Posts Categorized: ARC tour

ARC Tour Review- Defy by Sara B. Larson

19 Nov, 2013 by in ARC tour, review, Sara B. Larson, scholastic, young adult fiction Leave a comment

ARC Tour Review- Defy by Sara B. Larson

Defy

by Sara B. Larson
Series: Defy #1
Published by Scholastic on January 7th 2014
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
Pages: 336 pages
Format: ARC
Source: ARC Tour
Goodreads
A lush and gorgeously written debut, packed with action, intrigue, and heart-racing romance.

Alexa Hollen is a fighter. Forced to disguise herself as a boy and serve in the king's army, Alex uses her quick wit and fierce sword-fighting skills to earn a spot on the elite prince's guard. But when a powerful sorcerer sneaks into the palace in the dead of night, even Alex, who is virtually unbeatable, can't prevent him from abducting her, her fellow guard and friend Rylan, and Prince Damian, taking them through the treacherous wilds of the jungle and deep into enemy territory.

The longer Alex is held captive with both Rylan and the prince, the more she realizes that she is not the only one who has been keeping dangerous secrets. And suddenly, after her own secret is revealed, Alex finds herself confronted with two men vying for her heart: the safe and steady Rylan, who has always cared for her, and the dark, intriguing Damian. With hidden foes lurking around every corner, is Alex strong enough to save herself and the kingdom she's sworn to protect?
Review: I received this book as part of a two state ARC tour and was so excited to read local author Sarah B. Larson’s debut. It reminded me a bit of Shannon Hale and Kristin Cashore–fantasy with a strong female heroine all mixed in with fantasy elements of magic.

Defy starts out with the death of Alexa’s parents, and her decision to flee with twin brother Marcell, ultimately disguising herself as a male soldier. She is welcomed as one of the King’s Elite guard who lives in the castle protecting royalty. 

I made a rocky start with this one as the opening chapter describe in detail the King’s breeding program.  Its a horrific description of the mistreatment of young women in Defy’s world. Alexa must visit the complex to escort newly orphaned girls which put a dark, sinister tone in the beginning that I did not like. However, after reading on, there were lots of things I did enjoy:

the relationship between Alexa and her brother– the family loyalty
the sparring of the guard, watching Alexa train
the idea of healing, of sorcery being used for good
the pacing, which kept me flipping pages, and
the two men who are vying for Alexa’s attention

The dynamic between Alexa and her main love is super confusing and uncomfortable for me, until we are sure where things stand. There was also a difficulty for me believing who does and does not know her identity secret.

In the end, this is not your run of the mill happily ever after. The character arc and progression of Alex to Alexa is a very conflicted, emotional one– from warrior to confused and in love, to the ending, which I can’t spoil, but is quite a twist. This is a solid debut by Sarah, one that you can tell she poured her heart into. Because of my personal content preferences it was rocky for me but I think it will appeal to many YA readers. 

Thanks so much to Windy Aphyrath, Sarah B. Larson and Scholastic for letting us have a sneak peek into Defy.

Content: This is a definitely pick for older teens or adults because of content (highlight the line after parenthesis for content) 
rape, violence against young women, moderate war related violence, heavy sensuality

Author Bio: I love writing, reading, and dessert–but the order varies by the day. I write books that have magic and romance and kick-butt girls and a whole lot more. My husband and I live in Utah with our three children. I write during naptime and the hours when most people are sleeping. My husband claims I should have a degree in “the art of multitasking.” On occasion you will find me hiding in a bubble bath with a book and some Swedish Fish. I am represented by Josh Adams of Adams Literary and my YA debut DEFY is coming Spring 14 from Scholastic!

Find Sarah on Goodreads/ author website/ twitter/ facebook

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Everneath ARC Tour and Book Breview

07 Dec, 2011 by in ARC tour Leave a comment

Everneath (Everneath #1)
by Brodi Ashton
Hardcover, 370 pages
Expected publication: January 24th 2012
by Harper Collins / Balzer + Bray
ISBN 0062071130
Source: Author ARC Tour
4 stars
Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she’s returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld… this time forever.

So here’s the deal, if you’re looking for a happy go lucky sunny walk in the park Everneath is quite the opposite. It’s a real hard look at the true to life feelings of a teen who has returned to the earth as a shell of the girl she once was. She’s lost her mother in a drink driving accident and in a moment of grief made a choice which alters her path for the next hundred years to eternity. If you know the author, Brodi Ashton, she is a hilarious human with a sassy sense of humor, but writing Everneath she followed a voice much unlike her own. Brodi says ” My book, EVERNEATH?: not funny. Not hardy har har funny. Sometimes it can be funny in a “Can you believe there’s So. Much. Death?” kind of way. Other times it’s funny in a “OMG she is so screwed! lol” kind of way. Have you ever had a story call to you that scares you because you don’t think you can write it? I say… write it! I did.” She has some guts people!


Thanks to Brodi and Windy Aphayrath for putting together a local ARC tour and giving us a sneak peek!
You Might Also Like: The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter, Abandon by Meg Cabot, or The Hourglass Door by Lisa Mangum.
Brodi Ashton Author Bio- “Because of two parents who were Greek myth geeks, I grew up thinking the latest fashion trends were inspired by Aphrodite, and a good conversational opener was, “So, which mythological character do you most resemble?” Despite these social shortcomings, I found a great husband who’s always my first reader. We live in Utah with our two young boys, who still have no idea why I’m at the computer all the time.
I received a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Utah and a Master’s degree in International Relations from the London School of Economics.
I write Young Adult novels. I eat cinnamon bears. I love me some Diet Coke. My debut book EVERNEATH (the first in a trilogy) comes out January 24, 2012 with Balzer and Bray (HarperCollins).”

Everneath is a unique take on the ancient tale of Persephone and Hades with a dash of Egyptian mythology. Main heroine Nikki has just spent 100 years in the Everneath with bad boy Cole who feeds off of her life essence. At the end of her term she chooses to return to the surface for the last time. Six months to say goodbye to her family and six months to reconcile her feelings with Jack, the only bit of memory she was able to retain in the underworld. His face kept her alive while she endured her own personal hell. And now the challenge for Nikki is overcoming her emaciated sense of hopelessness to make the choice between becoming an Everliving Queen at Cole’s side or anchoring to the hope of Jack.  Told in both present and past tense, Everneath explores addiction, co dependence, parental trust, grief and the ultimate redeeming power of love. The ending is one heck of a cliffhanger, so prepare yourselves to be invested for a trilogy. Everneath is haunting, intelligent and engaging. Bravo to Brodi for being so brave. Utah residents will love the Park City setting. An awesome and unique debut! And the cover…my very favorite of 2012.As Nikki’s time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she’s forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole’s…Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there’s a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he’ll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen. She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can’t find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Indelible Blog Tour Stop and Book Review

20 Sep, 2011 by in ARC tour, pendrell 12 comments

Fire and Ice is happy to be participating in the Indelible Blog Tour hosted by Once upon a Twilight and Lani Woodland. Today we are sharing our review of
The Yara Silva Trilogy #2
Indelibleby Lani Woodland
Hardcover, 416 pages
Expected publication: September 27th 2011
by Pendrell Publishing
ISBN 0982729723
4 stars
Yara is beginning to understand just how much her life will change now that her Waker abilities have emerged. She has come to terms with the fact that seeing ghosts is part of her life, but she isn’t ready to let being a Waker dictate her choices. All she wants is a ghost-free senior year with her boyfriend, Brent, and her best friend, Cherie. But Yara soon discovers that there are more dark secrets in her school’s history than just the curse she broke. While an angry ghost makes Yara question everything she thought she knew about spirits, she and Brent learn that there are long reaching consequences to last year’s adventures. As new enemies emerge and old ghosts resurface, Yara finds herself in the center of another deadly mystery, and this time she has to contend with the living as well as the dead.

Book one of the Yara Silva series, Intrinsical was one of my very favorite reads of last year, so of course I jumped on the chance to read the second book in the series. Lani does a wonderful job of creating suspenseful horror and historical ghost stories. Indelible picks up with Yara having returned to Pendrell Academy after spending the summer in Brazil with her grandmother and the matriarca of the Wakers, Vovo. Things swing into full motion quickly as she and Brent are pulled into yet another creepy mystery–this time involving the wife of Pendrell’s founder, the long red haired Sophia. And let me tell you….this ghost has a nasty temper!

Weaving historical facts from the local area into the storyline Lani Woodland introduces us to a mysterious group called “The Clutch” and the residual murder mystery that still haunts the alumni house. Meanwhile, Brent is fighting some demons of his own and he and Yara have to weather more than one storm physically and emotionally. We are introduced to a new character DJ who annoyingly calls Yara “cupcake” and are graced once again with the supernatural sleuth skills of Christy and Steve. There are layers upon layers of things going on in Indelible . It is one fast paced little ride.

I love that Lani gave Trader Joe’s a cameo appearance and I’m sure hoping we learn more about the American Waker Yara spotted there in book three. I won’t miss Inevitable which is set to come out next year. Thanks so much to Yara from Once Upon A Twilight and author Lani Woodland for giving us a sneak peek and inviting us to be a part of the Idelible blog tour. My suggestion: read this one with the light on and far away from a pool!

Content: Moderate violence, some blood and horror, making out. No swearing or sex. Recommended for teens 16 and older.

About the Author: Lani Woodland has been an avid reader since elementary school when she first discovered the Babysitters Club and Sweet Valley Twins series. In sixth grade she began writing plays and recruiting (with force when necessary) her friends to act them out. Most of these early works were inspired by She-Ra, the epitome of girl power to her young self.

She graduated from BYU with a BS in Family Science. Lani has always loved scary stories, and has a hard time enjoying any book without at least a little romance in it. She lives in Southern California with her husband, their two children and a large collection of board games. She has worked as a spot-welder, babysitter, janitor, photographer, gymnastics coach, and movie extra. She enjoys bonfires at the beach, hole-in-the-wall restaurants, speed talking, chocolate as a cure-all, and the word “precisely”.

Visit Lani at her Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

We have a couple of Intrinsical/ Indelible bookmarks to give away courtesy of the author, Lani Woodland. Simply comment below to enter. Open Internationally. Ends October 20, 2011.


Ashes ARC Tour

19 Aug, 2011 by in ARC tour 2 comments

Ashes (Ashes Trilogy #1)

by Ilsa J. Bick

Hardcover, 480 pages

Expected publication:

September 6th 2011

by EgmontUSA

It could happen tomorrow…

A cataclysmic event. An army of “The Changed.”

Can one teen really survive on her own?

An electromagnetic pulse sweeps through the sky, destroying every electronic device and killing billions. For those spared, it’s a question of who can be trusted and who is no longer human…

Desperate to find out what happened and to avoid the Changed, Alex meets up with Tom—a young army veteran—and Ellie, a young girl whose grandfather was killed by the electromagnetic pulse.

This improvised family will have to use every ounce of courage they have just to survive





We are accepting five readers in the U.S. for this ARC tour on a first come first serve basis. For a full list of Fire and Ice ARC tour rules and to sign up click here and fill out the form.

1)Heather R

2)

3)

4)

5)

The Name of The Star ARC Tour- Closed

11 Jul, 2011 by in ARC tour, maureen johnson, name of star 3 comments

The Name of The Star
by Maureen Johnson
Hardcover, 370 pages
Expected publication:
September 29th 2011
by Putnam
series: Shades of London #1
The day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London marks a memorable occasion. For Rory, it’s the start of a new life at a London boarding school. But for many, this will be remembered as the day a series of brutal murders broke out across the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper events of more than a century ago.

Soon “Rippermania” takes hold of modern-day London, and the police are left with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory spotted the man police believe to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him. Even her roommate, who was walking with her at the time, didn’t notice the mysterious man. So why can only Rory see him? And more urgently, why has Rory become his next target? In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, full of suspense, humor, and romance, Rory will learn the truth about the secret ghost police of London and discover her own shocking abilities.

We are accepting five readers in the U.S. for this blog tour. First come first serve. For a full list of Fire and Ice ARC tour rules and to sign up click here and fill out the form.

1) Bethany L
2) Penelope L
3) Kate T
4) Kelli C
5) Elizabeth W

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ARC Tour- The Apothecary

08 Jun, 2011 by in ARC tour, putnam Leave a comment

The Apothecary
by Maile Meloy
Hardcover, 368 pages
Expected publication:

October 4th 2011
by Putnam Juvenile
ISBN 039925627X


It’s 1952 and the Scott family has just moved from Los Angeles to London. Here, fourteen-year-old Janie meets a mysterious apothecary and his son, Benjamin Burrows–a fascinating boy who’s not afraid to stand up to authority and dreams of becoming a spy. When Benjamin’s father is kidnapped, Janie and Benjamin must uncover the secrets of the apothecary’s sacred book, the Pharmacopoeia, in order to find him, all while keeping it out of the hands of their enemies–Russian spies in possession of nuclear weapons. Discovering and testing potions they never believed could exist, Janie and Benjamin embark on a dangerous race to save the apothecary and prevent impending disaster.

Together with Ian Schoenherr’s breathtaking illustrations, this is a truly stunning package from cover to cover.

We are accepting five readers in the U.S. for this blog tour. First come first serve. Must be willing to read and review the book within five days, send it to the next person with delivery confirmation, and send a link of your review and a DCF number to Fire and Ice via email. For a full list of rules and to sign up click here and fill out the form.

Juliet Immortal International ARC Tour

02 May, 2011 by in ARC tour 6 comments

Juliet Immortal
by Stacey Jay
Hardcover, 320 pages
Expected publication:
September 13th 2011
by Delacorte Books
for Young Readers

“These violent delights have violent ends
And in their triumph die, like fire and powder,
Which as they kiss consume.”
—Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

The most tragic love story in history . . .

Juliet Capulet didn’t take her own life. She was murdered by the person she trusted most, her new husband, Romeo Montague, a sacrifice made to ensure his own immortality. But what Romeo didn’t anticipate was that Juliet would be granted eternity, as well, and would become an agent for the Ambassadors of Light. For 700 years, she’s fought Romeo for the souls of true lovers, struggling to preserve romantic love and the lives of the innocent. Until the day she meets someone she’s forbidden to love, and Romeo, oh Romeo, will do everything in his power to destroy that love.

To read an advanced reading copy of Juliet Immortal as part of Fire and Ice ARC tours click here and fill out the form.

Hourglass ARC Tour

14 Apr, 2011 by in ARC tour, myra mcentire 3 comments

Hourglass
by Myra McEntire
Hardcover, 397 pages
Expected publication:
June 14, 2011
by EgmontUSA
ISBN 1606841440

One hour to rewrite the past . . . For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn’t there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents’ death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She’s tried everything, but the visions keep coming back. So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson’s willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past. Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he’s around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened? Full of atmosphere, mystery, and romance, Hourglass merges the very best of the paranormal and science-fiction genres in a seductive, remarkable young adult debut.

Thanks to Egmont USA we have a copy to send on tour! To read an advanced reading copy of Hourglass as part of Fire and Ice ARC tours, fill out this form.

Bitter Melon International ARC Tour

30 Mar, 2011 by in ARC tour 2 comments

Bitter Melon
by Cara Chow

Hardcover,
224 pages
Published December 28th 2010

by EgmontUSA
ISBN 1606841262

Frances, a Chinese-American student at an academically competitive school in San Francisco, has always had it drilled into her to be obedient to her mother and to be a straight-A student so that she can go to Med school. But is being a doctor what she wants? It has never even occurred to Frances to question her own feelings and desires until she accidentally winds up in speech class and finds herself with a hidden talent. Does she dare to challenge the mother who has sacrificed everything for her? Set in the 1980s.

To read an advanced reading copy of Bitter Melon as part of Fire and Ice ARC tours, simply fill out this form.

Book Review & ARC Tour- Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

26 Jun, 2010 by in ARC tour, new YA fiction, paranormalcy 2 comments

to be published August 31st 2010 by HarperTeen
details Hardcover, 352 pages
url http://www.kierstenwhite.com/
isbn 0061985848
5 stars
Sixteen-year-old Evie’s job is bagging and tagging paranormals. Possessing the strange ability to see through their glamours, she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency. But when someone–or something–starts taking out the vamps, werewolves, and other odd beasties she’s worked hard to help become productive members of society, she’s got to figure it out before they all disappear and the world becomes utterly normal.

Normal is so overrated

I received Paranormalcy as an Advanced reader copy from HarperTeen and quite literally did the happy dance then ran inside to take pictures of the awesome cover. The pages inside are just as exciting! Evie, the main bagger and tagger at the IPCA is the perfect balance of sass and spunk complete with a blinged out pink taser and knife. She is witty and smart, part secret agent by day and crushing teen by night. She longs to live everyday experiences like going to school and having a locker. But never fear, her best mermaid friend Lish can experience it vicariously with her via their soap opera Easton Heights. Because, who didn’t have a favorite teen show when they were growing up?!!
Kiersten White does a perfect job of writing teens in a light hearted, funny way and her writing is completely clean. She creates dreamy male characters that are both fighting for Evie in their own way. Lend, the quiet artist with a changing face who is smooth as water. Reth the fairy who wants to fill Evie with his warmth is evil yet tantalizing. Each paranormal has a personality you can relate to and understand, even though they are still figuring it all out themselves. It’s a rich menagerie of mythical creatures all thrown into one setting. You’ll find yourself laughing out loud.

Paranormalcy is a must read for all teens. Just the right mix of action, sarcasm and a sprinkle of romance. Read it when it hits the shelves in August… you’ll see why everyone is raving about the book being “bleeping” fabulous! 5 stars. I can’t wait for more!!

To join our Paranormalcy ARC tour email us. Open to U.S. residents only.