Category: Blog Tour (Page 6 of 19)

BLOG TOUR + REVIEW: The Witchlands Box Set (The Witchlands #1-3) by Susan Dennard

BLOG TOUR + REVIEW: The Witchlands Box Set (The Witchlands #1-3) by Susan Dennard

I am SO excited to be part of the blog tour promoting the new covers for The Witchlands Box Set. These books are so amazing and fast paced that it makes sense that the covers reflect the exact essence of what is inside each book.

BLOG TOUR + REVIEW: The Witchlands Box Set (The Witchlands #1-3) by Susan DennardThe Witchlands Box Set by Susan Dennard
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

For the first time, experience the first three volumes of Susan Dennard's New York Times bestselling Witchlands series--Truthwitch, Windwitch, and Bloodwitch--now together in the Witchlands Hard Cover Boxed Set.
Magic. Adventure. Romance. War. ... Welcome to the Witchlands.

On a continent ruled by three empires, many people are born with a “witchery”, a magical skill that sets them apart from others. Some command the wind, some the water, some fire, some metal. And some can master the truth, or time, or even death itself.
Now, as war breaks loose and magic is dying, two young women--a Truthwitch and a Threadwitch--may hold the key to a centuries old prophecy that could control the world...if they can survive.

Review of Truthwitch (The Witchlands #1):

It wasn’t freedom she wanted. It was belief in something—a prize big enough to run for and to fight for and to keep on reaching toward no matter what.

AaaaaahhhHHHHH. <–this is a telltale sign that I loved a book if you haven’t noticed. I don’t even want to know how many reviews I’ve started like that ahahaha. Anyway, what the hell? Why didn’t I read this book YEARS ago?! I am obsessed right now. I went on a Tumblr stalking spree last night and kind of regret it, just like I always do because I’ve already spoiled a few things for myself. I can’t help it. It’s really a problem. So yeah, I am FIRMLY in the camp of people that LOVE this book and while it saddens me to know that a lot of people just felt “meh” about it, I think I get why.

“I’ll be fine, Safi. You forget that I taught you the art of evisceration.”
Safi scoffed, but her Threads flared with with amused pink. “Is that so, dear Threadsister? Have you already forgotten that it was me they called The Great Eviscerator back in Veñaza City?” Safi flung a dramatic hand high as she twirled toward Ryber.
Now Iseult didn’t have to fake a grin. “Is that what you thought they said?” she called. “It was actually The Great Vociferator, Safi, because that mouth of yours is so big.”


It’s no secret that this series is super heavy on complex world building and even has a complex magic structure. In YA, when a lot of the books are read for quick pleasure, that can obviously throw people off guard. For me, though, I grew up reading high fantasy and happen to love those complex worlds. I mean, I don’t know how you can love LOTR if you don’t love this series. Tokien even created an ENTIRELY new language based on the world of LOTR. If that isn’t intense and complex, I don’t know what is. Normally as long as there is a map that I can use to visualize the different places, I’m good to go. Did it take me a few chapters to get to know the characters and their powers and try to figure out which country they kept mentioning? Yes. Did that bother me or take away from the story? No. I was much too entranced by the storyline and the characters and in the back of my mind I knew that eventually my questions would be answered.

Speaking of characters, I also really need to talk about how much I love both Safi and Iseult..and Merrik, and Ryber, and Aeduan, and literally everyone else. But ESP my gals. Safi was freakin hilarious. Not only was she a BA fighter, she cares about the people she loves so deeply AND she has hilarious sayings, usually reserved for when she’s in trouble (I might have to steal goat tits for myself, lol). Iseult is obviously also a BA fighter too and had some pretty great dry humor. The main thing I loved about them was how they loved each other. This is best friend GOALS. They would literally die for one another and I just loved the concept of them being Treadsisters because I have always thought that family doesn’t just have to be those who are blood related to you but those you choose to have as your family.

And the ships! Oh the ships! I mean I guess I should technically only say ship for now but you better believe I know what’s coming for Iseult and a certain someone. SAFI AND MERRIK FOR LIFE. Like wtf wow. I don’t know if you’d exactly say there is a hate-to-love kind of a situation but..kind of? Basically they had no trouble butting heads throughout the entire book and still Safi came through for him in the end, BIG TIME. Oh my heart. And then when Iseult was witnessing their threads interact. I loved every second.

The ending was so intriguing and intense and I am SO GLAD I had the foresight to snatch up the entire rest of the series while they were all miraculously checked in at my library. I will be starting Windwitch ASAP.

“Yes,” Safi breathed, swaying into one of the men holding her up. She flashed a grin at him and said, “I’m Safiya fon Hasstrel, and I can do anything.”

✩✮✩✮✩✩✮✩✮✩

New Covers: –[[AHH LOOK AT THEIR BEAUTY]]

Box Set

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About the Author:

Susan DennardSusan Dennard has come a long way from small-town Georgia. Working in marine biology, she got to travel the world—six out of seven continents, to  be exact (she’ll get to you yet, Asia!)—before she settled down as a full-time novelist and writing instructor.

She is the author of the Something Strange and Deadly series, as well as the New York Times bestselling Witchlands series, and she also hosts the popular newsletter for writers, the Misfits & Daydreamers. When not writing, she is slaying darkspawn (on her PS4) or earning bruises at the dojo.

She lives in the Midwestern US with her French husband, two spoiled dogs, and two grouchy cats. Learn more about her on her twitterinstagram, or newsletter.

About the Cover Artist:

Cliff Nielsen is best known for his work on projects such as Star Wars, The X-Files, Chronicles of Narnia among many projects including advertising campaigns, designs, and magazines. He studied in both traditional and digital illustration and graduated as valedictorian from Art Center College of Design in CA. His illustrations have been recognized for their excellence by the Society of Illustrators, Print, and Spectrum among others. Feature articles focusing on his work appear in design publications and fanzine magazines alike. Cliff has been an international speaker on digital art and has served as a judge for the Society of Illustrators and a variety of professional illustration award programs. He lives and dreams in Los Angeles, California.

About the Map Artist:

Jessica Khoury wrote her first book at age 4, a fan fic sequel to Syd Hoff’s Danny and the Dinosaur, which she scribbled on notebook paper, stapled together, and placed on the bookshelf of her preschool classroom. Since that day, she’s dreamed of being an author.

In addition to writing, Jess is also a fantasy cartographer, and spends far too much time scribbling tiny trees and mountains in fictional worlds. She is very passionate about orcas, Spanish soccer, and choosing the perfect font.

Jess currently lives in Greenville, South Carolina. She is the author of Origin, Vitro, Kalahari, and The Forbidden Wish.

Witchlands Covers

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Extra Preorder Links:

Publisher Page

ChaptersIndigo

Barnes and Noble

BOOK REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Helix (International Sensory Assassin Network #2) by Mary Ting

BOOK REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Helix (International Sensory Assassin Network #2) by Mary Ting

I. LOVED. THIS. BOOK! I'm so grateful I got to be on this tour and I devoured this book oh so fast! So please check out my 5 Star Review below and enter in a fabuous giveaway. Enjoy!

BOOK REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Helix (International Sensory Assassin Network #2) by Mary TingHelix (International Sensory Assassin Network #2)
by Mary Ting
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

ALLIANCES ARE FORMING. THE RESISTANCE IS GROWING.
EVERYTHING IS ABOUT TO CHANGE.

With her memory still fragmented, Ava returns to the International Sensory Assassin Network (ISAN) to find the twin sister she never knew she had.

But as Ava hunts for information, she finds herself tangled in a web of yet more lies and conspiracy. The Helix serum may not be required to access her superpowers, and the number of male assassins-previously considered too volatile to tolerate Helix-is growing in every territory.

The more Ava uncovers, the more of a threat she becomes to ISAN. Her only salvation may be to join the rebels-if she isn't killed first.

Review:

Helix was an action packed ride that had me on the edge of my seat.  The story was rich and intricate, the characters had my emotions pulled every which way and I loved how the stakes were even higher!  This book was just as addicting as the first, and I loved being back in this world.  If you love dystopian and books that play out like a movie, then you have to pick up this series!

I wasn’t just a daughter whose father had experimented on her. I was the very thing ISAN should fear.

 

✮ A Different Take:

There was nothing I wouldn’t do for her, even give up my own life. She was my world. No matter how long it took to get her memory back, I would be patient. But we were running out of time.

This story started out with Rhett’s point of view!  And we switched back and forth between Ava and Rhett throughout the story.  I was dying to get into Rhett’s head, in ISAN, and now we got to hear every single thought of his.  It added so much emotion and allowed us to learn about Rhett inside and out.  I absolutely loved how much depth it added to the story!

 

✮ Love is Powerful:

I love you with every breath, with every fiber of my being. My favorite place in the world is next to you. – Rhett to Ava

This story held the most beautiful love story.  With little pieces of the past coming back to Ava, it filled my heart with so many emotions.  There were moments that made me smile, made me have tears in my eyes and others that gutted me.  We got to see every single side of Ava and Rhett, and it made me love them that much more.  What they would do for each other?  It. Was. Breathtaking.  If you like to read about a power couple with an ever lasting love story, Ava and Rhett are it!

 

✮ Friends are your Family:

I ran to a hole in the floor and caught a glimpse below. Gunshots echoed and red Taser beams flashed across the darkness. I had no choice. My team needed me.
I jumped in just as the floor sealed.

The side characters in this series had so much life and shined so brightly!  We got to spend time and learn even more about Brooke, Tamara, Ozzie, and Reyna.  And while yes they were two groups of friends, they felt more like family to me.  They had each other’s backs.  They trusted each other.  They would even sacrifice it all for one another. 

 

✮ Action and Twists:

“You’re a traitor. You’re a monster. You made me do what I had to do. I had to … You made me forget Rhett . Forget Ozzie. Forget Reyna . This is all your fault. My father. My sister. My mother …” My lips quivered as the words died on my tongue, and I couldn’t hold it any longer. I choked on my words and sobbed.

The action and peril was intense, and I loved how this story continued to build and grow from the first book.  It became even more intricate and I soaked in every single tiny detail I could.  Especially since we were starting to get pieces to the bigger puzzle.  We still have a lot to learn, but what we did learn in this book?  It was exciting!  But there was one twist I never saw coming.  My mind was blown!  And it made me want to go back and skim certain parts of the first book and parts of the second book too.  So I did.  And ohhhhhhhh it was such a tricky and genius twist, I loved it!

Breathless. Speechless. His words filled me. A warm tingle traveled through my veins. His featherlight fingers journeyed up my arm to the curve of my neck, and then his thumb glided over my mouth.

Helix ended at the perfect spot.  I loved that we could finally have a moment to breathe, but at the same point I’m dying to know what happens next.  Especially since I’m not exactly sure how everything is going to play out.  So if you love action packed stories, intricate characters and a story line that’ll keep you glued to the pages, definitely add this series to your tbr!

 

PS There was a line in Chapter 4 of ISAN that made me think I knew something about Ava’s past and I can’t wait to see if I guessed correctly or not in the next book.  Because I know we’ll get our answer in there, eeks, I can’t wait to find out!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by Xpresso Book Tours. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Reading Order:
Amazon (click on covers) & iBooks (click on titles)


ISAN (International Sensory Assassin Network #1)
Review:
Jen

HELIX (International Sensory Assassin Network #2)
Review:
Jen

GENES (International Sensory Assassin Network #3)
Review:
Jen

CODE (International Sensory Assassin Network #3)
Review:
Jen

AVA (International Sensory Assassin Network #4)
Review:
Jen
 
About Mary Ting:

International Bestselling, Award-Winning Author Mary Ting writes soulful, spellbinding stories that excite the imagination and captivate readers all over the world. Her books run a wide range of genres and her storytelling talents have won her a devoted legion of fans and garnered critical praise.

Becoming an author happened by chance. It was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother, and inspired by a dream she had in high school. After realizing she wanted to become a full-time author, Mary retired from teaching after twenty years. She also had the privilege of touring with the Magic Johnson Foundation to promote literacy and her children’s chapter book: No Bullies Allowed.

Mary resides in Southern California with her husband, two children, and two little dogs, Mochi and Mocha. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Bookbub

 

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Prom-Wrecked by T.H. Hernandez & Jennifer DiGiovanni

REVIEW & GIVEAWAY:  Prom-Wrecked by T.H. Hernandez & Jennifer DiGiovanni

I’m so happy to be on this tour because I LOVED every single thing about this book! So check out my 5 Star Review below and enter a fabulous giveaway! Enjoy!

REVIEW & GIVEAWAY:  Prom-Wrecked by T.H. Hernandez & Jennifer DiGiovanniProm-Wrecked by T.H. Hernandez, Jennifer DiGiovanni
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Their prom night ended in a jail cell with forty of their closest friends. But that’s hardly the worst thing that happened to them…

When the principal announces prom is canceled this year, senior Riley Hart is determined to save it. Armed with little more than her own enthusiasm, she ends up working closely with Owen Locklear, who is more than completely off-limits. Because he’s the boyfriend of her ex-BFF, Catherine Reed. Still, Owen knows Riley better than almost anyone, and his charming ideas for turning the prom upside-down and backward win Riley over.

Catherine is willing to join Owen and Riley on the prom committee, but only because her legacy as prom queen is at stake. She’s already suffocating under the weight of her parents’ expectations for after senior year, and compared to that, ensuring prom happens should be easy. At least until everything starts to go wrong.

First they lose their deposit. Then they book a band full of octogenarians. And lose their venue... Twice.

Riley will have an unforgettable teenage experience, damn it, if it’s the last thing she does…

Review:

Prom-Wrecked was absolutely adorable and impossible to put down!  The characters leaped off of the pages and the story constantly had me wondering what was going to happen next.  Between the characters and the scenes that made me smile, I loved this book!  So if you adore ya romance with complicated friendships, swoon worthy guys, epic disasters and a story that will touch your heart, then definitely pick up Prom Wrecked!

“Please tell me prom isn’t destroyed. Again,” I whisper to myself – Riley

On that very first page was a group of high school kids in jail.  And it was all because their Prom night went horribly wrong.  From there we jumped back two months and watched how it all lead to that fateful day.  It was an insanely crazy ride getting there!  Friendships, betrayal, jealousy, love and finding their true selves was splashed across the pages.  But one of my favorite things was that this book was unlike anything I’ve ever read before since we alternated between two ex-bffs, Riley and Catherine. 

So many people are invested in this prom, and I can’t handle the idea of disappointing them. I stare at Owen, the person I want to disappoint least of all, even if he’s going to the dance with someone else. – Riley

First off we met Riley Hart.  She was passionate, tried her hardest, but she was self-conscious at times.  And while she kind of faded into the background around her classmates, to me she felt like the girl next door.  She was super involved with activities at school, but she had never officially been in charge of anything.  So when Riley found out that her Senior Prom was cancelled, for the first time in her life she took charge of something.  She was going to give her classmates a Prom. And her childhood friend aka the guy she had crushed on forever, Owen, promised to help her out.

The small amount of beer in my system starts to have its way with me, and my eyes sting with tears. “You’re so—” I stop before saying something I’ll regret. I’m not even sure what word would’ve come out if I hadn’t hit pause. Loyal? Good? Beautiful? Super-hot?
Smiling, Owen leans over the arm of his chair and tugs on a loose lock of my hair. “So are you.” – Riley

I absolutely loved Owen Locklear!  While he came across as popular and a great baseball player, I loved that he’d geek out and game with Riley.  They’re gaming talk and banter made my heart race.  And the way Owen and Riley connected had me smiling and swooning.  Especially when Owen tried his hardest to help Riley with Prom.  But there was one tiny problem when it came to Riley and Owen.  Owen was Catherine’s boyfriend.  While I definitely shouldn’t have been lusting for Owen and Riley to kiss, the heart wants what the heart wants…..

His eyes soften, and he reaches over to squeeze my hand. “You’re not a bitch, you know that, right?”
My laugh is more genuine this time. “No. I just play one on TV.” – Catherine and Owen

Ironically, I didn’t connect to Catherine Reed at first.  She came across as a little prissy and she tried so hard to be perfect.  But before I knew it, Catherine became my favorite.  While she was a cheerleader, who seemed destined to be her school’s Prom Queen, there was so much more to her than she showed the world.  Underneath it all was a girl that made my heart clutch for her.  Her relationship with her mom, her relationship with Owen and even her relationship with her friends pulled at my heart.  Catherine was flawed, loveable and I kept rooting for her to figure out her life and truly be happy.  So as the story progressed, I loved watching her grow.  And I loved even more that Jordan had a huge role in helping her out with that.

He’s quiet for so long that I lift my head to turn toward him. He’s studying me with both amusement and something else I can’t quite place.
“What?”
“Just now. You. This is the most real I think you’ve ever been with me. I like it. It looks good on you.”
I turn my face to hide my blush. – Jordan and Catherine

Jordan Oswald snuck up on me, just like Catherine.  Before I knew it, I was obsessed with him and added him to my book boyfriend list.  Jordan was sexy, charming and also inconspicuous at the same time.  He easily captured my heart and it was impossible not to smile when he was around.  So when Jordan and Catherine started to work together, for Prom, I loved their interactions and seeing how their friendship grew.  And again, I found myself wishing for a different couple to form.  This time I was rooting for Jordan and Catherine.  You could feel the electricity and sparks between them, any time they were near each other.

We’re in a jail cell with dozens of our classmates, but somehow all of that fades away until it’s only me and Jordon. He’s solid, safe, and the heat from his body so close to mine erases the goose bumps covering my arms. At least until his dark gaze, serious with intent, locks on mine. Then I get goose bumps for an entirely different reason.

While Riley and Catherine told us this story, Owen and Jordan played such a huge role too.  And I loved all of their dynamics, especially when you threw some jealousy in the mix.  But one of the things I loved most about this group was their perseverance.  They got knocked down again and again, yet we watched them slowly find strength in not only themselves, but with each other.  And by that very last page, I loved seeing just how far Riley and Catherine had come.  Especially since that ending left my heart feeling so happy.  So if you’re a fan of ya romance, that pulls at your heart and has fabulous angst, then you definitely have to check out this book!  It flew right onto my favorites list!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Amazon | Amazon Australia | Amazon UK | Amazon Canada | B&N | iBooks | Kobo

About the Authors:

Jennifer DiGiovanni writes light fantasy and contemporary fiction for teens. You can find out more about her books by visiting www.jenniferdigiovanni.com or following her on Instagram or Twitter @jendwrites.

Website • Twitter  • Goodreads

T.H. Hernandez is a young adult author of six novels, spanning the contemporary, post-global warming/dystopian, and urban scifi genres. She lives in San Diego, California with her husband, three kids, and a zoo-worthy collection of animals. Her latest release, PROM-WRECKED, was co-written with Jennifer DiGiovanni and releases May 2019 from Entangled Teen.

Website • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads


Giveaway:

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BOOK REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: The Good Girl’s Guide to Being Bad by Cookie O’Gorman

BOOK REVIEW & GIVEAWAY:  The Good Girl’s Guide to Being Bad by Cookie O’GormanThe Good Girl's Guide to Being Bad by Cookie O'Gorman
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Sadie is tired of being a good girl.

Her Career Aptitude Test results say she's ideally suited for a career in the clergy (aka a nun), and on top of that, she receives yet another rejection. An aspiring dancer/choreographer, Sadie dreams of being featured on Dancer's Edge—but they say she's too sweet, needs more life experience. Her BFF, Kyle, and her oldest friend, 79-year-old Betty, agree: Sadie is in desperate need of a life makeover.

But she'll need a coach.

Sadie doesn't lie, cheat or steal--heck she doesn't even curse (part of the reason she hasn't checked off anything on her "Carpe Diem List"). Sadie doesn't know the first thing about being bad. But Kyle's twin brother, Colton, does. And he's willing to teach Sadie on one condition: she has to do everything he says for the next month.

A dazzling first kiss, two smokin' hot brothers and a bet that changes everything. In this enemies-to-more YA romance, Sadie learns:

Breaking the rules can be fun—especially when it leads to happily-ever-after.

Review:

The Good Girls Guide To Being Bad was fun, flirty and absolutely adorable!  Friendship, kisses, lists, banter, first love and jealousy were wrapped into the pages and I loved every minute of it.  With a hate to love vibe and moments that made me laugh so hard I cried, this book easily flew onto my favorites list. So if you’re looking for a YA Romance that is swoon worthy and smile inducing, then this is definitely your book!

Don’t fall for his brother?  Colton Bishop?
That was one promise I was sure I’d have no trouble keeping.

Sadie Day found out she was destined to be a nun, or at least that’s what the aptitude test from school told her.  As if that wasn’t enough, Dancers Edge rejected her. Again. They said she was too nice and in need of life experiences.  Which she kinda did, since Sadie was the ultimate good girl.  She didn’t drink, cuss and and she had never been kissed.  Plus she had been madly in love with her best friend, Kyle Bishop, since the 5th grade.  But her gorgeous best friend had a twin brother. And while Kyle was preppy and clean cut, his twin Colton was a bad boy.  Sadie wanted to change her good girl ways, and Colton could be the perfect person to help her out.

“Gah!  Will you stop calling it that?”
“What?  Your naughty list?” he said innocently.  “I don’t know what you’re so ashamed about.  It’s natural for repressed good girls like you to want to take a walk on the wild side.”

I absolutely loved Sadie!  She was sweet and innocent, but at the same time she could be brave and fierce.  She was someone I’d love to have as a friend!  But watching Sadie try and crack out of her good girl shell rang me through the emotional ringer.  I actually screamed out loud for her, from embarrassment. Where’s a hole in the ground when you need it?!  And then there were times when Sadie’s naiveness had me shouting nooooo and then laughing so hard I’d cry. The whole time, I kept finding myself cheering for Sadie and her journey.  It was impossible not to be glued to the pages.

“Colton?” I said.
“Yeah?”
Okay, deep breath, Sadie.  You can do this. Time to swallow your pride and carpe freaking diem.
“I was hoping you might want to be my kissing partner.”

When Colton finally agreed to help Sadie work on her list, to gain life experiences, I just knew fireworks were in their future.  You see, Sadie’s relationship with Colton wasn’t anything like what she had with Kyle, his twin brother. Colton was Sadie’s arch-nemesis, so there was a strong hate vibe between them.  Banter was ensured and it was impossible not to smile or laugh when they were around each other.  But every once in a while something would happen between them that would have me sighing out loud.  And I’d find myself wishing that they could be more.

When I finally worked up the courage, I followed my instinct and pulled the ring into my mouth, giving it a short tug.
That was when I realized just how much he’d been holding back.
With something like a growl, Colton slanted his mouth over mine, and the kiss went from a slow burn into a wildfire.

It didn’t matter to me that Sadie had been in love with Kyle for forever. That’s because Colton was my favorite type of guy, sigh.  He’s one of those where you have to dig and look for clues, to see who he truly was.  And while he came across as a conceited, cocky, jerk who got into fights and skipped school, he could also be so sweet to Sadie.  So when he stood up for his brother or did things that would steal my breath, how could I not love Colton with everything I was. Colton was the ultimate pierced, bad boy who quickly captured my heart.

The thoughts I was having right before ending the kiss…they were trouble.  The dangerous kind. My heart was getting confused. This was Colton, not Kyle.  I was in love with Kyle. I’d always been in love with him—but then why was my heart still beating so hard after that kiss with his brother?

I love that Cookie O’Gorman writes swoon worthy stories that make you fall in love, laugh and want to be friends with the characters.  I couldn’t stop smiling while I read this book, I cant recommend it enough!  So if you love stories with bad boys, girls you want to be besties with, an adorable storyline and a hate to love vibe then you should definitely check this book out.

He chuckled, the air hitting my neck as he ducked his head.
When Colton leaned back, it was almost worse because now I could see his eyes, and they bore right into mine, seemingly cool and unaffected.  I had no idea what mine revealed, but I hoped it wasn’t too much.

PS If you’ve read Ninja Girl then you may recognize Sadie.  She was a friend of Ash, so yes, we get to see our favorites from not only Ninja Girl, but Adorkable too!

PPS I LOVED Sadie’s other best friend, Betty.  She was hilarious, that woman cracked me up!

About Cookie O’Gorman:

Cookie O’Gorman writes stories filled with humor and heart for the nerd in all of us. Fiery first kisses, snappy dialogue, smart girls, swoonworthy boys, and unbreakable friendships are featured in each of her books.

    Cookie is a hopeless romantic, a Harry Potter aficionado, and a supporter of all things dork. Chocolate, Chinese food, and Asian dramas are her kryptonite. Above all, she believes that real life has enough sorrow and despair—which is why she always tries to give her characters a happy ending. She is the author of Adorkable, Ninja Girl, The Unbelievable, Inconceivable, Unforeseeable Truth About Ethan Wilder and The Good Girl’s Guide to Being Bad.

Website / Amazon / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

Giveaway:

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BLOG TOUR + GIVEAWAY + REVIEW: To Best the Boys by Mary Weber

BLOG TOUR + GIVEAWAY + REVIEW: To Best the Boys by Mary Weber

BLOG TOUR + GIVEAWAY + REVIEW: To Best the Boys by Mary WeberTo Best the Boys by Mary Weber
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Every year for the past fifty-four years, the residents of Pinsbury Port receive a mysterious letter inviting all eligible-aged boys to compete for an esteemed scholarship to the all-male Stemwick University. Every year, the poorer residents look to see that their names are on the list. The wealthier look to see how likely their sons are to survive. And Rhen Tellur opens it to see if she can derive which substances the ink and parchment are created from, using her father’s microscope.

In the province of Caldon, where women are trained in wifely duties and men are encouraged into collegiate education, sixteen-year-old Rhen Tellur wants nothing more than to become a scientist. As the poor of her seaside town fall prey to a deadly disease, she and her father work desperately to find a cure. But when her Mum succumbs to it as well? Rhen decides to take the future into her own hands—through the annual all-male scholarship competition.

With her cousin, Seleni, by her side, the girls don disguises and enter Mr. Holm’s labyrinth, to best the boys and claim the scholarship prize. Except not everyone’s ready for a girl who doesn’t know her place. And not everyone survives the maze.

Review:

What do you want?

I want my mum to live.
I want the right to earn an education.
I want to be the first female scientist.
I want to create my own happiness.
I want . . .

Okay this was a really interestingly good book. Like I almost don’t even know how to begin this review???? This is another case of me starting an ARC, being interrupted and reading a million other books, and then finally finishing it. Luckily, I finished the last 52% today all in one sitting so it’s still really resonating with me at this moment.

I think the biggest thing that stuck out to me was the writing. Weber is a new-to-me author so I really had had no idea what to expect. Sometimes though, you can tell right away whether or not you are going to like an author’s writing or not. With this book, I literally was entranced within the first paragraph. I can’t really put my finger on what it is about it but I can tell you right now that it was quality writing. I’m actually really happy I immediately thought of the word entranced to describe it. I think the same can be said about the actual story, too.

Like…..it was just so unique. There were times throughout the book where I found myself very interested in this world that Weber created because it all could feel very foreign at certain points but never in a way that made me feel disconnected. At times the language that was used and customs that were mentioned seemed to be a nod at almost a medieval, old fairy tale kind of place??? They all referred to each other and Miss and Mr and women were expected to just become mothers and wives but then Rhen and her father also worked on vaccines and she experimented on rats and dead bodies and there was a king and also an eccentric old man who no one had ever seen but hosted a game within a labyrinth and all these other things that kind of didn’t make sense together but also weirdly meshed and made sense and the same time. That was an incredibly long and convoluted sentence but that’s also how I felt reading this at times lol. BUT NOT IN A BAD WAY! That’s why it’s so hard to explain!

So basically I’m just going to stop trying so that you can pick this book up for yourself and be sucked into this new world and be entranced yourselves!

I will say this, though. I LOVED the characters. Rhen was so amazing and was a genius (while also having dyslexia and never letting it slow her down). She never tried to be anything other than who she was or tried to pretend like her interests (medicine and science and dead bodies) were any different to impress ANYONE. In fact, I loved that when she was truly happy she seemed to word vomit facts about the human body and it made me laugh and love her a little more every single time. Seleni and Beryll, too, were interesting and well fleshed out and I LOVED how Seleni always supported her cousin to the very end. And Lute. OH LUTE. BBF. Like from the very first time he was mentioned I knew I was going to love him and he never let me or Rhen down. Ugh what a dream boat. 

This, overall, is just purely a tale that warmed my freakin heart. I loved every single bit of Rhen and what she achieved over the course of this book (just all sorts of women empowerment in general). I loved that she didn’t have to sacrifice any bit of her happiness at the end, either. I was worried she might have to for a hot second. I also loved that note from Weber at the end explaining that certain characters were representative of people in her own life (Rhen having dyslexia and Lute’s brother having what seemed like autism to me). So while those things might seem different to other people who have dyslexia or know people with Down syndrome and autism, these specific characters and traits came from the people she knew and loved. I had an uncle with Down syndrome and he lived with my parents and me for the last four years of his life when I was in high school and community college. You don’t know what it’s like to be a caregiver to someone with those special needs unless you actually are one. Even with this challenges and specific quirks, I LOVED having him with us because it meant that I now have a better understanding and love for people with Down syndrome. I loved him more than almost anyone in my entire life so knowing Lute acted as caretaker for his mother and brother like that made me love him so much more than I already did. 

Gotta wrap things up before this gets too crazy long but I also kind of liked that this was a standalone? Or is it??? Seems like it is. I haven’t read a great fantasy standalone in who knows how long but everything was tied up perfectly in my opinion. I very much recommend! 

“You take this world and make it what it should be. And don’t let the beliefs of a backward system define you. You are the one who has to live with the future, baby girl. So you live it. You understand?” 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

 

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About Mary Weber:
Hi. I write books. I eat things. I kiss things. I believe in mermaids.
 
I’m also the author of the Storm Siren Trilogy, The Evaporation of Sofi Snow series, and the March 2019 release, To Best the Boys. When not working, I sing 80’s hairband songs to my three muggle children, and ogle my husband who looks strikingly like Wolverine. We live in California, which is perfect for stalking aging movie stars while wearing fanny packs and sweatpants.
 
For those who like to know such things (mainly my mom), Storm Siren was featured in the Scholastic Book Fair and my novels have been endorsed by such nice humans as Marissa Meyer, CJ Redwine, Shannon Messenger, and Jonathan Maberry (in fact, Marissa Meyer and I have a fun interview in the paperback of her book, CRESS). Also, Boba tea & sweatpants are life. {We can chat about life (in sweatpants over tea, obviously) in my Newsletter.

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