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Tuesday, 26 April 2022

Omens Bite by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast Review!

 

Title: Omens Bite (Sisters of Salem #2)
Author: P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast
Publish Date: April 5th, 2022
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Source: Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a review copy!

Twin sisters, Mercy and Hunter are witches, descendants of the Goode family of witches. After the murder of their mother at the hands of a foul demon, they have become the protectors of the Gates to different underworlds--ancient portals between their world and realms where mythology rules and the darkest of creatures exist.

The problem is that the Goode sisters have split from each other. Grief and anger have torn them apart, driving Mercy to save the cursed Gates on her own and Hunter into the arms of a dangerous goddess. And when Mercy shifts her focus to the Egyptian Gate and Khenti, the guardian of its Underworld, little does she know that her connection to him will land her in the kind of trouble that only Hunter can save her from.

When it comes to breaking the curse, Mercy and Hunter's bonds are put to the ultimate test.

Penelope's Review

This is the second book in The Sisters of Salem series and follows witch twins Hunter and Mercy as they recover from losing their mom and trying to save the gates. These twins were super close in book one, but grief and trauma have driven a wedge between the sisters that sees them apart for the majority of this book.

Hunter is pretty well-written as a character in this book - she's angry and hurt, determined to stand on her own, rather than in Mercy's shadow, for the first time and I loved it. Her emotions and reactions felt so genuine, even when they weren't exactly the most healthy. It made her seem so relatable, as obviously everyone grieves differently. While Hunter was unfortunately making some arguably terrible decisions in her anger, I am confident that everything happens for a reason and she will find her way back to herself and her twin. 

Mercy, on the other hand, was very selfish and kind of annoying. Like I said, everyone grieves differently, but with Mercy I just kept thinking she needed to get off her high horse and try to be a little more empathetic. I'm curious to see where things go with her, I feel like she may be a bit of a different person in the next book so we'll see.

In terms of plot itself, I liked the storyline here. There was a lot going on with the sisters, the gates, Kirk, etc. We get some hints of romance, but nothing definitive - I have a feeling that might go somewhere in the next book. We ended on a cliff hanger, so I'm interested to see what happens with all of that as well. 

In terms of writing style.... I do agree with some people's reviews saying it's got a bit of a younger feel. It definitely does, but if you read their House of Night series and liked it, then I don't think that will be an issue for you. It's the same sort of feel.

Overall, I'm interested to see where this story takes us. I'm not sure if this is a trilogy or more, but let's see where these witchy twins take us!

Rating: 4/5 Devils!







Monday, 25 April 2022

A Scottish Highland Surprise by Julie Shackman Blog Tour!

 


Hi everyone! Welcome to my stop on A Highland Scottish Surprise by Julie Shackman blog tour! I'm so excited to introduce you all to this book, I hope you love the sound of it and add it to your TBR's! Scroll down to check out the full tour schedule!


Title: A Scottish Highland Surprise
Author: Julie Shackman

Discover the secrets and surprises that the scenic Scottish town of Briar Glen has to offer…

When wedding planner Sophie Harkness refuses to move a friend’s wedding to accommodate a spoilt bridezilla, she finds herself out of a job. That is until she discovers her late grandma has purchased a local shop for her in the pretty Scottish town of Briar Glen.

Surprised and delighted, Sophie opens her own porcelain shop in honour of her grandmother. But when an unusual tea set is left with Sophie, along with a mysterious letter, she can’t help but be intrigued by the story behind the antique.

And when the handsome but aloof art critic Xander North comes knocking on her door, Sophie is about to find out the true colourful past of her latest treasure.

The perfect feel-good romance for fans of Jo Thomas, Katie Fforde and Trisha Ashley.


If you're wondering where you can purchase this lovely book, look no further! Ihave the links here:

UK - Amazon

US - Amazon


About the Author:

Julie Shackman is a former journalist from Scotland, who has always wanted to write feel-good romance. As well as being an author, Julie also writes verses and captions for greetings card companies. Julie admits to having an obsession with stationery and handbags. She is married, has two sons and a Romanian rescue pup, who she named Cooper. A Scottish Highland Surprise is Julie's sixth novel.

https://twitter.com/G13Julie

https://www.facebook.com/julie.shackman

https://www.instagram.com/juliegeorginashackman










Monday, 18 April 2022

The Clandestine Queen by Brandon J Greer Blog Tour + Giveaway!

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Hi everyone! This is my post during the blog tour for The Clandestine Queen by Brandon J Greer. In The Clandestine Queen a fifteen-year-old abandoned witch must find her way home to become queen while trying to escape from a demon hell-bent on destroying her.

This blog tour is organized by Lola's Blog Tours and the tour runs from 29 March till 18 April. You can see the tour schedule here.


The Clandestine Queen
The Clandestine Queen
By Brandon J Greer
Genre: Fantasy
Age category: Young Adult
Release Date: 12 April 2022

Blurb:
A shard of ice hides in her chest
A raging fire burns in his.
A lost queen
A desperate assassin
Together they will change the world.

Maggie Abernathy always thought she was human, even though she could do the most peculiar things. Things no other girl in her village could do. Fifteen years after being abandoned as a baby, she begins to question who she is, where she belongs, and what she might be capable of. When a mysterious letter from the past calls her home, she embarks on a journey that will change her life forever-if she survives.

Loravain-an enslaved, ember-breathing witch hunter-is hot on her trail and gaining fast. If he can find and kill her, he will win what he has sought for twenty years: freedom from the demon he serves. But he knows he isn't supposed to be the villain, and his conscience weighs heavily even as he continues his hunt. Will the prospect of freedom overpower his desire for redemption?

As their fates intertwine, neither knows what the future truly holds.


Links:
- Goodreads
- Bookbub
- Amazon
- B&N
- Cedar Fort

Read the first 5 chapters!
Want to read the first 5 chapters of The Clandestine Queen for free? Get the first 5 chapters here

Brandon J Greer
About the Author:
Brandon J Greer is the second and third oldest in a family of eight kids. (He was second oldest until a new marriage brought a new child that bumped him to third.) To set himself apart from so many siblings, he discovered the arts. Drawing, acting, and writing pulled him in at a young age. His first book, Around the World in About a Year, was written in the sixth grade, complete with hand-drawn illustrations. The book was garbage but won him a place in an arts competition at the local university. Now living in northern Utah with his wife and daughter, he travels as much as he can. His favorite places to go are Yellowstone and Peru.

Author links:
- Website
- Facebook
- Twitter
- Instagram
- TikTok

Giveaway
There is a tour wide giveaway for the blog tour of The Clandestine Queen. Five winners will each win a signed copy of The Clandestine Queen (US Only).

For a chance to win, enter the rafflecopter below:
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Saturday, 9 April 2022

Highland Justice by Heather McCollum ARC Review!

 

Title: Highland Justice (Sons of Sinclair #3)
Author: Heather McCollum
Publish Date: April 26th, 2022
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Source: Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC for review!

Without mercy, there is no love in this third installment of the Sons of Sinclair historical romance series by award-winning author Heather McCollum.

Gideon Sinclair, the third Sinclair brother, judges everything in stark terms of good and evil. There is nothing in between, and he is efficient at passing judgment without mercy. Now that his clan has conquered the warring MacKays, Gideon starts the process of integrating them into the Sinclair Clan. He will sort the people, punish the bad, and better the lives of the good. Judging is as easy to him as breathing, until he meets Cait MacKay, who steals his breath...along with his Sinclair ring.

A young widow, Cait MacKay has given her life over to helping the orphaned children in the clan. But love won’t put shoes on their cold feet and food in their stomachs. Cait tired years ago of seeing the rich get richer and the poor suffer more and more, so she decided to do something about it. An agile thief of the rich by night, when she is caught, the new conquering chief must decide her fate.

When Gideon realizes that the thief is the same woman who had already captured his attention, he hesitates for the first time in his life. Letting her get away with her deed leads to more trouble when she is accused of stealing from King James and is arrested. Now Gideon must commit his own crime against the Scottish crown if he is to save Cait. But can a man who was raised to honor and uphold justice break the law for the woman who’s stolen his heart?

Penelope's Review

This is the third book in the Sons of Sinclair series, but each can be read as a standalone. I read and loved Joshua's story in the second book and I was really excited for Gideon's story! I'm happy to say I was not disappointed!

As the Horseman of Justice, Gideon follows the letter of the law at all times. He doles out punishments and sentences based on what he feels is just and fair, based on both experience and copious amounts of time reading books. Cait, on the other hand, doesn't see the world in black and white. She understands the reality of all the grey areas that life holds and is unafraid to do what is necessary for those she loves regardless of how morally grey her actions may be. 

I absolutely loved these two together. They complemented each other perfectly, both teaching the other something of value and importance. Gideon's view of the world becomes more flexible, and Cait begins to see herself as someone worthy of love. 

There are a few arcs in the story that bring some tension and excitement, but overall it's a happy story. I like this author's writing style, and the little unique elements she adds to her stories to keep a reader turning the pages. I am quite looking forward to Bas's story - I have a feeling it may become my favorite of the series!

Rating: 4/5 Devils!





Friday, 8 April 2022

The Glass Stone by Sara Michaels Blog Tour!

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Hi everyone! This is my post during the blog tour for The Glass Stone by Sara Michaels. The Glass Stone is a magical tale of hope and love inspired by the traditional story of Cinderella. Sometimes, just a little bit of magic is all you need to change the world.

This blog tour is organized by Lola's Blog Tours and the tour runs from 5 till 25 April. You can see the tour schedule here.

The Glass Stone
The Glass Stone (The Jeweled Fairytale Retellings #3)
By Sara Michaels
Genre: Fantasy/ Fairytale Retelling
Age category: Young Adult
Release Date: 5 April

Blurb:
Power can take many forms, but sometimes the greatest magic comes from inside you.

Asha has been a servant for the cruel Duke Bryce for as long as she can remember, and when he married Queen Ilma of the Wind Kingdom, she was dragged to the castle with him and his daughters.

Now, the death of the queen has thrown the castle into panic: if her son, Prince Aither, doesn̢۪t marry before his 18th birthday, the throne will go to Duke Bryce.

Prince Aither knows he must choose a wife, and he̢۪s resigned to his fate. But Duke Bryce has his own ideas about who his bride should be, and if he gets his way, no one will be happy.

Asha is used to watching everything unfold from her place in the kitchen, but she soon finds herself on an unexpected quest set to change her life forever.

Meanwhile, Prince Aither must find a way to make the best of what seems like a hopeless situation and use his powerful magic as a force for good in the kingdom.

The Glass Stone is a magical tale of hope and love inspired by the traditional story of Cinderella. Sometimes, just a little bit of magic is all you need to change the world.

Lose your head in the clouds with Asha and Aither on their magical journey.
EXCERPT:

“Asha, Asha!” A squeaky little voice made her spin around. Mouser reared up on his hind legs on the stone wall, reaching his tiny little paws out toward her. 

Maybe… Asha thought to herself as she noticed the scrap of paper in Mouser’s hand. Maybe animals are just better than people could ever hope to be. Mouser sure had always come through for her when she needed him.

Smiling, Asha reached out for the paper. It was still fully intact, not like the scraps she usually found or that Mouser brought for her drawings from around the castle. “Where’d you get this…?” Her feet still in time with the princess dance, Asha flipped over the parchment and flowing script sprawled across. “The Sun Kingdom!” Her eyes scanned the paper as quickly as she could. “Until we meet at your coronation, Duke Bryce.” She could feel the breeze start to pick up, and she looked around, curious, before peering down at Mouser, a glimmer of anguish washing through her. “I need to get this to Prince Aither—”
The kitchen door burst open, and a gust of wind blew her long hair back. The wooden door splintered as it slammed against the rocky wall behind it and the red on Duke Bryce’s face was as crimson as a Firebrute’s mighty fists.

“What do you think you are doing?” Duke Bryce’s instantly recognizable, dooming voice echoed in Asha’s ears and sent immediate shivers down her spine.

As nerves crept up her body, silencing her, Asha cursed herself for not having Sera’s Wind gift of hearing. Focusing on the Duke’s fuming red face, Asha stopped moving. Red fiery anger bubbled up his body and Asha felt her body crumple into itself. Why had she danced out in the open?

“C-cleaning,” Asha stammered, stuffing the paper into her dress pocket. She gulped, trying to steady her erratically beating heart. Her mouth dropped open slightly, but nothing would have come out, even if she could find the courage to speak.

“Who showed you that dance? I saw you through the window!” Duke Bryce’s voice ricocheted off the tall, stone castle walls that protected them from the outside. But while those walls might protect them from an attack, they were of no protection to Asha as Duke Bryce glowered down at her. “Where’s the mouse, the paper he stole from me?” He pursed his lips together and gritted his teeth so hard the pink in his cheeks turned to fire. “First the art… and now this!” Duke Bryce took two steps toward Asha, and she almost fell over herself, stumbling backward. His eyes scanned the ground—for Mouser? “Learning that dance, for someone like you…”

Duke Bryce gaped at Asha. His hands balled into fists at his sides and his shoulders seemed to shake as he stared at her. Asha was like a deer stuck in a hunter’s shadow, but Asha knew that Duke Bryce could see her even if she didn’t move a muscle. The ticking blood vessel in Duke Bryce’s temple silenced Asha’s every thought—except for those surrounding Duke Bryce’s power. What would he do to her? In the seconds of silence that seemed to stretch on forever in Asha’s mind, the vessel in Duke Bryce’s temple visibly throbbed. And the large clear stone embedded into his carotid artery caught the light as it pulsed in rhythm. An angry roar echoed against the castle’s stone walls as a heavy wind ripped through the quad.

“Give me that letter!” Duke Bryce demanded through gritted teeth. He lunged forward. Asha pulled away, but Duke Bryce grabbed her and tightened his vice-like grip around her forearm. “That letter was private…” 

Asha took a few steps back and her legs knocked against the stone wall. “Private, because… because you plan to hurt Prince Aither? What scheme to you have cooked up with the Sun Kingdom—?” Asha gulped. Anxiety choked her. Had those words really just come out of her mouth?

“I will not let you mess up everything I’ve worked so hard to do…” Duke Bryce stomped his foot into the earth and lunged forward again, trying to grab her, but she slipped free of his grasp.

Asha slipped the gate latch and pushed through it, her heartbeat kicking into overdrive. “I’m telling Aither—” Asha balled her fists in her dress pocket around the letter Mouser had just given her.

“And you’ll ruin everything…” Duke Bryce shook his head, his eyes unfocused on anything but the barrage of thoughts that must have been streaming through his head. “Can’t take any risks…” He rushed her again, this time using his Wind magic to close the gap between them faster than Asha even realized he was moving.

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry,” Asha stammered as she struggled against his grasp, trying to get Duke Bryce to let her go. Panic seized her. One hand twisted around her forearm, while the other squeezed her throat, choking her. Hurting her. “Let… go…!”

Honk! Honk!

Voda spat and hissed at the duke as she moved toward them, her wings and head up, staring pointedly at Duke Bryce as he mumbled wordlessly to himself. She beelined toward them, with her neck stretched out, hissing with every step. Asha tried to back away, but the duke’s grip on her arm didn’t allow her to move much. Voda’s gabble echoed in the small area. As Voda careened closer, Duke Bryce kicked at her, but she continued forward, dodging his flailing limbs until he let Asha go, pushing her to the ground. Dirt and pebbles lodged into her skin, and she cried out, gasping for air. 


Links:
- Goodreads
- Bookbub
- Amazon

Earlier books in the series:
The Chaos DaughterThe Order Revived

The Chaos Daughter (The Jeweled Fairytale Retellings #1) by Sara Michaels
The Chaos Daughter is an action packed adventure of self-discovery inspired by the tale of Anastasia. Question everything, and trust no one: what Nastasya̢۪s about to discover will change the world forever.
You can buy The Chaos Daughter here on Amazon

The Order Revived (The Jeweled Fairytale Retellings #2) by Sara Michaels
The Order Revived is a thrilling quest into the unknown inspired by the empowering story of Mulan. When your true calling is so clear, the only thing you can do is follow your heart.
You can buy The Order Revived here on Amazon

About the Author:
Sara lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two dogs. A lover of the written word from an early age, Sara reads everything from middle grade to young adult and adult novels. She loves genres ranging from science fiction and fantasy to contemporary and historical fiction, which is why she writes and plans to publish across several genres, including contemporary, romance, young adult fantasy, and science fiction.

When she̢۪s not writing, you can find her playing video games, reading way too many books at the same time, singing to music, or riding her motorcycle around a beautiful Washington backdrop. She also writes for several online blogs and newspapers.

Author links:
- Website
- Facebook
- Instagram
- Newsletter

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Tuesday, 5 April 2022

A Most Unusual Duke by Susanna Allen Blog Tour + Guest Post + Giveaway!

Hi everyone! I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the A MOST UNUSUAL DUKE by Susanna Allen Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my guest post and make sure to enter the giveaway! 

 About The Book:

Title: A MOST UNUSUAL DUKE (Shapeshifters of the Beau Monde #2)

Author: Susanna Allen

Pub. Date: December 28, 2021

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Formats: Paperback, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 288

Find it: GoodreadsAmazon, Kindle, Audible, B&NiBooks, KoboTBD, Bookshop.org

Bridgerton meets Werewolves Within in this sparkling shapeshifter Regency romance mixed with humor, steamy chemistry, and fantasy.

The Duke said he'd never get married...

The Prince Regent insists his cousin and fellow bear shifter, Arthur Humphries, the Duke of Osborn, take a mate to ensure the continuation of their species. After all, Arthur is an Alpha, so he must set a good example. The duke would very much prefer to continue his comfortable bachelor lifestyle, but the Prince Regent is not a bear to be poked.

Beatrice, the widowed Marchioness of Castleton, is in possession of a powerful secret. She knows all about Shifters, her horrible late husband being one of them. At any moment, Beatrice could reveal the secrets of the Prince and those like him—unless the Prince can make sure she marries another Shifter.

A marriage between the Duke of Osborn and Beatrice is far from ideal for either one, but at least they won't fall in love...right?

Witty, fantastical, and entirely unique, A Most Unusual Duke is perfect for readers looking for:

• A delicious Regency romp with a paranormal twist
• A devilishly handsome Alpha hero
• A marriage of convenience
• A magical world to sink your teeth into

Reviews:

"Allen continues to make this unusual genre mash-up sing." ― Publishers Weekly

"Susanna Allen Writer's writing is SO GOOD. It sucked me right in. I think you'll love it, too."- Julia Quinn, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Bridgerton series.

 


Grab all 3 books in the Shapeshifters of the Beau Monde series now!

 

Book Trailer:


GUEST POST:

What are your top 5 favourite scenes and why?

When I set out to write a novel, there are key scenes that have sprung up in my imagination, and they're the ones that make me want to write any given book in the first place. They are also the reason I keep on plotting and working through the really hard part of authoring: all the other bits.

As well, there are the scenes that come out of nowhere that are such surprises, such gifts, that they also help get me muscling through the hard parts.

Here are my top five fave scenes in my Shapeshifters of the Beau Monde series, in descending order.

5 Charlotte and Ben arriving at Arcadia

In A Most Unusual Duke, I knew I wanted Arthur, Duke of Osborn, to have his family show up unexpectedly at his falling-down house, in which he had installed himself and Beatrice, his new but not-quite-wanted wife. As Ben swept Charlotte out of their hired carriage, they had two lines of banter that defined them from then on:

“Your drive could do with a good raking,” called the lady.

“What would you know about a good raking?” The man laughed and pinched her cheek, kissed her, and gave her his arm.

I had no idea they were going to have such a bawdy sense of humor, and it only builds from there, through saucy remarks that either fly over Beatrice's head or inspire her to want to roar with laughter, which a lady simply does not do in company.

4 Arthur barging into breakfast and smelling Beatrice

I adore this scene. The household slowly becomes aware that Beatrice's essential scent has finally revealed itself and it culminates in Arthur crashing into the kitchen and having A Big Realization in reaction to it. Then he barges straight out again and no one will tell Beatrice what is going on. As always, she rallies and gets on with her day, and at the end of it, seeks out an explanation from the duke himself, as is only right.

3 Felicity meeting Alfred in his wolf form

I couldn't wait for this to happen so I wrote it immediately upon thinking of it. It really defined a lot about their relationship, before and after this occurrence, and also influenced the actions of Alfred's Beta and Omega, Matthias Bates and O'Mara, respectively. This lead to fave scene 1B in this category, which is Alfred's big reveal, hard on the heels of Felicity realizing that her girlhood dream of being swept off her feet by the most eligible bachelor in the ton has come to pass. She never imagined that said bachelor would have as big a secret...

2 Alfred's proposal at the Montague Ball

Felicity's reputation is shreds; she is the cynosure of gossip; no one believes that she is worthy of being Duchess of Lowell... I am not a fan of public proposals in real life, however nothing but Alfred going down on one knee before the whole of Regency Society would do in this case. And the ring! The ring was an absolute find and worth all the research required to discover it. Without spoiling, diamonds weren't really a thing and didn't have the same sparkly quality we are accustomed to, which lead me down a series of rabbit holes to what became the perfect offering.

1 Secret favorite scene

This may be number one because it's the most recent, but I think it's also my number one fave because it illustrates how a writer's characters often tell them who they are.

There's one action taken by my next female main character, Miss Tabitha Barrington, in A Duke at the Door that I won't spoil, but it made me actually shout as I wrote it.

I wasn't sure about her, even at that stage, after having daydreamed/synopsized/started writing the thing. As a lady apothecary, she required large helpings of composure, but was she too cool and calm? Was she too detached? And then she did what she did at a Sunday meal in Lowell Hall and her entire being expanded from there. You'll know it when you read it!

 

About Susanna Allen:

Susanna Allen...

... moved to Ireland for twelve months — in 1998. Having gained a Master of Philosophy in Irish Theatre Studies from the Samuel Beckett Centre, Trinity College, she embarked on a career in theatre criticism, eventually moving into feature writing on all things cultural, as well as lifestyle-oriented subjects for major Irish titles across newsprint and magazines. 

Writing as Susan Conley, she is the author of Drama Queen and The Fidelity Project, both published by Headline UK, and the soon-to-be republished That

Magic Mischief. Her memoir, Many Brave Fools: A Story of Addiction, Dysfunction, Codependency… and Horses is published by Trafalgar Square Books and recounts the growth and insights she acquired after having taken up horse riding as an adult, post-divorce.

Susan is living her life by the three Rs: reading, writing and horseback riding, and can generally be found on her sofa with her e-reader; gazing out a window and thinking about made-up people; or cantering around in circles. She loves every minute of it!

 

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

Giveaway Details:

2 winners will receive a finished copy of A MOST UNUSUAL DUKE, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

4/4/2022

Books a Plenty Book Reviews

Review

4/4/2022

Fyrekatz Blog

Review

4/5/2022

The Reading Devil

Guest Post/IG Post

4/5/2022

More Books Please blog

Review/IG Post

4/6/2022

@theheavycrownreads

Review

4/6/2022

BookHounds

Guest Post/IG Post

4/7/2022

A Court of Coffee and Books

Review/IG Post

4/7/2022

Sadie's Spotlight

Excerpt/IG Post

4/8/2022

Owl Abridged

Review/IG Post

4/8/2022

Angel's Guilty Pleasures

Excerpt/IG Post

Week Two:

4/11/2022

Quill Tree Fox

Review/IG Post

4/11/2022

#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog

Excerpt/IG Post

4/12/2022

Nagma | TakeALookAtMyBookshelf

Review

4/12/2022

Fire and Ice

Review

4/13/2022

Eli to the nth

Review/IG Post

4/13/2022

Two Points of Interest

Review

4/14/2022

The Momma Spot

Review/IG Post

4/14/2022

@jypsylynn

Review

4/15/2022

onemused

Review/IG Post

4/15/2022

Rajiv's Reviews

Review


Saturday, 2 April 2022

Alone Out Here by Riley Redgate Blog Tour + Giveaway!

Hi everyone! I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the ALONE OUT HERE by Riley Redgate Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 About The Book:

Title: ALONE OUT HERE

Author: Riley Redgate

Pub. Date: April 5, 2022

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 400

Find it: GoodreadsAmazon, Kindle, Audible, B&NiBooks, KoboTBD, Bookshop.org

What do you stand for, when you're one of the last left standing?

The year is 2072. Soon a volcanic eruption will trigger catastrophic devastation, and the only way out is up.

While the world’s leaders, scientists, and engineers oversee the frantic production of a space fleet meant to save humankind, their children are brought in for a weekend of touring the Lazarus, a high-tech prototype spaceship. But when the apocalypse arrives months ahead of schedule, First Daughter Leigh Chen and a handful of teens from the tour are the only ones to escape the planet.

This is the new world: a starship loaded with a catalog of human artifacts, a frozen menagerie of animal DNA, and fifty-three terrified survivors. From the panic arises a coalition of leaders, spearheaded by the pilot’s enigmatic daughter, Eli, who takes the wheel in their hunt for a habitable planet. But as isolation presses in, their uneasy peace begins to fracture. The struggle for control will mean the difference between survival and oblivion, and Leigh must decide whether to stand on the side of the mission or of her own humanity.

With aching poignancy and tense, heart-in-your-mouth action, this enthralling saga will stay with readers long after the final page.

Reviews:

"Redgate explores what makes us human and what makes us teens with excruciating precision, revealing the best―and worst―of both. A fast-paced, beautifully put together story of a girl getting it done."―E. K. Johnston, New York Times #1 best-selling author of Star Wars: Ahsoka

"With its diverse cast of characters and near-future plot line, this book would make a good addition to collections with established audiences for science fiction stories and titles featuring strong examples of female empowerment."―School Library Connection

“An enthralling adventure that’s at once intimate and cinematic, with heart-pounding twists and vividly drawn characters. Redgate’s gorgeous prose poses fascinating questions about the future.”―Romina Russell, author of the New York Times best-selling Zodiac series

“Stunning, visceral, and utterly gripping, Alone Out Here is a vivid look at human determination when forced to survive the impossible. Leigh Chen is a leader unlike any other as she navigates dwindling resources, betrayal, and the ultimate question of what it means to be human.”―C.B. Lee, author of the Sidekick Squad series

“Utterly absorbing, and packed with heart, action, and questions that lingered long past the final page. I read it in a single day.”―Amie Kaufman, author of the Aurora Cycle and the Elementals trilogy 

EXCERPT:

[Epigraph] 

Tell me what you can’t forget, and I’ll tell you who you are. —Julie Buntin, Marlena 

We long only for the world we were born into. —Emily St. John Mandel, Station Eleven

I remember one night more clearly than the rest. It was the hottest July on record, and I was  fifteen, lying awake and sweaty on the faded linen sofa in Lilly’s basement. With the way the crickets were squalling, Lilly couldn’t get to sleep, which meant no chance of sleep for Marcus  or me, either. So the three of us were talking ourselves out into the universe, fantasizing in  scratchy voices about God and death and the first day of sophomore year, and around two a.m.,  we wound up whispering about the end of the world. 

We’d kicked the questions around before. Maybe you did, too. If the apocalypse hit tomorrow, which five people would you pick for your zombie survival team? Which three things  would you take down to the nuclear bunker? What would you save from the wasteland? 

We never settled on answers. Lilly drifted off halfway through, and the next morning,  Marcus kept swapping his choices back and forth, clarifying the rules over breakfast. “Is there  internet in this wasteland?” he asked, thumbing his glasses up. “If I brought my headset, could I  have unlimited games?” 

Lilly rolled her eyes and said, “God, Marcus, what kind of amateur apocalypse do you  think this is?” and I lay back in her window seat and laughed, loose-limbed, careless, because  everything we were saying felt unreal. 

That was three years ago. Now, most nights, I lie awake and watch those moments replaying across the backs of my eyelids. I retrace the pikes of sunlight angled through the  kitchen window or feel the frayed threads of the sofa, the patches that Lilly’s golden retriever  pawed to death when he was too young to know better. I hear the way my best friends sighed  after they laughed, deep and contented, like they’d just taken a cold drink on a hundred-degree  day. It hurts to remember, knowing that two months later, the announcements froze that world  like amber engulfing a living thing. But I can’t make myself stop. 

I wish I could show it to you, too—really show you. I wish I could scan my old life out  into VR space so you could walk all the way inside. We’d step through Lilly’s messy little kitchen like archaeologists through some perfectly preserved temple, and I’d pause the scene,  point to the scar on Lilly’s chin, and tell you that happened when we were thirteen, the day she  hacked off a foot of her hair with a pair of garden shears on a dare from Marcus. He wasn’t even  being serious, and as for me, I stood there and watched with a stupid grin on my face, not  believing it would happen until it did. And maybe you’d say Lilly sounds reckless or impulsive,  and Marcus and I should have known better. And I’d say, probably, but that’s Lilly, that’s Marcus, that’s us. That’s what I’d save.

 

About Riley Redgate:

Riley Redgate majored in Economics at Kenyon College and is now based in Chicago, where she was an apprentice with the Onion. She is the author of the critically acclaimed Seven Ways We Lie; Noteworthy, a Kirkus Reviews Best Teen Book and NYPL Best Book; and Final Draft, a Bank Street Book of the Year.

 

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4/10/2022

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