The Forgotten Mountain by Heather Lyons Review

Hey everyone! HUGE day today! You guys have seen some great posts this week and I am so excited to keep the ball rolling! Today is the release day for one of my most anticipated (if not the) most anticipated novel of the summer. The third installment in one of my all time favorite series. Today I am so excited to share my thoughts with you all. What are we racing about? The Forgotten Mountain, the third novel in The Collectors' Society series by my good friend and one of my favorite authors, Mrs. Heather Lyons! Before we get to my thoughts, here's a bit about the novel and our author:

After years spent in Wonderland, Alice Reeve learned the impossible was quite possible after all. She thought she left such fantastical realities behind when she finally returned to England.

Now Alice has become a member of the clandestine Collectors’ Society, and the impossible has found her again in the form of an elusive villain set on erasing entire worlds. As she and the rest of the Society race to bring this mysterious murderer to justice, the fight becomes painfully personal.

Lives are being lost. Loved ones are shattered or irrevocably altered. Each step closer Alice gets to the shadowy man she hunts, the more secrets she unravels, only to reveal chilling truths. If she wants to win this war and save millions of lives, Alice must once more embrace the impossible and make the unimaginable, imaginable.

Sometimes, the rabbit hole leads to terrifying places.

Heather Lyons

Heather Lyons has always had a thing for words—she’s been writing stories since she was a kid. In addition to writing, she’s also been an archaeologist and a teacher. Heather is a rabid music fan, as evidenced by her (mostly) music-centric blog, and she’s married to an even larger music snob. They’re happily raising three kids who are mini music fiends who love to read and be read to.

Find Heather Lyons

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS | WEBSITE 

*****

My Thoughts

"Madness- that old, dear friend of mine- has come home for a visit. And I welcome its' return with open arms."

I'll be honest with you guys, I don't even know where to begin. This novel is all over the place (in the best way possible) so my review is probably about to make a whole lot of no sense. 

If someone was to tell me a year ago that one author would completely change the face of my literary world, one author would completely change the way I look at the world of fiction, that one single author would forever alter my bookish mind, I'd tell you that you were crazy. No author and no series since I've begun my blogging has had the effect on me that Heather Lyons The Collectors' Society series has had. I don't say things like this often guys, so you best be paying attention. Heather has not only struck gold once, but she did it again in February with The Hidden Library. The third time was no exception, Heather Lyons has raised the bar yet again, proving that with each passing installment, her talent continues to grow. What a blessing she has bestowed upon we mere mortals!

The Forgotten Mountain was everything I was hoping for from Heather and so much more. 

Being the third book in the series, I have to try hard to make this review as spoiler-free as possible. When it comes to the plot, Heather blew me away. Having pretty much laid out all the ground rules for the series in books one and two, I had a good idea of what could possibly happen in this world. Wrong. And then Heather threw in a wrench and blew me away. Expect the unexpected people. This installment finds out gang on yet another timeline-traveling adventure! With our villains so close, Alice and the gang must do everything they can to stop the destruction of the timelines, and the loss of millions of lives. Our last novel ended with huge uncertainty and some huge cliffhangers. I can proudly say that in book three we do get some much needed resolution, that is, until Heather throws another wrench in the plan! I won't spoil the plot, but I will say that everything you thought you knew about the TCS series? Throw it out the window. Heather Lyons is the woman in charge and she's got a goal to keep us reeling until the very last page!

So by the time we've gotten to book three in a four-part series, we've met a huge majority of the cast. That being said, Heather still managed to throw a few shockers in there and really got the literary juices flowing. A few characters did not see coming finally made their debut in this installment, including one of my all time favorites. One I had been waiting for since the beginning (and yes, he's from Wonderland). Even without a bunch of new characters, Heather does an incredible job of building on her previous development and creating even more complexities for her Collectors' Society recruits. In this novel we see some amazing character development from the A.D. that I was really excited to see. We see a whole new side of Victor, and finally learn more about Mary's life pre-society. It was a lot of fun. I would love to see Heather write spin-offs of this series one day!

When speaking of the setting, I find it hard to write without spoiling anything for new readers. Let me just say that when I found out the title for this novel was The Forgotten Mountain, I had a very specific idea in mind for where Heather was going with the story. I had gone so far as to write my thoughts down in preparation for book 3. Well, I was wrong. In fact, even with my super 'out there' thinking, I was nowhere close to figuring out Heather's plan for the remainder of the series. She got me good. The new primary timeline for this novel may possibly be my favorite one yet. It's so... perfect. Again, not spoiling anything, but Heather really did her homework for this one guys, it shows. Nobody is going to finish this read and think "I wish Heather had put more thought into this." Because geez... Even my head is hurting. This series involves taking quite the plunge, but I know that everyone will be well-impressed by the tale that Heather Lyons has weaved!

As you guys well know, this was the third novel in the series. Each novel brings a little something different into the fold: new characters, new timelines, new emotions. With each installment, the plot thickens, the character become more developed, and the emotional toll rises. This is true of any series, but this one is more than a little special. All stories strive to tell one singular story, however some series make it a point to make each individual novel a story in its' own (Harry Potter, for instance). While that style of writing may work for some, I'm a huge fan of the epic-style of writing used by authors such as Heather Lyons. One of my favorite parts about this series is that the whole thing tells one story. I can't even begin to say what happens in books one or two if you asked for specifics, because Heather has so beautifully tied these stories together. While that may not make sense to some of you, I know those that do will agree with me 110%. It only makes me even more excited for the final installment of the series. So many questions to answer, and after such a jaw dropping cliff-hanger in this novel, I'm chomping at the bit for more!

If I had to sum up The Forgotten Mountain in as few words as possible, it'd be 'simple astounding'. Whenever I think Heather Lyons has done the very best work she can, she raises the bar even farther. Heather Lyons is a national treasure, forever securing herself on my list of all-time favorites. A novel for the ages, The Forgotten Mountain is sure to make a big splash on YOUR summer reading list! 

As you guys can, very clearly, see, I am absolutely in love with The Forgotten Mountain by Heather Lyons. This series has become extremely special to me, but this one may be my favorite one yet! If you guys can remember, The Collectors' Society was actually voted my favorite fantasy read of 2014, and trust me, it wasn't an easy category. For these reasons, and so many more that I may be missing, I am granting The Forgotten Mountain a near-perfect 5-star review. Folks, I'm here to tell you that if you aren't reading this series, then you are seriously missing out. Don't delay, add this to your TBR ASAP!

*****

Alright everyone, that's all I have for you on the topic of The Forgotten Mountain by Heather Lyons. Don't worry, this isn't all you'll be hearing from me about this incredible read though. Later this weekend, I'm on the recruit tour and then in a couple of weeks I'll be on the blog tour! Who is pumped!? I know I am. Serious guys, I cannot put into words how incredible this series is and what it means to me. If you haven't taken the plunge down Heather Lyon's rabbit hole, what are you waiting for? 

Click on the covers below to be taken to my 5-star reviews of the first two novels in this series.

     

Until next time, Happy Reading!

-Ethan

The Hidden Library by Heather Lyons Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway

Hey readers! HAPPY WEDNESDAY! Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for The Hidden Library by Heather Lyons. You guys surely remember how much I raved about book one in the series a few months ago. I listed THL as one of my most anticipated reads of 2015. Did it live up to the hype? Keep reading to find out! Before we get there though, here's a bit about the book and Heather before we get to my thoughts:

Sometimes, the rabbit hole is deeper than expected . . .
Alice Reeve and Finn Van Brunt have tumbled into a life of secrets. Some secrets they share, such as their employment by the clandestine organization known as The Collectors’ Society. Other secrets they carry within them, fighting to keep buried the things that could change everything they think they know.

On the hunt for an elusive villain who is hell-bent on destroying legacies, Alice, Finn, and the rest of the Society are desperate to unravel the mysteries surrounding them. But the farther they spiral down this rabbit hole, the deeper they fall into secrets that will test their loyalties and pit them against enemies both new and old.

Secrets, they come to find, can reveal the deadliest of truths.

iBooks | KoBo

Heather Lyons

Heather Lyons has always had a thing for words—she’s been writing stories since she was a kid. In addition to writing, she’s also been an archaeologist and a teacher. Heather is a rabid music fan, as evidenced by her (mostly) music-centric blog, and she’s married to an even larger music snob. They’re happily raising three kids who are mini music fiends who love to read and be read to.

Find Heather Lyons

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS | WEBSITE 

**Check out my review of 
The Collectors' Society 
by clicking here**

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My Thoughts:

About 7 months ago, I first heard than an author was going to be attempting to write a New Adult adaptation/sequel of sorts to Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Of course, I was all over it. I will admit I was a little iffy at first. As any of you who know me will know, I am obsessed with fictional worlds. Oz and Wonderland are my two biggest. Of course I'm going to be thrilled with anything new that comes from those two worlds, but only if the author can stick true to the original manuscript. Who is this "Heather Lyons" and what can she bring to the table that so many others have failed? Well. I devoured The Collectors' Society and almost had to eat my hat. I don;t remember having such profound feeling after reading a novel in a very long time. It was ranked one of my top 3 reads of 2014, I loved it that much. I loved it so much, I bought TWO copies. (Go read my review at the link above).

Did I ever imagine Heather would strike gold a second time? I didn't know to be honest. Sophomore outings in a series are oftentimes tricky subjects. That being said, nothing could have prepared me for how much I loved The Hidden Library. I finished it in one sitting people. ONE sitting. *sigh* And oh how I wish I could re-read it again for the first time!

Let's start out with some negative critiques I had from the novel. Oh wait... I didn't have any. I LOVED IT ALL. Heather Lyons is a God among readers. Carroll himself would be proud to read these novels.

Let's get to raving!

Just like The Collectors' Society, The Hidden Library is filled with more characters than you could shake a stick at. There aren't too many more additions from book one, and unfortunately I can't discuss any of them without giving away spoilers, but I will give you this piece of advice: Never trust anyone. Don't expect anyone to end this novel the same way they started it! As per my favorite characters? Of course I loved Alice, but this book REALLY pulled out all the stops with Finn. This is not the same Huck Finn who floated down the Mississippi with Jim all those years ago, this Finn has seen the true horrors of life, both in and out of St. Petersburg. Finn has so many issues and in THL, we finally get to see the roots of some of those issues. It was an awesome experience. Heather has such a way with character development, that you can't help but fall in love with her novels. Victor Frankenstein Jr (Victor), still remained my favorite character. I would really love to see Victor get his own spin off series, just saying. I think I'm the biggest fan of Victor! Alice and her Wonderlandian life come into the story in a huge way. The round we find Wonderland caught even farther into its' war, but can the White King (Jace) really do what's necessary to save both his court and the Queen of Diamonds'? When Alice falls victim to a heinous crime, it will take both her past and her future to help her survive. Even with the help of a giant arachnid and magic, will it be enough to save our heroine?

Talk about a non-stop plot. Once you start reading this novel, you seriously cannot put it down. It's so fast paced, you won't be able to find a pause point. Be it our team in pursuit of villains who seek to destroy the catalysts, or life saving missions to save our heroine, through twists and turns, The Hidden Library is everything you'll want in a great read, and more! I won't go too far into detail here, but if you thought you were going to walk away with substantial answers to all your burning questions, think again! Lyons has weaved quite the intricate mystery, and I fear we haven't even begun to see it unravel! In true fiction-fashion, Heather leaves us with quite the cliffhanger, leaving me BEGGING for book three. Woah. Seriously folks, have I mentioned how much I loved this read?

The last thing I want to touch on is the setting. Lyons does such an incredible job interpreting the works of the authors who's stories have inspired hers. From Mark Twain's St Petersburg, to Bronte's Yorkshire Moors, Lyons not only sets the pace for her novel, but also the tone with just a few words. It's incredible, to me, how one moment I can be in 1860s Missouri one moment, and the wet swampy field the Moors the next. From the battle-striken fields of Wonderland, to the amazement of twenty-first century New York City. Heather Lyons doesn't just create a single setting, she creates multiple settings, each with it's own importance to the novel. I believe that any fan of classical literature will find great enjoyment in this series. Lyons does not try to change the original story, only add her own special twist. It is very evident in her every word that Lyons has great respect for the original authors, and for that, I have great respect for her!

I've tried to keep this review on the short side, as I'd like to sleep at some point tonight, but I know I could rave on and on about this read for many, many pages. Heather Lyons is a literary genius on so many levels. Beautifully crafted settings, gripping plots, and enough emotion to satisfy even the coldest of hearts, Lyons has taken elements from some of the greatest novels in history and fashioned them together to create herself a spot on the shelf of future "Great American Classics". Heather Lyons has woven together a story that transforms history, bringing a new-found love of classical literature to a whole new generation of readers. Kudos to you for that Heather Lyons, massive kudos to you.

All-in-all it should come as absolutely no surprise to anyone that I am granting The Hidden Library by Heather Lyons a 5+-star review. Yes, I said FIVE PLUS stars. As in, drop-what-you-are-doing, don't-eat-don't-sleep-ONLY-read-this-novel, kind of awesome. What am I expecting from "TFM" (Heather's code name for book three?) I don't know for sure, but with Heather at the helm, I know that I will be absolutely blown away. The fate of the NA-Fantasy genre rests well in her extremely capable hands!

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Alright readers, that's all I have for you on the topic of The Hidden Library by the incredible Heather Lyons. I know you guys probably think I'm crazy with the wave I rave about this woman, but every second of it is true. She is a literary genius. I cannot say enough wonderful things. If you haven't been convinced by my review, I encourage you to check out all the other awesome stops on the blog tour. Special thanks to Heather and the team at InkSlinger PR for allowing me to participate. Don't forget to enter the giveaway before you leave! Until next time, Happy Reading!

P.S. I'm meeting Heather for the first time THIS weekend at the Austin Book Bash and I'm so excited I can't hardly stand it! You guys be on the lookout, there may be some massive TCS series swag to give away soon!

-Ethan

The Hidden Library by Heather Lyons Release Day Launch (Excerpt + Giveaway)

 

We are dying to jump back down the rabbit hole with Heather Lyons' THE HIDDEN LIBRARY! THE HIDDEN LIBRARY is an Adult Romantic Fairy Tale, full of adventure and fantasy and the second book in Heather’s The Collectors' Society Series! Check out the latest fantastic installment in this series that brings you some of the classics with a twist.

Sometimes, the rabbit hole is deeper than expected . . .

Alice Reeve and Finn Van Brunt have tumbled into a life of secrets. Some secrets they share, such as their employment by the clandestine organization known as The Collectors’ Society. Other secrets they carry within them, fighting to keep buried the things that could change everything they think they know.

On the hunt for an elusive villain who is hell-bent on destroying legacies, Alice, Finn, and the rest of the Society are desperate to unravel the mysteries surrounding them. But the farther they spiral down this rabbit hole, the deeper they fall into secrets that will test their loyalties and pit them against enemies both new and old.

Secrets, they come to find, can reveal the deadliest of truths.

Heather Lyons

Heather Lyons has always had a thing for words—she’s been writing stories since she was a kid. In addition to writing, she’s also been an archaeologist and a teacher. Heather is a rabid music fan, as evidenced by her (mostly) music-centric blog, and she’s married to an even larger music snob. They’re happily raising three kids who are mini music fiends who love to read and be read to.

Find Heather Lyons

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS | WEBSITE 

Have you read book one? The Collectors' Society was one of my Top Reads of 2014! You won't want to miss it! Click the cover below to be taken to my 5-star review!

Don’t miss the first book in this series, THE COLLECTORS’ SOCIETY!

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** iBooks ** Kobo

 

The Hidden Library Excerpt

We are about to open the conference room door and enter the hallway when he stops. He turns to me, his lovely eyes achingly sincere. “I want to take you on a date when all of this craziness is over. A real one. We’ve kind of gone about this all backwards, haven’t we?” One corner of my mouth lifts up. “Are you saying you’d like to court me?” There is no playfulness to his face, no quirk to his own lips. My heart flutters at his seriousness. “Yes.” He wants to court me. Too many emotions rush around in a caucus race throughout my body. I have no doubts of Huckleberry Finn Van Brunt’s feelings toward me. I understood them two minutes ago just as well as I did this morning when I woke up and from the night before and from the day in Wonderland where he said, in not so many words, that he was falling in love with me. I told him he was my north star, and meant it. He countered we are binaries. He and I . . . We’ve never said those words, though, not the ones that truly spell out fragile, deep secrets of a heart and soul. Words so easily and yet unfortunately uttered by many, be it to express their appreciation of fried bits of potatoes to sports teams on the television. Words offered so frivolously about a variety of subjects and yet can be the most difficult, most painful, most meaningful, most cherished syllables we gift another person. I have said these words before, to another man. Another man I still love. One I know, in the deepest confines of my heart, that I will love until the last breath escapes my body. A man who courted me in secret and then publicly in the face of astonishment, disapproval, confusion, and, in the end, prophesies. I have willingly given the man in front of me my heart, though, whether he knows it or not. He now holds it in his hands, and while I pray he is my future, there is still a part of me that bucks in conflicted confusion and delight by this declaration of his. He wants to court me. And yet, as sweet and romantic as such a gesture might be, I require no such formalities. My affections for Finn Van Brunt have already solidified into something real and wonderful and meaningful.

 

  Giveaway 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Alright everyone, that's all I have for you today on the topic of The Hidden Library by Heather Lyons. If I thought book one was great, this one is beyond words! I had a chance to read an early ARC of this one for the blog tour next week and devoured it ASAP! You guys will LOVE this read! Let me know what you think in the comments below! Don't forget to enter the giveaway before you leave. Special thanks to the INCREDIBLE Heather and the team from InkSlinger PR for allowign me to participate! Until next time, Happy Reading!

-Ethan

The Hidden Library (The Collectors' Society #2) by Heather Lyons Cover Reveal

Hey readers! I have got one AMAZING post for you guys right here. Remember The Collectors' Society AKA my favorite NA read of 2014? Surely you do. I've raved about it's amazingness on numerous occasions now. Well guess what? Heather has finally released the cover for book two in this incredible series! As you guys will remember, I am a bit obsessed with the cover for TCS so I have been anxiously awaiting this one for months. I hope you guys are ready, because without farther adieu, I am honored to present the cover to The Hidden Library by Heather Lyons! Here is the cover, some info about the novel, and some great links to Heather's info and the Goodreads:

Heather Lyons is known for writing epic, heartfelt love stories often with a fantastical twist. From Young Adult to New Adult to Adult novels -- one commonality in all her books is the touching, and sometimes heartwrenching, romance. And this book is absolutely no different! The Collectors’ Society’s adventures continue in ways you would have never imagined on February 26th! Join them as you step into this adult fairytale with some of your favorite characters.

We’re overjoyed that you are taking part in the reveal for this fantastic book! Heather worked with Victoria Faye from Whit and Ware for the design of this fabulous cover and we are so delighted to share it with you and your readers.

Sometimes, the rabbit hole is deeper than expected . . .

Alice Reeve and Finn Van Brunt have tumbled into a life of secrets. Some secrets they share, such as their employment by the clandestine organization known as The Collectors’ Society. Other secrets they carry within them, fighting to keep buried the things that could change everything they think they know.

On the hunt for an elusive villain who is hell-bent on destroying legacies, Alice, Finn, and the rest of the Society are desperate to unravel the mysteries surrounding them. But the farther they spiral down this rabbit hole, the deeper they fall into secrets that will test their loyalties and pit them against enemies both new and old.

Secrets, they come to find, can reveal the deadliest of truths.

Heather Lyons

Heather Lyons has always had a thing for words—she’s been writing stories since she was a kid. In addition to writing, she’s also been an archaeologist and a teacher. Heather is a rabid music fan, as evidenced by her (mostly) music-centric blog, and she’s married to an even larger music snob. They’re happily raising three kids who are mini music fiends who love to read and be read to.

Find Heather Lyons

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS | WEBSITE 

Have you read book one? The Collectors' Society was one of my Top Reads of 2014! You won't want to miss it! Click the cover below to be taken to my 5-star review!

Don’t miss the first book in this series, THE COLLECTORS’ SOCIETY!

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** iBooks ** Kobo

Well guys, what do you think? I know I am absolutely PUMPED to check out this read. I don't think words can describe how much I loved book one! For real! Heather is an incredible author and an even more awesome lady, I have had such a great time getting to know her through this series. 

That's all I have for you today on the topic of The Hidden Library by Heather Lyons. Thank you so much for stopping by! What did you think of the new cover? Let me know in the comments below! Huge shout out to Heather and the team at InkSlinger PR for allowing me to participate! Until next time, Happy Reading!

-Ethan

The Collectors' Society by Heather Lyons Review + Giveaway

Hey everyone and Happy Tuesday! I hope you are all having a fantastic start to your work weeks. I don't know about you guys, but I could have definitely used a few more minutes of sleep this morning! No need for the blues however, because I have an awesome review for you guys today. A hands down- no question 5-star review for one of my Top Reads of 2014. I was on the blog tour for this awesome read back in October and haven't had time to post my actual review yet, so I am beyond excited to share it with all of you today. What am I talking about? The Collectors' Society by Heather Lyons! Before we get to my thoughts, here's a bit about the book and our author:

From the author of the Fate series and The Deep End of the Sea comes a fantastical romantic adventure that has Alice tumbling down the strangest rabbit hole yet.

After years in Wonderland, Alice has returned to England as an adult, desperate to reclaim sanity and control over her life. An enigmatic gentleman with an intriguing job offer too tempting to resist changes her plans for a calm existence, though. Soon, she’s whisked to New York and initiated into the Collectors’ Society, a secret organization whose members confirm that famous stories are anything but straightforward and that what she knows about the world is only a fraction of the truth. 

It’s there she discovers villains are afoot—ones who want to shelve the lives of countless beings. Assigned to work with the mysterious and alluring Finn, Alice and the rest of the Collectors’ Society race against a doomsday clock in order to prevent further destruction . . . but will they make it before all their endings are erased?

Heather Lyons

Heather Lyons has always had a thing for words—she’s been writing stories since she was a kid. In addition to writing, she’s also been an archaeologist and a teacher. Heather is a rabid music fan, as evidenced by her (mostly) music-centric blog, and she’s married to an even larger music snob. They’re happily raising three kids who are mini music fiends who love to read and be read to.

Find Heather Lyons

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS | WEBSITE 

 

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My Thoughts:

Nearly one hundred and fifty years ago, the world exploded. Literar-ily speaking. Lewis Carroll took the world by storm with the publication of his groundbreaking novel, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Six years later Carroll struck gold again, this time releasing the sequel to his masterpiece, entitled Through the Looking Glass. In a time when sequels weren't all the rage, Carroll took a stand and gave the world exactly what it wanted more of. More Alice. More Wonderland.

If you guys are followers of this blog, then you know this of me: I love literary worlds. Oz, Wonderland, Neverland, Narnia, Middle Earth, etc, I cannot get enough. Seriously, I'm not much on "the classics", but this is a biggie for me. In a time when the Earth was a scary and bleak place to be, a handful of authors took millions of readers away for just a bit and transported them into a new world. Worlds full of mystery, fantasy, love, and magic. Who wouldn't want to get away? The novels/series that display these magical worlds are among my all time favorite. Wonderland is no exception. I have always been a fan of all things Wonderland. You can only imagine my excitement when I heard Heather Lyons was writing a "sequel" of sorts to Carroll's amazing series.

I remember I first heard of The Collectors' Society back in the summer when the team at InkSlinger PR announced one of their authors was working on a secret project that they knew I would love. As soon as I was given the synopsis, I was in love. Since then, I anxiously awaited each promo and excerpt just waiting for release day! Very seldom do books live up to their hypes for me, but thankfully TCS did not let me down. In fact, it may be tied for my favorite book of the year. Yes, you definitely did read that right.

Before I get to raving about TCS, can I rave about that cover for a moment? Seriously, hands down one of my favorite covers of 2014. It is absolutely beautiful. It says so much without giving away anything about the plot. I love book covers that actually have something to do with the storyline, and this one delivered for me in a big way. Huge kudos to the cover designer. Woah, holy smokes.

So first and foremost I suppose I should point out a few important things about The Collectors' Society. First, this is a New Adult novel. What does that mean? There is cursing, there are sexual innuendos, there are a handful of romantic scenes that may not be appropriate for young children. Ina  nutshell, this isn't a YA book. This is not a family read. Keep this one for you older peeps. This is yet another reason I loved this read, it was so cool to read about my childhood favorites in a way that did not have to be toned down. Second, this is not a retelling of AiW or any of the novels mentioned. If anything, this is really a.... much later sequel. Lyons stays very true to the original material with all of the works mentioned, but still makes them her own. Do not go into this expecting a retelling/sequel, because you will not have the experience you deserve with this read.

Okay, warnings out of the way.

Our story starts six years after Alice's return to England after her adventures in Wonderland. Withering away in a sanitarium... well... "mental rehab" facility, Alice is coming to terms with her life post-Wonderland. But did it even happen? Alice has spent the past several years trying to condition herself back to "normal", but what can be considered normal in the nineteenth century? Definitely not talk of talking cats, evil Queens, and Jabberwockies.

Alice is starting her road to recovery, determined to get out and back into the world, when her life is interrupted by a strange visitor: Abraham Van Brunt. From there, Alice is whisked away into present day New York City. Alice, no longer a character stuck in her timeline, has now joined our world. In our world, Alice joins other literary characters such as Van Brunt, Huck Finn, Wendy Darling, Victor Frankenstein, and many, many more in their endeavor to save the literary worlds, literally! When evil forces begin destroying 'catalysts', magical objects from literary worlds linking them to our world, it's up to the team at The Collectors' Society to not only save the catalysts, but also take down the evil literary villains who have escaped into our world! This entire premise was incredible!

When it comes to character development, this novel really had it all. I will say that the cast for this read was huge, there were so many characters to keep track of. This was the first novel in a planned series so there was a whole lot of ground work to lay, that being said, Heather does an amazing job of keeping everyone straight. In the beginning the Alice we meet is shy, quiet, timid, and a little afraid. But can you blame her? The girl just spent the past 6 years trying to erase her past and come to terms with her future, only to be transported 130 years into the future and have her life turned upside down! By the end of the novel, Alice, or Queen Alice, has completely transformed. From her quiet beginnings, Alice really comes into her own. Leading the group into Wonderland, Alice became the amazing strong willed leader we all love. Definitely book girlfriend material. Seriously! While this book has a huge cast of important characters, I won't go into much detail about the others for fear of spoiling the plot. Just know that all the characters are equally important and play a huge role. Especially keep your eyes on Finn and Jace (AKA The White King of Wonderland).

In terms of theme and adaptation quality, Lyons really produced a masterpiece with TCS. My favorite part about TCS was how Heather was able to take her own series idea, yet still implement the themes of each individual author she channeled when writing this novel. From Lewis Carroll to Mark Twain, little nods to their works can be found sprinkled throughout these 300+ pages. It was truly incredible. Had any of these classic novelists been alive to read this novel, I believe they all would have found TCS to be extremely enjoyable! This is one of those amazing series that I would love to see adapted for television. Think Penny Dreadful, but modern day and without all the horror and sex. Wait... Uhm, scratch that. LOL.

What about the plot? I am not kidding when I say that novel does not have a slow point. From cover to cover, this novel is fast paced. You better hope you are at least somewhat familiar with some literary classics, because Heather wastes no time in getting on with the story. I loved that about this read, there was not a whole lot of need for world development, because most people are familiar with these characters and their backgrounds. Definitely a refreshing twist. I seriously do not have a negative thing to say about this novel. Have you guys figured that out yet? I loved it so much that as soon as I finished, I read it once again just so I could enjoy all the literary references. It's like a yearbook for book nerds. Phenomenal.

Now I have been asked several times about how Wonderland is portrayed in this book. Most of you guys know that I am absolutely obsessed with Oz and Wonderland, I am somewhat a scholar on those topics! I can compare Heather's adaptation of Wonderland a lot like Gregory Maguire's adaption of Oz: honest, dark, and real. Heather doesn't try to sugarcoat Wonderland, she points out the dark, the creepy, the questionable. Some of our favorite characters, the March Hare, the Mad Hatter, the Caterpillar? They are here, but definitely not the same as you left them. Heather really took it upon herself to update Wonderland in a way I found to be both original and definitely worthy of Lewis Carroll's praises. It's definitely Carroll's Wondeland, but with Heather Lyon's twist. And it's incredible. This is not a Wonderland for kids, but an amazing adaptation nonetheless. I absolutely cannot wait to see what Heather does with some other well known literary worlds. Am I the only one secretly hoping for Heather to tackle 1900/20BAU-WWO in future books!? 

This novel was just the beginning of an incredible series I am sure Heather Lyons has planned out. While I know nothing about the future of this series, I can only imagine that we will see lots of adventures into some more of our favorite literary worlds. Honestly, her list of potential ideas is nearly endless. Does this series have limitations? I don't think so. Also, I really like the thought of different novels being told from different literary character points of view. The seriously could go on forever, I see so much potential for spin offs, reboots, etc in this series. Maybe even some opportunity for some awesome fanfic!

I know you guys love when I throw some quotes into my reviews. I have to tell you though, I highlighted over forty passages in TCS, so there is no way I could share them all. Here are a few of my absolute favorite quotes from the novel:

• The best revenge is living. Dying for no other reason than stubbornness serves no purpose at all.
• Madness is more than just the stereotypical person who laughs and eats plates. madness is leaving behind your realities and inhibitions and embracing the impossible ones.
• "Do they talk?" The Ferz is confused by Victor's question. "Do who talk?" "The horses!" "No Doctor. They're horses."

Okay guys, time to wrap this up. At this point it should go without say that The Collectors' Society by Heather Lyons was not only one of my favorite books of 2014, but one of my favorite novels of all time. This is my kind of read. It should be of no surprise to anyone that I am giving this incredible novel a perfect 5+ star review. One of the best reviews I have ever given a novel. Seriously, I do not have have a single complaint to lodge against this incredible read. You will have to look hard to find someone as excited about the next novel as this guy. If this sounds anything like something you would read, I highly advise you to check it out! You will not be disappointed! If you don't trust me, trust the 4.46 average Goodreads rating with over 115 reviews! Lyons definitely hit the mark with this one, I haven't read any of her other works, but I can definitely say she has gained a big fan in me! Kudos to you Heather Lyons, you have created a literary masterpiece, my friend.

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Why pay for your own copy when you can win one right here! In celebration of this incredible novel, I am giving away one FREE ecopy of The Collectors' Society! Enter the rafflecopter below for your chance to win!

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Alright guys, that's all I have for you on the topic of The Collectors' Society by the incredible Heather Lyons. If you didn't get the hint in that review, this was by far one of my absolute favorite reads of 2014. It will be making its' appearance on my "end of year" wrap-up lists, without a doubt! I hope that lots of you have checked out this incredible read already and I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below! Don't forget to enter the rafflecopter above! Thanks so much for stopping by! Until next time, Happy Reading!

-Ethan

 

The Collectors' Society by Heather Lyons Release Day Launch

People! THE DAY IS HERE!! Hello and welcome one and all to my release day launch post for The Collectors' Society by Heather Lyons! There are not enough exclamation marks on my keyboard to tell you guys HOW EXCITED I am about this book! I've read it (I was on the blog tour this past week, more info on that later) and I freaking LOVED it! One of my favorite reads of 2014, hands down! Enough of my raving, here's a little bit about the book, the author, an excerpt, some amazing graphics, AND a giveaway!

From the author of the Fate series and The Deep End of the Sea comes a fantastical romantic adventure that has Alice tumbling down the strangest rabbit hole yet.

After years in Wonderland, Alice has returned to England as an adult, desperate to reclaim sanity and control over her life. An enigmatic gentleman with an intriguing job offer too tempting to resist changes her plans for a calm existence, though. Soon, she’s whisked to New York and initiated into the Collectors’ Society, a secret organization whose members confirm that famous stories are anything but straightforward and that what she knows about the world is only a fraction of the truth.

It’s there she discovers villains are afoot—ones who want to shelve the lives of countless beings. Assigned to work with the mysterious and alluring Finn, Alice and the rest of the Collectors’ Society race against a doomsday clock in order to prevent further destruction . . . but will they make it before all their endings are erased?

Heather Lyons

Heather Lyons has always had a thing for words—she’s been writing stories since she was a kid. In addition to writing, she’s also been an archaeologist and a teacher. Heather is a rabid music fan, as evidenced by her (mostly) music-centric blog, and she’s married to an even larger music snob. They’re happily raising three kids who are mini music fiends who love to read and be read to.

FIND HEATHER LYONS

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS | WEBSITE 

Excerpt:

“Do you find my ability to converse lacking, Doctor?”

He chuckles softly, no doubt remembering how I wasn’t chatty with anyone, himself included, for the first month of my stay. To be fair, it is difficult to carry on an invigorating discussion when one is shaking so hard from withdrawals they fear they might shatter into thousands of painful pieces before a single word can be uttered. Plus, there was the whole bit of how once I did open up, I raved liked a lunatic about things no normal person could imagine being true.

“Certainly not,” he says to me. “But as I must stay at the Pleasance and you must go forth into the world, it will do you good to practice on somebody new.”

“Then send in one of the orderlies. Or one of the nurses. I’ll happily chat with a staff member.”

One of his bushy, out-of-control eyebrows lifts high into his forehead.

“There are people out there who are quite content being solitary,” I point out. “Who do not need to converse with anybody but themselves and their dogs.”

He sets his pen down. “What about cats?”

Rigor mortis sets in ever so briefly at this question.

“You father said you were quite fond of cats growing up. There was one in particular that you favored. Dinah, was it not?”

“I’m—” I have to clear my throat. “Lately, I wonder if perhaps I’m more of a dog person after all.”

  

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Giveaway! 

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Alright reader, that is all I have for you on the topic of The Collectors' Society by Heather Lyons! But that's not the only great news I have for you! Keep on reading to learn more! Thanks so much for stopping by! Special thanks to Heather and the awesome team at InkSlinger PR for allowing me to participate!

Before you leave, I have really exciting news, Mrs. Heather Lyons has joined the AMAZING team of authors I have gathered for my Halloween Author Invasion! She joins a host of nearly 20 Halloween-ish authors in a celebration of all Spooktacular reads! Come check out the event by clicking either graphic below! Until next time, Happy Reading!

 

-Ethan