genna Rulon is an up-and-coming contemporary romance author who loves nothing more than a good love story. 

During her 15 years in the corporate world, Genna, inspired by her love of reading, fantasized about penning her own stories.  Encouraged by her favorite authors, many of whom are indie writers and self-published, she committed to pursue her aspirations of writing her own novels.

Genna was raised on Long Island in New York, where she still resides, surrounded by the most amazing family and friends.  Married to a wonderful man who patiently tolerates her ramblings about whichever book she is currently working on, even feigning interest relatively convincingly!  Genna is blessed with two little boys who do their best to thwart mommy's writing time with their hilarious antics and charming extrapolations.

All of Genna’s reviews are brought to you courtesy of copious amounts of coffee and Disney Junior (something has to entertain the boys when mommy is writing).

You can find Genna online at:   www.gennarulon.com Be sure to join the mailing list for updates about future books, as well as giveaways, and other fun facts.

Genna would love to hear from you, and will personally respond to all messages! 
You can contact her as follows: Email genna@gennarulon.com

You can also follow Genna online at: TwitterFacebookGoodreads - Pinterest

Friday, 18 October 2013

Cover reveal - Elemental Enmity series by Christie Rich


I'm excited to bring you the cover re-reveal for author Christie Rich and her Young Adult series, Elemental Enmity!  These books are all released and available for sale, so be sure to pick up a copy today, especially since Five, the first book, is available for FREE!

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Smashwords | Excerpt

About the Elemental Enmity Series:
Rayla Tate is an ordinary girl who wants a bit of freedom from her controlling aunt. When she leaves her hometown, the one place that could have protected her from the fae, to pursue her dreams in the art world, she discovers a new life full of adventure, just not what she expected.

When the world of the fae comes chasing after her, Rayla must learn what her role is in the age old battle for dominance between human and fae. The two worlds collide, bringing her step by step closer to her true destiny and the foe of a lifetime.

True evil rests in the shadows and will do anything to steal Rayla’s power. She must fight for her freedom and those she loves, both fae and human. Will Rayla overcome the odds and free a people enslaved by darkness, or will she find her world plunged into an unimaginable abyss of destruction?

Elemental Enmity is a story about free will, power, love, lust, overcoming inner and outer demons, and the ultimate battle of good versus evil that exists inside each of us. True power comes from within, a lesson, like all of us, Rayla must learn.

Join Rayla on a journey of a lifetime and discover what it means to be truly in love. Five, Elemental Enmity, Book One is FREE on all major e-retailers. I hope you’ll pick up a copy and enjoy a read on me!
About the author:
I grew up daydreaming about fairytales, and my love for discovering new worlds has never died. I am not one of those writers who always knew I would write. I thought that was what other people did until one day, a few years ago, I took a challenge from a friend and typed my first words. My journey has been wonderful, and I cannot imagine a day where I would ever give up writing. My love for reading is what fueled my imagination in the first place and still does. When I am not writing or reading, I enjoy family time with my husband and two children. My family and I live in a quiet community in Northern Utah, and I am so thankful for the rich life I have been blessed with.


 Find the author: 

Giveaway:
$10 Amazon gift card