Tour: Review: Little Robot by Ben Hatke (+giveaway)

Little Robot by Ben Hatke
Publisher: First Second Books
Release Date: September 1st, 2015

When a little girl finds an adorable robot in the woods, she presses a button and accidentally activates him for the first time. Now, she finally has a friend. But the big, bad robots are coming to collect the little guy for nefarious purposes, and it's all up to a five-year-old armed only with a wrench and a fierce loyalty to her mechanical friend to save the day!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book for review. This did not affect my review in any way, nor am I being compensated for it.

As soon as I heard about Little Robot, I knew I wanted to read it. I loved Hatke's Zita series, and I wanted to see more of his work. This one did not disappoint!

First, Little Robot is just so cute. It seems to be aimed at a younger audience than Zita was, but I still really enjoyed exploring the content of the book. Even though there are very few words (and most of the words are more onomatopoeia than anything), the images convey so much of the story and emotions. Hatke really allows the artwork to take the lead in this one. Because of its surface simplicity, this book is great for young children just starting to read. At the same time, the depth of the illustrations make it enjoyable for older audiences as well. The images really speak a thousand words.

I found that there wasn't a lot of substantive background or information on the world, the girl/her background, and the robots, but it wasn't a big deal and aren't the focus of the story. I did, however, want to highlight the main character, whose name we don't even know. Once again, Hatke seamlessly includes a female protagonist, this one a black female protagonist. It's so rare to see such representation in books for young children, particularly graphic novels, but Hatke always manages to do it well. It's not made into a big deal, but that's what is so amazing about it. In addition, I love how she gets to use her skills to solve problems. She takes things into her own hands, and she's smart and capable of solving her own problems. Again, we rarely see young females take this kind of lead and we rarely see them use their own smarts. I just love how Hatke doesn't make a big deal out of it--it's just a part of the story and a part of her character.

I absolutely adored Little Robot, and though I don't know if this one trumps the Zita series, this is one that shouldn't be missed, particularly if you're looking for books for young children/beginner readers.

Giveaway!
Ends September 26th

~~

~Must be 13 or older or have parent permission

~US only

~Winner must respond in 72 hours or a new winner will be chosen

~I am not responsible for lost packages. The book will be sent by the publisher.

~I don't accept entries made from giveaway accounts. Sorry!

All you have to do is tweet:

I want to win a copy of @BenHatke's Little Robot, featuring an amazing female PoC protagonist, from @FlytoFiction! http://flytofiction.blogspot.com/2015/09/tour-review-little-robot-by-ben-hatke.html

(or something similar)

OR 

Comment below and tell me your favorite children's book featuring a female and/or PoC as protagonist!

Tour: Interview: The Pointless Book 2 by Alfie Deyes (+giveaway)

Hey everyone! Today is a really exciting day because I got the chance to ask Alfie Deyes of YouTube fame (PointlessBlog) some questions, and I'm also giving away a signed copy of The Pointless Book 2 to a lucky winner in the US (sorry international peeps!). I'm really honored to have gotten this opportunity, but without further ado, here's some info on Alfie's books, my short thoughts on them, and then the interview and giveaway.

 

The Pointless Book 
Release Date: September 4th, 2014
The Pointless Book 2
Release Date: April 7th, 2015
Publisher: Running Press

I follow Alfie and watch his videos every once in a while, and his book was one of the first YouTuber books released. The two books are very similar to Keri Smith's Wreck This Journal and similar books. But there are also little hints of Alfie's individual personality in there, which is a really great touch for fans. I also liked how there was an interactive aspect of it where you could view exclusive content showing Alfie doing some of the challenges and such. It's great for fans of Alfie, but if you're not a fan, I would just go with buying something more along the lines of Wreck This Journal.

~~~

Interview:

Fly to Fiction (Me): I guess I'll start by tackling the biggest question. Many Youtubers have had books and/or book deals recently, and there's been a mix of good and bad reactions. As a Youtuber with now two books out, do you feel like the trend makes getting a book deal seem less special, or do you look at each person's success separately?

Alfie Deyes: I’m so proud and happy that so many of my friends are being offered the opportunity to create something they’ve always wished to do. It’s just amazing!

FtF: When you put a book out there, it often feels like you're putting yourself out there. You're probably pretty used that feeling already anyway, but I can imagine having a book out does feel different. Every author and every book gets a mix of good and bad reviews. What's your take on negative reviews?

AD: I haven’t actually seen any negative reviews. I’m not one to search for stuff like that, I prefer to spend my time interacting with those who support what I do.

FtF: We book bloggers love to book push our favorite books and authors. I usually hate getting asked what my favorite book is--I give the cop out answer of the Harry Potter series--but I love hearing what others choose, so what are some of your favorite books/books that have shaped or influenced you?

AD: I get influenced by so many different things! Books, people, films, quotes & my family and friends.

FtF: And I'll end with a short one: who's your favorite female character of all time?

AD: Hermione Granger!

~~~

Giveaway:

~Must be 13 or older or have parent permission

~US only

~Winner must respond in 72 hours or a new winner will be chosen

~I am not responsible for lost packages. The book will be sent by the publisher.

~I don't accept entries made from giveaway accounts. Sorry!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour: Shade by Cody Stewart (Guest Post) (+giveaway)

Shade by Cody Stewart
Publisher: Midnight Frost Books
Release Date: August 24th, 2014

Clendon Kiernan has always preferred the shadows. A place where he was free from the hate and fear, from the stares and ridicule of others. One night Clen discovers the shocking truth of why. He is a Shade. A thing of darkness. A creature with the ability to shred souls. When a vile whisper tells him to destroy everything around him Clen does the only thing he can. But he cannot run from himself. The darkness growing inside Clen will soon consume him if he does not learn to control it. In his quest to do so, Clen learns that there is an entire world that exists in the shadows of Ellis, a world that has been hidden from him – secret clans with extraordinary abilities, the ghosts of a hidden past, and a war that’s been brewing for millennia. Clen must uncover the true history of Ellis, see through the generations of lies and deceit, and suffer betrayal and heartbreak if he is to save all those who hate and fear him. But when he learns the truth, will he want to? The darkness in him could save Ellis. Or it could be what destroys it.

Amazon | Midnight Frost Books |  Smashwords | Bookstrand 

About the Author:

Cody was born in Upstate New York. Eventually setting off to seek his fortune, he worked in a paper mill, a whipped cream factory, cleaned apartments, and administratively assisted several organizations before returning to the Adirondacks with a wife and child that he picked up along the way. He approaches life as though it were a page – frequently rearranging paragraphs to make it more interesting if not wholly true, fudging with the margins to fit more in, and, sometimes, erasing entire sections altogether. When not altering reality, he is scouring comic book shops, lying on the ground, or floor (whichever he happens to be standing on when he feels the need to go horizontal), trying to convince his wife to make french toast (she makes amazing french toast), and searching for the darkest cup of coffee in existence.

Website | Twitter | Facebook

Guest Post: Deciding to Be an Author

Scribbling stories in the margins of my marble notebook during Social Studies, it never occurred to me that I might one day be an author. I was already a writer. I knew that right then as I wrote an alternate history of the world where Archduke Franz Ferdinand did not die, but was saved with the use of cybernetic implants, and tore across Europe in all his robot fury, brutally dismantling the international conspiracy behind his attempted assassination. I had always been a writer. I couldn’t not tell stories. My head would explode. Writing is how I relate to the world and the people in it.

But to be an author? To publish something? Be paid for it? Pure fantasy. The romantic notions of a wide eyed child. So I didn’t much think about it for the next ten years. I had no idea what I sort of study to pursue at college. I didn’t even know I was going to college until three months before it started. With all the options available to me, none seemed right. Except writing. Literature classes, writing workshops, seminars, degree. Still, I never considered writing as a career option. I just went into soul-punching debt, but, for some reason, didn’t consider my field of study as a viable career path. Instead, I bused tables, waited tables, worked on a whipped cream factory assembly line, worked in a paper mill, and cleaned college apartments before landing at a nonprofit agency.

That was the first job I ever had that I actually liked. It was also my first desk job. I don’t know what I thought a desk job would be like - lots of typing, stacking papers in piles, stapling, I guess. Something. But there were long stretches of nothing. These periods of wasted time filled me with anxiety at first. I’m getting paid right now, right? I thought. I really feel like I should be doing something. I’ve been playing Minesweeper for four hours. Those feelings eased eventually, to the point where I stared blankly at my computer screen with drool dribbling down my chin.

Then, suddenly, my fingers started moving. I was typing something. I was writing a story. I wrote fifty percent of Shade at that desk. And I thought Man, I wish I could get paid to do this. Technically, I was getting paid to do that, but not the way I wanted to. I didn’t want to write secretly at my desk only to have to pretend I was busy stacking papers in piles and stapling things when my boss walked in. I wanted a desk where I was meant to write. I wanted to be published. I wanted to get paid to do what I loved. I wanted to be an author.

Giveaway
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The Tour Schedule: 

October 31st

SleepsOnTables – Review

November 1st

Suzy Turner, YA Author – Interview

Hope To Read – Promo Post

November 2nd

Archaeolibrarian – I dig good books! – Guest Post

November 3rd

Bella Harte Books – Promo Post

November 4th

YaReads – Interview

November 5th

NaYa Books and More – Promo Post

Fictional Thoughts – Guest Post

November 6th

M&EM Read YA – Review

Diane’s Book Blog – Interview

November 7th

Mythical Books – Guest Post

Becoming Books – Promo Post

November 8th

Cassandra M’s Place – Promo Post

November 9th

Bookworm In Barrie – Promo Post

November 10th

Lisa Loves Literature – Review

November 11th

Mystical Lit Lounge – Review

November 12th

Reading Over Sleeping – Interview

November 13th

WTF Are You Reading? – Promo Post

Reading is My Treasure – Guest Post

November 14th

My Book Chatter – Guest Post

November 15th

Adventures in Writing – Promo Post

November 16th

I Feel the Need, the Need to Read – Review

November 17th

The Caffeinated Booknerd – Promo Post

November 18th

Sleeps on Tables – Interview

All My Book Finds – Review

November 19th

ReadWriteLove28 – Guest Post

Bitches n Prose – Promo Post

November 20th

Imaginative Dreams – Review

A Little Bit of R&R – Interview

November 21st

Blissful Book Reviews – Review

Never Ending Stories – Promo Post

November 22nd

Book Lovers Life – Guest Post

Pandora’s Books – Promo Post

November 23rd

Mindjacked – Review

Fly to Fiction – Guest Post

November 24th

For the Love – Promo Post

November 25th

Just One More Chapter – Review

November 26th

The Book Beacon – Review

November 27th

Mercurial Musings – Review

The Book Cellar - Promo Post

Tour: Review: The Hit List by Nikki Urang (+giveaway)

I'm super excited to be a part of this tour! If you don't already know, I love, love, love dance-related books. :) But also, as a note, I'm still on hiatus, as I'm right in the heart of college applications time. *pulls out hair* I'll be back soon; I just couldn't pass up this opportunity!

The Hit List by Nikki Urang
Publisher: Spencer Hill Contemporary
Release Date: November 11th, 2014

The Los Angeles Conservatory for the Arts is supposed to be a new beginning for Sadie Bryant. Moving across the country is exactly what she needs to escape the gossip surrounding her injury, the devastating betrayal of her ex-partner, and to rebuild her career as a solo dancer.

When the school announces that the annual Fall Showcase, a performance that secures a spot studying in London, will now require each dancer to have a partner, Sadie’s fresh start is a nightmare. Now she has to dance with Luke Morrison, the school womanizer with a big ego. Sadie doesn’t know how to trust Luke enough to dance with him after her last partner left her broken, but Luke is determined to change that.

Then, The Hit List comes out. A game of sexual conquest where guys get points for all the girls they hook up with—and it seems like every guy at the school is playing.

The girl worth the most points? Sadie.

Disclaimer: I received an eARC from the publisher in order to take part in the tour. This did not affect my review in any way.

As mentioned above, I live for dance-related books. I never tire of them, and they just fill me with joy. Thus, I knew I couldn't pass up the opportunity to take part in this blog tour despite my busy November schedule. I don't regret it one bit!

The book was different than I had first imagined it but not necessarily in a bad thing. The character and emotional arcs in The Hit List are what make the book stand out. It was a bit overwhelming at times, seeing how stubborn both Sadie and Luke could be. But at the end, it was my absolute favorite aspect. It was probably the most unexpected part for me, but I'm so glad the book addressed the ways in which loss and betrayal affect us in the case of Sadie and how we can all change and become better people as was the case with both Sadie and Luke. The book is so heart-wrenching because you see Sadie hurting, and it's so easy to empathize with her. Even Luke, who's issues we also get a look at, goes through such a big change in the story. We get to see their struggle, each of them, and we also see them come out of that struggle, and that's so powerful.

Given this is in large part an "issues" book, there were times when I just got so annoyed at both Sadie and Luke for just being so stupid. I mean, I know I can't really judge because who knows what I'd be like in that situation, but there were times when I wanted to smack some sense into them. For instance, with Sadie, although I definitely connected with her struggle and could find pieces of my struggle within her, there were times when I just wanted to yell at her to see the bigger picture and to get over it. Yeah, that's far easier said than done. I know. But she's just so stubborn! I understand her pushing people away and not letting anyone in. Heck, I do that all the time. And yeah, I'm sure it's frustrating, but gahh! I wanted to pull out my hair sometimes! And Luke! He made me even more frustrated because Sadie is right, he leads her on and is cold to her and flirting with another girl the next minute. I get that he is dealing with his own issues, but how stupid can you honestly be?

But moving on, I greatly enjoyed the friendships brought up in the book. The relationship between Brielle and Sadie is an interesting one. They're roommates, and Brielle helps Sadie so much more than I think Sadie realizes. She's almost always there for her, and while it doesn't excuse her of the big twist/reveal at the end of the book, she has shown Sadie that she won't just go away either. But at the same time, I often got the feeling that they were really distant. There was so much more potential to expand on their friendship, but I feel like we honestly barely even got to know Brielle. It was the same with Adam. He helped her so much, and she does recognize that, but they never really seem to hang out otherwise (same with Brielle). They certainly don't have to be with each other all the time, and I know the book has other focuses, but I was under the impression that there would be a large focus on friendships, particularly given the circumstances in the book. This sort of leads me to another point, which is that there are many great characters in the book, but we barely get to know any of them. I think Sadie and Luke are complex and explored beyond my expectations (in a good way!), but what about everyone else? They felt a bit flat to me, as if they just moved the plot along at times.

Then, there's The Hit List itself, of course. I think the premise is so interesting and such a new idea. I haven't read a book like this before, and it sets up so many perfectly tense scenes. I definitely feel the same way Sadie does about the Hit List, but I can't deny it's ingenuity as part of the central plot. You don't know who to trust, and you keep questioning Luke's real motives and intentions. It bothered me that the biggest issue about the game wasn't really addressed--the fact that they're objectifying women and making them pieces in a game where they have so little control. Yeah, some girls like the attention, but I think it's horribly sexist and just gahh! I want to smack some sense into the girls that think it's flattering or fun! And the guys who play the game are even worse! It's so ridiculous, and I certainly hope nothing like this ever happens in real life. Give women some fricking respect, will you?! (And please note that this is in no way a reflection of the author. She obviously wouldn't support this.) But I really can't deny that it's a good way to focus the plot on something other than the character arcs.

And of course, I have to bring up the dancing! There were far fewer dance scenes in the book than I was expecting, given the setting and characters in the book. I don't think it necessarily detracted from the book, but I was certainly looking for a bit more. As students in a dance conservatory, I thought a lot more of the book would be spent exploring Sadie's relationship with dance. Not that there was any implication that that would be the case, but I digress. I believe it worked because of the strong plot and the emotion involved in the story, but yeah. Another minor, minor issue on this front is that I'm really confused as to whether the school is primarily classical or contemporary. I went in thinking it'd mostly be contemporary, but it was honestly hard to tell. It seemed as though the dances were contemporary, but her classes seemed to be classical. Of course I know they do have to have some classical, traditional ballet/pointe classes, but I know that my modern/contemporary class isn't like my ballet/pointe class, and it just seemed like they were always in their ballet/pointe class. Maybe I got the wrong impression, but yeah.

Lastly, as an overall look at the plot and the book, I have to say that as many flaws as I found in the book, I loved it so much. The pacing was overall really well done, and I was so sucked in. I couldn't stop reading, and there was something just so addicting about the story. I absolutely loved the progression of Sadie and Luke's relationship, especially juxtaposed against Sadie's reflections on her relationship with Patrick. I was rooting for Sadie and Luke all along, and ahhh, they just make my heart so happy. They both overcome SO much and become such different people but in a way that allows them to still be genuinely themselves. The suspense and tension are just right, and I think you definitely hate the characters you're supposed to. The character-driven plot made up for many of the flaws because it was just so well-written and explored. The character growth and development were just so superb. I could read this book over and over again, and I was so upset when I got to the last sentence. I just wanted more, more, more! ;) This is another dance-related book that I love!

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Book Depository 

About the Author:

Nikki fell in love with books at a young age and looked forward to reading a book with her mom before bed every night. It was only a matter of time until her love of reading turned into a love of putting those words onto the page. Now, her days are spent helping those overcoming opiate addiction and her nights are spent writing. She lives in Minnesota with her husband and two stubborn cats.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr | Goodreads | Pinterest

Giveaway:

Ends 11/15

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Tour: Review: Damsel Distressed by Kelsey Macke (ARC) (+giveaway)

So I know this is two days in a row posting about the same book and posting in general (I'm so sorry! Senior year and college apps have just made it so hard to get any sleep, much less blogging time.), but this book seriously deserves it all, as I've said before. 

Damsel Distressed by Kelsey Macke
Publisher: Spencer Hill Contemporary
Release Date: October 14th, 2014

Hot girls get the fairy tales. No one cares about the stepsisters' story. Those girls don't get a sweet little ending; they get a lifetime of longing.

Imogen Keegen has never had a happily ever after–in fact, she doesn't think they are possible. Ever since her mother’s death seven years ago, Imogen has pulled herself in and out of therapy, struggled with an “emotionally disturbed” special ed. label, and loathed her perma-plus-sized status.

When Imogen’s new stepsister, the evil and gorgeous Ella Cinder, moves in down the hall, Imogen begins losing grip on the pieces she’s been trying to hold together. The only things that gave her solace–the theatre, cheese fries, and her best friend, Grant–aren’t enough to save her from her pain this time.

While Imogen is enjoying her moment in the spotlight after the high school musical, the journal pages containing her darkest thoughts get put on display. Now, Imogen must resign herself to be crushed under the ever-increasing weight of her pain, or finally accept the starring role in her own life story.

And maybe even find herself a happily ever after.

"The book is just so well-crafted and paced, and it's written in such a hauntingly beautiful way. It's so balanced, and I can't get over how well it understands so much of what I've felt, thought, and been through."

Disclaimer: I received an eARC as part of this blog tour. This did not affect my review in any way, nor am I being compensated for this review.

Damsel Distressed left me speechless. The book is so beautifully sad, yet amazingly inspiring; it's really the only way I can describe how the book left me feeling. There are happy, joyful moments, but there are intense, heartbreaking scenes as well, and each works just as well as the next.

Part of what made Damsel Distressed the book that it is is Imogen herself. Her voice, her thoughts, her emotions, her actions--oh gosh, it was just so...right. I don't know if I've ever connected to a character as much as I connect to Imogen. We both have different issues, but I think that beyond the surface, our separate issues (some of which do overlap) cause us to think in similar ways. And while there are many ways in which Imogen is much more extreme than I have ever been, at the heart, I understood everything or almost everything Imogen felt. There are times you'll be frustrated by her. There are times you won't necessarily understand why she did or didn't do something. But trust me. I've been there. Yes, it's frustrating; yes, it's sad; yes, it's everything you might be thinking. But when you're in that situation, when you're the one that's stuck, you truly understand. And that's the power of Macke's story. She truly gets it. I don't care if you complain about Imogen being whiny or whatnot because trust me when I say that it's almost exactly how I felt. And there have been books and characters that have scratched the surface or have even made a tiny hole, but Damsel Distressed is just something else; it understood it all.

That being said, I feel as if I've been on both Grant and Imogen's side of the issue, and once you read the book I think you'll understand what I mean when I say side. I've been the person in the situation, in that deep, dark hole, but I've also been on the opposite end. I've been the friend that just doesn't know what to do or say. And it's so painful. On both ends. And I hope that if you've never experienced one or both before, you won't ever have to, but I'm so grateful there's a book out there now that addresses both sides. Because as painful as it is, sometimes, at least for me, just knowing that someone else out there understands means the world to me. This book understands me.

Moving on from the sad, dark parts, I'm so glad that there was enough time in the book for the conflict to develop, occur, and then be resolved. I love the pacing of the book, and I'm so glad the effects of the conflicts could really be addressed and explored because oftentimes, books don't leave enough space and time to really resolve a conflict in a reasonable amount of time. The number of times I've commented that a book's conflict was resolved too quickly was not an issue with Damsel Distressed.

And one of the most powerful parts of the novel is the friendship and various other developing relationships found in this novel. I'm jealous that Imogen has Grant by her side (as horrible as it is to say that I'm jealous of her) because I wish I had had that kind of friend when I was at my lowest point. Grant is such an amazing character, and I love every bit of him as a character. I really admire how he sticks by Imogen's side throughout everything in her life. What an amazing friend, and what an amazing friendship. Grant, and all of the other characters in the book, are so well-developed and explored. I loved seeing Imogen's relationships change as she changed and grew throughout the book. I loved seeing how everything had an impact on her thoughts and/or actions later on. I love Jonathan, and I really love Brice and his perspective. I especially love, love, love Antonique. I love how she looks like the type of girl that Imogen hates because she can't be--pretty, skinny, etc--but she's so much more, and she's not the girl Imogen originally took her to be. Just yes! And everyone's flawed in the book, but that's also the beauty of each person, and I LOVE that. Now, I do wish Jonathan's OCD had been explored more, but I understand why it wasn't. I would have liked to see what happened between Imogen and Andrew because I felt like the book was building up to something, and it didn't necessarily deliver. I wish Grant's financial background/difficulties and his own family life had been explored a bit more because we almost never got to read about his personal life at all, but I guess it's not the most important aspect (or perhaps it wasn't what was most important to Imogen). And I do believe there were times when Jonathan and Brice were overly stereotypically gay; I'm sure it was realistic most of the time, but there were scenes when it just felt over the top. I would have loved to learn more about Imogen's stepmother (whose name escapes me at this moment). But let me just say, these flaws were small in the grand scheme of the book. It's not perfect, but then again, nothing's perfect.

The book is just so well-crafted and paced, and it's written in such a hauntingly beautiful way. It's so balanced, and I can't get over how well it understands so much of what I've felt, thought, and been through. I highly, highly recommend this book. It addresses mental illness, self-harm, body image, divorce, friendship, jealousy, and SO much more without being overwhelming. Damsel Distressed is without a doubt one of my favorite books not only of 2014 but ever. The book deserves all the love it can get and then some. Please check this one out! And thank you, Kelsey, for writing this book.

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | Kobo

About the Author

Kelsey Macke has been creative for as long as she can remember. From an early age she was on stage singing, penning poetry, and writing notebooks full of songs. When the idea for her debut novel, DAMSEL DISTRESSED, popped into her head, she was undeterred by the fact that she had no idea how to actually write a novel. Her bff, the internet, was her guide, and after much trial, error, and candy, she finished it, and set out to get it published... a process far more difficult than, the internet (now her mortal enemy), had lead her to believe.

Her whirlwind adventure was made even more unbelievable when she signed with fabulous agent, Jessica Sinsheimer of the Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency and, shortly after, Danielle Ellison of Spencer Hill Contemporary bought her debut.

This innovative, mixed-media art project has given Kelsey an incredibly unique opportunity to join two of her passions: writing and making music with her husband as half of the folky, indie-pop band Wedding Day Rain.

DAMSEL DISTRESSED, and the companion album of original songs, Imogen Unlocked, are scheduled for release in October 2014.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Tumblr

~Giveaway~

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Blitz: Damsel Distressed by Kelsey Macke (+giveaway)

Hey everyone! I'm so excited to be presenting this book blitz, as well as being part of the blog tour. Damsel Distressed is one of my favorite books now, and it deserves all the love it can get. The book understands me and my experiences on so many levels and in a way that most other books haven't before. So please check out this book! More will be said in my review tomorrow. :)

Damsel Distressed by Kelsey Macke

Publisher: Spencer Hill Contemporary
Release Date: October 14th, 2014

Hot girls get the fairy tales. No one cares about the stepsisters' story. Those girls don't get a sweet little ending; they get a lifetime of longing.

Imogen Keegen has never had a happily ever after–in fact, she doesn't think they are possible. Ever since her mother’s death seven years ago, Imogen has pulled herself in and out of therapy, struggled with an “emotionally disturbed” special ed. label, and loathed her perma-plus-sized status.

When Imogen’s new stepsister, the evil and gorgeous Ella Cinder, moves in down the hall, Imogen begins losing grip on the pieces she’s been trying to hold together. The only things that gave her solace–the theatre, cheese fries, and her best friend, Grant–aren’t enough to save her from her pain this time.

While Imogen is enjoying her moment in the spotlight after the high school musical, the journal pages containing her darkest thoughts get put on display. Now, Imogen must resign herself to be crushed under the ever-increasing weight of her pain, or finally accept the starring role in her own life story.

And maybe even find herself a happily ever after.

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | Kobo

And you know what's even better?! There's an amazing album that goes hand-in-hand with the book. I haven't listened to it yet, but I know that the songs correlate with what's going in the story. What's even better is that the songs are all by Wedding Day Rain, author Kelsey Macke and her husband's band. Be sure to check out the album when you read the book. :)

1. Heavy

2. No Goodbye

3. Something About

4. Sinking

5. Don't Wake Me Up

6. Let Me Go

7. My Strength

8. Unseen

9. Always Speak Too Late

10. The End is Just the Beginning

11. Breathe Easy

12. Edge of the Fall

More about the album:

Damsel Distressed is the story of Imogen, a girl who's survived the years after her mother's death by focusing squarely on her best friend, Grant,
musical theatre, and lots of cheese. The book is full of humor and heart, and also contains a few surprises. Full page sketches are scattered throughout the novel, and each one contains a QR code that corresponds to a song from the book's soundtrack. Imogen Unlocked is a 12-song album of original music written by the author and her husband Daron as their indie-pop band, Wedding Day Rain. Together, the book Damsel Distressed and the soundtrack Imogen Unlocked work together to tell the story of a girl who might just make her own Happily Ever After, if she can just hold herself together.

About the Author:

Kelsey Macke has been creative for as long as she can remember. From an early age she was on stage singing, penning poetry, and writing notebooks full of songs. When the idea for her debut novel, DAMSEL DISTRESSED, popped into her head, she was undeterred by the fact that she had no idea how to actually write a novel. Her bff, the internet, was her guide, and after much trial, error, and candy, she finished it, and set out to get it published... a process far more difficult than, the internet (now her mortal enemy), had lead her to believe.

Her whirlwind adventure was made even more unbelievable when she signed with fabulous agent, Jessica Sinsheimer of the Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency and, shortly after, Danielle Ellison of Spencer Hill Contemporary bought her debut.

This innovative, mixed-media art project has given Kelsey an incredibly unique opportunity to join two of her passions: writing and making music with her husband as half of the folky, indie-pop band Wedding Day Rain.

DAMSEL DISTRESSED, and the companion album of original songs, Imogen Unlocked, are scheduled for release in October 2014.

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~Giveaway~

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Tour: Review: Sulan by Camille Picott (ARC) (+Giveaway)

I'm super excited to be a part of this tour! The concept/blurb of this book drew me in in a snap, and I'm excited to share it with you today. I must warn you that's it's been a while since I've read it, but I still feel the same way now as I did at the time when I read the book. Enjoy!

Blog Tour Page & Schedule

Episode One: The League ~ Sulan by Camille Picott

Publisher: Pixiu Press

Release Date: June 2012

Sixteen-year-old Sulan Hom can’t remember life before the Default—the day the United States government declared bankruptcy. As a math prodigy, she leads a protected life, kept safe from the hunger and crime plaguing the streets of America. She attends the corporate-sponsored Virtual High School, an academy in Vex (Virtual Experience) for gifted children.

Beyond the security of Sulan’s high-tech world, the Anti-American League wages a guerrilla war against the United States. Their leader, Imugi, is dedicated to undermining the nation’s reconstruction attempts. He attacks anything considered a national resource, including corporations, food storage facilities—and schools. When Sulan witnesses the public execution of a teenage student and the bombing of a college dorm, she panics. Her mother, a retired mercenary, refuses to teach her how to defend herself. Sulan takes matters into her own hands. With the help of her hacker best friend, Hank, Sulan acquires Touch—an illegal Vex technology that allows her to share the physical experience of her avatar. With Touch, Sulan defies her mother and trains herself to fight. When Imugi unleashes a new attack on the United States, Sulan finds herself caught in his net. Will her Vex training be enough to help her survive and escape?

"I enjoyed the book, but there's a lot that keep me from loving the book the way I had anticipated."

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book for this tour. This did not affect my review in any way, nor am I being compensated for it.  

As I mentioned above, what really got me interested in this book was the blurb. The first thing I noticed when I read it was that the main character is Asian (or at least has an Asian name). I then found out that the author, Camille Picott, is actually a Chinese American. Yay for diversity! It really did make me very happy to see that in this book. However, I was almost a little disappointed that of course, she was the math/science prodigy. I get it in the context, and of course, there are reasons why that stereotype exists but gahh! There's more to people and society than math and science, people! As a social studies/English lover, it makes me so sad that even in this dystopian society, those subjects aren't even close to being valued.

There's a really interesting cast of characters in the book, and I really enjoyed reading about them and seeing their interactions with one another. I like Sulan's fierceness and her determination. She kicks ass! I loved Billy and Hank, both separately, together, and with their interactions with Sulan. It's fun and yet realistic. Hank's anxiety over school is especially well done, as is her relationship with Billy. And while I'm okay with Gun as a character, I am not a fan of how quickly Sulan began to rely on him. Additionally, I was pulled in so many directions regarding Gun, and I guess that's the point but because the beginning of their relationship felt weak, I feel like the reader is meant to trust Gun, and I really don't/didn't. But one of my favorite interactions/relationships (besides Hank and Sulan's) is Sulan and her mother. I just love the way they interact. It's not smooth, and they clash a lot, but you can really see both of their sides of the safety and training debate. I think it represents a mother-daughter relationship fairly accurately, considering Sulan's age and the world in which they live. My last point about characters is that I feel as if they all should have been more fallible. It often felt as if they were invincible or something, and I'm just like no!

The book is fast-paced and engaging. It was a quick read for me, though I felt a bit shaky about the world-building. There's just something that continued to feel off for me, and there was a lot I was confused about for a good portion of the book. The technology is much more advanced, but they're not always explained fully. The book's not perfect, but it's not bad either. There were a few "twists" that were extremely predictable and took away from any of the suspense (namely the reveal about who Midnight is, as well as the frog business near the end of the book). Overall, I enjoyed the book, but there's a lot that keep me from loving the book the way I had anticipated.

Goodreads | Amazon | Audible | The Book Depository | Kobo

About the Author: 

Camille Picott is a fifth-generation Chinese American. She writes science fiction and fantasy books with Asian characters and/or Asian settings. Camille grew up reading speculative fiction stories largely devoid of Asian characters and culture. This, coupled with a passion for her heritage, is the reason she strives to bring some aspect of Eastern myth, legend, culture, and ethnicity to all of her writings. 

Website | Facebook | Goodreads

Giveaway:

Two $5 Amazon Gift Cards (INT)

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Review: First World Problems by Leigh Ann Kopans (ARC) (+giveaway)

First World Problems by Leigh Ann Kopans
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: September 1st, 2014

Sofia's had a really rough year - busted for cheating at prep school, dumped - dumped! - for the first time ever, and her new non-profit working stepmother is turning out to be an uppity bitch.

She deserves to treat herself. But when she throws herself a birthday party with 20 of her closest friends in Paris and (accidentally!) maxes out her dad's credit card in the process, he’s had enough of her attitude. As punishment, he switches her planned gap year touring Europe to one doing community service work with the evil stepmother’s relief organization in Guyana.

The rural village of Dabu needs help in every area from education to getting safe drinking water. But Sofia’s more concerned about her roommate Callum, the gardening expert, who calls Sofia "Princess" and scoffs at her distaste for sweaty, muddy, iguana-eating, outhouse-using life in Guyana.

Eventually, life on the equator, her work in the village, and especially Callum - with his brooding eyes and bewitching New Zealand accent - start to grow on Sofia. Life is rough in Guyana, but it’s roughest on the girls, whose families are too poor to send only the most promising boys in school. They’re trapped in a cycle that will keep them from ever making a better life for themselves, or for the village. Worse, Callum doesn’t seem to think any of the changes Sofia envisions are actually necessary.

Determined to change the girls’ futures, she comes up with a strategy to help them and, ultimately, the village. But what starts out as a plan to convince Callum and her father that she’s fallen in love with Guyana, turns into the realization that maybe she’s falling for Callum, too. And that by changing these girls’ lives, she might also be changing her own.

"[First World Problems] reminded me of many of my own experiences, and I treasure this book for it. The romance is perfect, but it's also secondary to Sofia's character growth and development, and I find that fact really valuable."

Disclaimer: I received an eARC from the author. This did not affect my thoughts in any way, nor am I being compensated for this review.

GUYYYSSSSS. You have NO idea how excited I was to finally be able to read this lovely book! I've been eagerly awaiting this book since I finished Solving for Ex, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I even wrote a song inspired by the book! Anyway, I'm happy to say First World Problems lived up to my expectations.

Of course, I must start out by talking about Sofia. In Solving for Ex, you're meant to dislike her. For the most part, I'd say you do. But First World Problems really changes the way you view her. Of course, you start off still not liking her. She's spoiled and bratty and everything you remember from SfE. But as the story progresses, you really start to see her change. Some of it is very subtle and/or slowly developed, and some of it occurs very obviously. They both work well for the different aspects of Sofia's character. Her character arc reminds me a lot of Lainey's character arc in The Art of Lainey by Paula Stokes. That being said, of course, there were many moments when Sofia really annoyed me for one reason or another, even towards the middle/end. She's determined, but part of that also means she's incredibly stubborn. There were times when I wanted to shake her and just gahhh! Frustrating! But maybe that's the intended response; I'm not quite sure. The thing is, she really did change.

You can really see her change when she is finally able to get back home. Wow, what a difference that made. It's then that you especially see how much she's gone through and how different she is now. Yet she remains determined through everything she does, which pays off in the end. I just can't put into words you how well-done this part of the story is. It makes you start to view our world and our lifestyles in a different light. I can't even explain how impactful it is. It highlights Sofia's change in so many ways, and it's one of my favorite aspects of the story.

However, there was one aspect of her character change that I found to be really sudden. It was really the transition from her doing all the great stuff to please Callum and get a good report so she could go back home to suddenly realizing she really loves it and actually does like Callum, not just for show. The thing is, there was a part where I personally thought she had made that transition through Kopans' showing not telling. Then, it seemed like a few pages later, I was told that she was still just manipulating Callum. Then, a bit later in the book, she suddenly goes no, I actually do like this, and I'm not pretending anymore. Uhh...

Speaking of Callum, I love him, and I love how he's written as a character. Oftentimes, swoony guys are written to come off as nearly perfect. But Callum is different. He is completely flawed, and we know it. But just like Sofia, we come to see the other side of Callum. I love Callum because of good parts, but I also love Callum because he is flawed and imperfect and moody and everything, yet he's genuine, and he cares so much. And it's so real because every person you love in this world is like Sofia and Callum and all the characters in this book too: flawed, yet loved. And I can't tell you how powerful that message is. While it certainly exists in most books, for some reason, it really stuck out to me in this book. Maybe it's because of how stripped down the book is. When you take away all these prized possessions and are left with the bare basics, if that, you really view everything differently. You get to see who a person is when they have nothing to hide behind.

And Callum's relationship with Sofia is beautiful in the way it evolves throughout the story. It's so far from perfect, but I liked how it was slow-burning in the best way possible. They start off at great odds and for good reason. But their evolving relationship also serves to highlight the character development both of them go through. It's obvious they'll end up together, and it'll be happily ever after for them in the end, but it progresses at just the right pace, changing at the right moments as they correlate with the character's arc up to that point. (Also, can we talk about how interesting it is to learn about Sofia's thoughts on her past relationships?!)

I also really enjoyed the other characters in the story: Lena, Arielle, Anne, Riya, etc. Vincent serves as a nice reminder of who Sofia used to be, but it's also really nice to get a small glimpse into their side of the Solving for Ex story. It's a great way to tie the two together, though they're very different stories. In a similar way that Callum and Sofia's changing relationship shows how they're both changing, her relationship with Anne, her stepmother, also highlights Sofia's change throughout the book. 

Arielle and Lena are interesting characters to say the least. It was interesting to see their interactions with both one another and with Sofia on a separate basis. Particularly at the beginning, it really went to highlight how foreign the situation and environment is to Sofia. So I don't really agree with how they react to some of her actions, but overall, I liked what they added to the story. The plot arc and interactions between Arielle and Lena were interesting, but I'm not sure why it didn't occur before. I mean, I get it, but it felt like they'd been in Guyana for a while, so I'm not quite sure what exactly brought about what happened between the two of them. Just something to think about...

And of course I have to mention Riya and the other girls, especially in terms of how they influence the story. It's really through this storyline that we see Sofia's transformation. She's completely dedicated to her/their project, and I think it's really great that Sofia's really trying to help them. I do have some qualms about it, but that's my interested-in-international-development part showing. I don't know...I do think what she's trying to do is great and beyond amazing, but at the same time, I wonder how it works into their culture and society. The Guyanese people don't seem to particularly want to be influenced by Western society and culture, and I'd be interested to see how the project will affect them in the future. Because yes, it's amazing for the girls. It's empowering and educational and it allows them to use their skills to help themselves and their families, but there's always more to an issue than that. (As you can tell, I'm really interested in this kind of stuff. Hence why I want to study International Relations/International Development.)

Which somehow brings me to one of my last points. This book has a special place in my heart because it reminds me of one of my own experiences. Three summers ago (summer 2012), I visited Brazil so I could see my family. But I also went to volunteer. It turns out, just a few minutes/blocks away from one of my uncles' apartments is one section of one the biggest favelas in Sao Paulo, Brazil. And so, I spent one of the two months I was in Brazil teaching English to kids and teens in a church-run center. I can't tell you how much that experience changed the way I view the world. Have I given up my unnecessary possessions? No. But it really did change how I view myself in the world. It's an experience I will never forget. The teens I taught showed me so much love, and they really showed me that some things span across language barriers because in the end, at the heart of everything, we're all human, and we always find ways to communicate. It was beautiful, and it was also so heartbreaking to see the conditions under which they were living. A handful of the students have such potential, and it still breaks my heart to know that the world will likely never see that potential because they're poor and don't have the means. Unlike Sofia, I didn't have to live in the conditions they were living in, but even knowing it was like a bullet in my heart. I wasn't able to help them as much as Sofia was able to help Riya and the villagers in Guyana, but I hope I inspired someone to continue their education. I hope I inspired someone to learn. I hope I inspired someone to continue to study English. I admire Sofia's courage and determination to set up the project for the girls in Guyana because I wish I could've done something to help the people I met in that favela more than teaching them the bare bones of English in one month. And so I greatly connected to Sofia's story and her experiences.

(On a separate note: A few months after I got back home and got back to school, I learned that a large portion of the favela had been burned down. I also learned that the government was planning to get rid of the homes the residents had made, kicking out all the residents and leaving them to figure out what to do. Part of that included knocking down the center I had volunteered at. The government is planning to build a new Metro stop there for the Olympics (and at that time, supposedly the World Cup). The last I heard, most of the homes were knocked down, but the center hasn't been knocked down yet. More recently, I learned that one of the girls I taught gave birth to a baby boy. She's younger than I am. I can't necessarily say I'm surprised, but it's one of the issues facing residents in favelas. I do wish her happiness, but I can only imagine how different her life would be if she had been born into a different life.)

My only other qualm that I want to address really quickly is there are a couple of inconsistencies in the book, if I recall correctly. None of it is major, which is why I'm making this short and to the point. The one that stuck out to me the most was how Sofia started off being afraid of heights (when faced with the hammock). Then, later in the story, she claimed to love, or at the very least not be afraid of, heights. But again, it's just something small.

I really enjoyed this book, and I really hope a bunch of people will check out the book and love it too. It reminded me of many of my own experiences, and I treasure this book for it. The romance is perfect, but it's also secondary to Sofia's character growth and development, and I find that fact really valuable. Her growth is what really makes this book shine. It's thought-provoking, at least for me, and I hope to book push this when possible. Please check it out, especially if you read and enjoyed Solving for Ex but also if you haven't or didn't. This is a very different story in the best way possible.

First World Problems: Goodreads | Amazon | Website

Leigh Ann Kopans: Goodreads | Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

PS. Be on the lookout for a song inspired by the book soon (hopefully)!

GIVEAWAY:

Comment below with why you want to read the book and/or what you liked about the book. Be sure to leave your email, so I can contact you if you win. (I'd greatly appreciate a follow, but it's not necessary to be entered to win.) One person will win an ecopy of First World Problems! Thanks for stopping by, and good luck. :)
Ends Oct 1st.

Inspired: Stronger and Closer; Anymore (More Than a Misfit): Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard (+giveaway)

Inspired: A Summer of Songs showcases song lyrics written by myself and other bloggers. The lyrics and themes were inspired by books. The author of the books have provided their thoughts on the lyrics and how it fits their books; in the case that an author could not participate, a fellow blogger took up the responsibility. I highly encourage you to comment either on the lyrics, on the books, on the event in general, or on anything of a similar note.

So I'm really excited about today's songs because there are two of them, both inspired by Susan Dennard's Something Strange and Deadly series. I absolutely love Sooz, who is awesome and super supportive and just all around great. Thankfully, her books are just about as awesome. The series has inspired me for a long time, and when I finally just sat down to write, the words came out (almost) easily. Needless to say, I'm excited to share these two songs with you, and I was ecstatic over Susan's kind words. Lastly, Susan was kind enough to donate a hardcover copy of Strange and Ever After, so be sure to enter the giveaway!

The Song:

Stronger and Closer

First look of anger,

First look of kindness,

First look of despair,

First look of loss,

Scared of all the darkness around,

Scared of all the darkness within.

Feel the energy,

Feel the fear,

Taste the darkness,

Hear the tears.

But you make me stronger,

Tell me that I can make it through.

You help me see clearer,

So I can see the truth.

Bring me closer,

Closer to you.

Bring me closer,

Closer to the truth.

First look of softness,

First look of light,

First look of past times,

First look of longing,

Scared of all the darkness around,

Scared of all the darkness within.

Feel the energy,

Feel the fear,

Taste the darkness,

Hear the tears.

But you make me stronger,

Though I try to be brave too.

You help me see past the lies,

So I can see the truth.

Bring me closer,

Closer to you.

Bring me closer,

Closer to the truth.

The first night,

The last dawn,

The echoes of our heart.

The first look,

The last kiss,

The flutter of my breath.

You make me stronger,

Though I can stand on my own.

You help me see past my tears and fears,

So I can see the truth.

Bring me closer,

Closer to you.

Bring me closer,

Closer to the truth.

You make me strong.

Bring me closer to you.

You help me through this,

So help me to see you clearly too.

The Reaction:

This. Is. Incredible. Oh my goodness, when I read it I got chills from all the emotion! I can FEEL what the singer feels. And what I really love is that it could fit any of the characters. Eleanor, Daniel, Oliver—they all go through something like this (minus the kiss for Oliver ;))—which I think says a lot for how well this song fits the emotional starting point for the series arc.

Eleanor especially is in a dark, frightened, reaching place, and I think this song conveys that perfectly. Interestingly, even though Eleanor grows and takes her life into her own hands, even by the end of the book, that scared, lonely, darkness is still inside her—so the song still applies, even up to the last page.

Gosh, I wish this song were real because I would totally add it to my Strange & Ever After playlist. I can see it sung in the style of “I Remain” (by Alanis Morissette sort of way).

The Song:

Anymore (More than a Misfit)

Running,

Falling,

Don’t know what I’m doing anymore.

The world’s turned without me,

And I don’t know where I am anymore.

I hear the ring of the sirens

Piercing through my brain.

They’re shouting, I’m running,

Faster than I’ve ever been.

All the new people entering my life,

But the one I’ve thought mattered most,

He’s not coming back anymore.

Brother,

Mother,

I can’t get them back anymore.

The friends that surround me,

They help me when I fall.

I hear the ring of the sirens

Piercing through my brain.

They’re shouting, I’m running,

Faster than I’ve ever been.

All the new people entering my life,

But the one I’ve thought mattered most,

He’s not coming back anymore.

I’m broken

In pieces,

But still I try to go on

Faster and stronger than I’ve ever been.

I’m holding on,

Trying to be

Something more than a misfit.

I hear the ring of the sirens

Piercing through my brain.

They’re shouting, I’m running,

Faster than I’ve ever been.

All the new people entering my life,

But the one I’ve thought mattered most,

He’s not coming back anymore.

Running,

Falling,

Don’t know what I’m doing anymore.

The world’s turned without me,

And I don’t know where I am anymore.
Don’t know where I am anymore.

The Reaction:

Okay, I didn’t think it was possible, but I love this one even more than the other. Oh my gosh, I read it and I could just see and feel Eleanor’s urgency when she’s facing off to the Dead.

The whole “The world’s turned without me, And I don’t know where I am anymore” could basically summarize all of her character tension in the series. She knows what needs to be done, but she doesn’t know how to do it. 

And oh wow—this whole chorus: “I hear the ring of the sirens, Piercing through my brain. They’re shouting, I’m running, Faster than I’ve ever been” reflects every high energy scene. She’s running, she’s fighting, and she’s just grappling and grabbing for whatever she can do to get out of this next encounter alive. 

This song so perfectly reflects Eleanor’s inner (and outer) struggles for most of the books—certainly books 1 and 2, and even a large chunk of 3. Eleanor grows stronger, but her strength only brings in new problems—new people to lose, new disruptions and heartache. 

I really, really want to hear this song done in the style of “Bones” by MsMr (which is, like, my Eleanor theme song!) because I think the urgency of the lyrics would fit so well with that epic, dark beat and style.

The Books:

Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard

Publisher: HarperTeen

Release Date: July 24th, 2012

The year is 1876, and there’s something strange and deadly loose in Philadelphia…

Eleanor Fitt has a lot to worry about. Her brother has gone missing, her family has fallen on hard times, and her mother is determined to marry her off to any rich young man who walks by. But this is nothing compared to what she’s just read in the newspaper—

The Dead are rising in Philadelphia.

And then, in a frightening attack, a zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor…from her brother.

Whoever is controlling the Dead army has taken her brother as well. If Eleanor is going to find him, she’ll have to venture into the lab of the notorious Spirit-Hunters, who protect the city from supernatural forces. But as Eleanor spends more time with the Spirit-Hunters, including their maddeningly stubborn yet handsome inventor, Daniel, the situation becomes dire. And now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her very life may hang in the balance.

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository

A Darkness Strange and Lovely by Susan Dennard

Publisher: HarperTeen

Release Date: July 23rd, 2013

Darkness has come to the City of Light...

With her brother dead and her mother on the verge of insanity, Eleanor Fitt is utterly alone. Even the Spirit-Hunters—Joseph, Jie, and the handsome Daniel—have fled to Paris. So when Eleanor begins to hear the vicious barking of hounds and see images of haunting yellow eyes, she fears the worst—that the Dead, and the necromancer Marcus, are coming for her.

To escape and search out the Spirit-Hunters, Eleanor boards a steamer bound for France. There she meets Oliver, a young man who claims to have known her brother. Though friendly, Oliver entices Eleanor with necromancy and black magic, yet as long as she can resist his powerful temptation, she'll be fine. But when she arrives in Paris, she finds that the Dead have taken over the city...and there's a whole new evil lurking. With the body count rising, Eleanor is forced to make a deadly decision that will go against everything the Spirit-Hunters stand for.

In Paris, there's a price for this darkness strange and lovely...and it may have Eleanor paying with her life.

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository

Strange and Ever After by Susan Dennard

Publisher: HarperTeen

Release Date: July 22nd, 2014

In the conclusion to the trilogy that Publishers Weekly called “a roaring—and addictive—gothic world,” Eleanor Fitt must control her growing power, face her feelings for Daniel, and confront the evil necromancer Marcus...all before it’s too late.

He took her brother, he took her mother, and now, Marcus has taken her good friend Jie. With more determination than ever to bring this sinister man to justice, Eleanor heads to the hot desert streets of nineteenth-century Egypt in hopes of ending this nightmare. But in addition to her increasingly tense relationships with Daniel, Joseph, and her demon, Oliver, Eleanor must also deal with her former friend, Allison, who has curiously entangled herself in Eleanor’s mission.

With the rising dead chomping at her every move and Jie’s life hanging in the balance, Eleanor is convinced that her black magic will see her through to the bitter end. But there will be a price. Though she and the Spirit Hunters have weathered every battle thus far, there will be consequences to suffer this time—the effects of which will be irreversible. And when it’s over, only some will be able to live a strange and ever after.

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository

Susan Dennard, The Author:

Websit | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

Giveaway:

~Must be 13 or older or have parent permission

~US only

~Winner must respond in 72 hours or a new winner will be chosen

~No cheating will be tolerated

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