Heroes of Arcania: Unbreakable by Liz Long Review

Hey readers! Ethan here on this very special Thursday with another review for you all. Today is the release day for the final novel in an incredible new series that's taking Summer 2016 by storm. The latest release from one of my all-time favorite authors. I'm so pumped to share my thoughts. On the chopping block today? Heroes of Arcania: Unbreakable by Liz Long! Before we get to my thoughts, here's a bit about the novel and out author:

True heroes refuse to be broken.

Nova started the fight against Fortune for simple revenge, but now it’s turned into something much bigger. Arcania’s criminals are at each other’s throats, putting the city right in the middle of a warzone. She’ll have to work with a few unlikely allies to end Fortune’s games once and for all. Nova thought she understood what it meant to be a superhero, but will she have to lose herself to truly defeat Fortune?

Fortune has given Cole a choice, one with unbearable consequences. When Cole takes matters into his own hands to save his sister Penelope, he realizes too late he’s another pawn in Fortune’s games. Fortune will use Cole’s gift against his enemies…including Nova. Cole will have to become the hero he always wanted to be if he’s going to protect the love of his life.

Nova and Cole could finally save Arcania from Fortune’s deadly games, but are they willing to sacrifice each other?

     

About the Author:

Liz Long is a ridiculously proud graduate of Longwood University with a BA in English. Her inspiration comes from action and thriller genres and she spends entirely too much time watching superhero movies. Her fabulous day job as a social media editor includes writing for a publishing company in Roanoke, VA.

Her first book, Gifted, is the first book in the Donovan Circus series, where superpowers meets the circus. Burned is the second adventure. Her standalone book Witch Hearts, is a story about a serial killer hunting witches for their powers. Her newest book A Reaper Made is an NA Paranormal tale of a Reaper using magic to save her family from demons. All titles are available at Amazon on Kindle and paperback, Barnes & Noble for Nook, and iBooks.

Find Liz Online

Website  I  Facebook  I  Twitter  I  Amazon Author Page

*****

My Thoughts:

In a summer full of great releases, one has stood high above the masses. A series full of hope, action, adventure, and emotion. A series that has taken critics by storm. Heroes of Arcania has been one amazing trilogy from start to finish! With the release of Unbreakable, Liz Long has completed the story of Nova, Cole, and Penelope as they take on Arcania's greatest threat: the madman Fortune with more than a few secrets up his sleeve.

After a successful summer of releases leading up to the earth-shattering finale, could Long deliver on the high hopes and promises made? Absolutely! And so much more!

As anyone who has followed the writing career of Long will attest, Unbreakable is her greatest work yet! After two highly successful releases in the trilogy, I have found myself holding my breath in anticipation of the HoA finale. Will Nova finally avenge her sister's death and save her precious Arcania from Fortune's evil grasps?

I won't say too much about the plot in this one as to avoid massive spoilers, but I can tell you that this finale was everything I was hoping for, and more. We finally get answers to the hard-hitting questions the readers have been begging for since the release of book one. Our story comes to a close in one action-packed finale that will leave you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. Long has truly outdone herself with this release!

Unbreakable really brought out the emotions unlike anything I've seen from Long previously (and everyone who has read her Donovan Circus series knows that's a feat). Long pulls out all the stops with some incredible themes and a more than a few heart-stopping moments of suspense and action. Saying goodbye to the Heroes of Arcania wasn't easy, but wow, what an ending!

In a one-of-a-kind series like Heroes of Arcania, Long has taken the traditional conventions of the Superhero genre and turned them on their heads. With an exception cast of well-developed characters, an emotionally-gripping plot, and a setting that really takes the cake, Long has crafted a trilogy sure to stay fresh on the minds of readers for years to come!

Look out Hollywood, I've got your next Superhero blockbuster right here! Be on the look out readers, Long is a star who is here to stay and shine on! Massive kudos to Long for completing such an intriguing and well-written superhero series for fans of all ages and reader-interests. The perfect read for anyone looking to spice up their TBR this summer, Heroes of Arcania is NOT to be missed!

As you can clearly see, I was a huge fan of the finale to this incredible series. I am so excited to be granting Unbreakable, a near-perfect 5-star review. I highly recommend this series to all fans of sci-fi, paranormal, or superheros of all age levels. Add this series to your TBR today!

Don't forget to check out Liz Long's Donovan Circus series for even MORE Gifted fun!

*****

Alright readers, that's all I have for you today on the topic of Heroes of Arcania: Unbreakable! This has been an incredible summer full of releases from Liz Long and I absolutely cannot wait to see what she comes up with next? Is this truly the end to Nova's story? Only time will tell! Thanks so much for stopping by. Until next time, Happy Reading! 

-Ethan

Heroes of Arcania: Fortune's Favor (HoA #2) by Liz Long Review

Hey readers! Ethan here on this very special Thursday with a review for you all. This past Thursday was release day for the second novel in an incredible new series that's taking Summer 2016 by storm. The latest release from one of my all time favorite authors. I'm so pumped to share my thoughts. On the chopping block today? Heroes of Arcania: Fortune's Favor by Liz Long! Before we get to my thoughts, here's a bit about the novel and out author:

Nova will learn it takes more than sheer strength to be a superhero. Her world implodes when Fortune strikes back for all the trouble she's caused. His dangerous games put everyone around her at risk, especially when he decides to turn Arcania against its precious Heroes. Nova wants to protect Arcania, but how does she save a city that doesn't want her help?

Cole has no idea how to deal with his sister Penelope, especially now that she's learned the truth about their family secret. Thanks to Fortune, she's headed down a dark path, one with no return. Torn between helping Nova and protecting his sister, Cole will be forced to make a choice. Tensions rise as Cole and Nova discover war will come to Arcania if they don't get Fortune off the streets...or preferably six feet under.

Nova and Cole might have each other, but will they lose everything else in their mission to save Arcania?

     

About the Author:

Liz Long is a ridiculously proud graduate of Longwood University with a BA in English. Her inspiration comes from action and thriller genres and she spends entirely too much time watching superhero movies. Her fabulous day job as a social media editor includes writing for a publishing company in Roanoke, VA.

Her first book, Gifted, is the first book in the Donovan Circus series, where superpowers meets the circus. Burned is the second adventure. Her standalone book Witch Hearts, is a story about a serial killer hunting witches for their powers. Her newest book A Reaper Made is an NA Paranormal tale of a Reaper using magic to save her family from demons. All titles are available at Amazon on Kindle and paperback, Barnes & Noble for Nook, and iBooks.

Find Liz Online

Website  I  Facebook  I  Twitter  I  Amazon Author Page

*****

My Thoughts:

In a world full of turmoil, escaping away into the pages of a good series is an amazing way to escape reality, if even for a moment. While many books will whisk you away to a land of make-believe, many cannot depict our own world in positive light these days. Many cannot see that light. Few authors can deliver the emotional uplifting required to lift the spirits of readers today. Liz Long, however, is one of those authors. The world needs heroes. And Long delivers.

Last month, Long rocked the bookish community with the release of Heroes of Arcania: SuperNova, the first in a YA Superhero trilogy that is set to take Summer 2016 by storm. I, along with many other readers, absolutely devoured book one and couldn't wait to get my hands on the second installment of the series. Book could book two live up to the hype?

Yes. So. Much. Yes.

I'm one of those weird readers who actually finds second novels in a series (particularly a trilogy) to be the best. The second installment is always one full of emotional storybuilding and character development before the big showdowns in the finale. While some readers aren't always impressed by that, I know I sure am. On top of those points, Long goes even further and delivers some huge action-packed scenes in Fortune's Favor. If you were expecting a slow-paced feels-fest, you're looking in the wrong place.

From the very first page (which picks up immediately after book one), we're drawn back into the world of Nova Benson, Fortune, and the Heroes of Arcania. The stakes are higher than ever when not only are our hero's lives, but their identities, are at stake. Can Nova and the gang stop Fortune from his biggest heist yet? Will Nova avenge her sister's death and finally bring an end to Fortune's reign of terror?

Fans of Long and HoA will love what Long has done with this second installment in the series. I can't say much else for fear of spoilers, but trust me: you won't be able to set down this high-octane adventure full of thrills and suspense. Fortune's Favor may be Long's best work to-date! Expect the unexpected in this one folks, Long is here to surprise!

As you can see, I was clearly a huge fan of Heroes of Arcania: Fortune's Favor and I am so glad I have had the opportunity to share these thoughts with you all. I am so excited to be granting HoA: Fortune's Factor a well-deserved, near-perfect 5-star review. I highly recommend this series to all fans of sci-fi, paranormal, or superheros. Add this series to your TBR today!

*****

Alright readers, that's all I have for you today on the topic of Heroes of Arcania: Fortune's Favor. This was just the second in an incredible that's being rapid released this summer so definitely be on the lookout for more info about the rest of the series. I've already read book three and can promise you that you're going to love this finale! Be sure to add this one to your TBR today. Thanks so much for stopping by. Until next time, Happy Reading! 

-Ethan

Eternal Sacrifice (Mortal Enchantment #3) by Stacey O'Neale Blog Tour (Review + Giveaway)

Hey Readers! Ethan here with an exciting post for you today. I am so honored to be presenting this blog tour post to you all today. Why is this post so important? It's my review of the series finale to one of my all-time favorite series. It's such a bittersweet moment here at One Guy's Guide to Good Reads, but let's get started. Before we get to my thoughts, here's a bit about the novel and our author:

     

The explosive conclusion to Stacey O’Neale’s award-winning Mortal Enchantment series reveals the secrets of the fantasy world!

Valac has stolen two of the sacred objects. In a bid to rule all four courts, he has threatened to use Excalibur to cut the mist that protects Avalon—ultimately ending the lives of thousands of elementals. As the Akasha, Kalin has the power to stop him. And she refuses to lose anyone else she loves.

Will she have to sacrifice herself to save them?

Desperate to save Kalin’s life, Rowan searches for the long-lost creator of the mist. But what he finds is the very last thing he expected. Everything he thought he knew about his past is turned upside down, and he questions whether he’s meant to be the savior or the elemental that destroys them all.

Told from Kalin, Rowan, and Marcus’s perspective, the final installment to the series follows their journey of courage, duty, sacrifice, and love.

Stacey O'Neale 

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads

Stacey O'Neale lives in Annapolis, Maryland. When she's not writing, she spends her time fangirling over books, blogging, watching fantasy television shows, cheering for the Baltimore Ravens, and hanging out with her husband and daughter. Her career in publishing started as a blogger-turned-publicist for two successful small publishers. Stacey writes young adult paranormal romance and adult science fiction romance. Her books always include swoon-worthy heroes, snarky heroines, and lots of kissing. Stacey loves hearing from readers. Follow her on Twitter @StaceyONeale, look for her on Facebook, Pinterest, and GoodReads. You can also visit her blog at http://staceyoneale.com/.

*****

My Thoughts:

Series finales are always one of my favorite and least favorite reviews to post, at the same time. How can that be? While I'm so overjoyed to rave about an incredible finale (they are too few and far between), I hate juggling the bittersweet emotion of finality meaning I'm saying goodbye to another cast of characters that I've grown to love. I won't lie folks, as many series as I've read, this one will forever be a special one to me. The love and hard work that author Stacey O'Neale has poured into this series over the last two years is unquestionable. While I dreaded the final chapters, how did Eternal Sacrifice finish up? After three wildly successful stories, did O'Neale end the series on a great note?

Absolutely. Prepare for the feels, readers. Tissues are a must.

When it comes to the plot of this one, I have quite a bit to say, however I have to restrain myself here for two huge reasons that happen to be my only critiques of the novel. First, this one is super short. Way shorted than most finales I have read, however there is a plus side to this I'll get to in a bit. Second, the pacing of this novel is extremely quick. There is little-to-no downtime so if you aren't careful, you will miss something. So, sharing plot details is a little tricky. What I can tell you is that Eternal Sacrifice is probably one of the most unique novels I have ever read in one specific aspect: it's only the 'good parts'. Does that make sense?

Imagine reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows without the 350 page camping trip and only a book full of 'The Battle of Hogwarts'. That my friends, is Eternal Sacrifice. It's short, but that's because O'Neale ensures her readers are fully satisfied. There isn't anything standing in the way of Kalin, Rowan, and the Avalonian forces of good to finally put an end to Valac and his reign of terror. With knowledge and hope on their sides, our heroes must stop Valac at any and all costs. Every breathe is precious and the battles fought in this finale will determine the fates of both their world, and ours, forever.

The costs will bring you to tears. Over. And over.

With any great series finale, some characters must make the ultimate sacrifice for peace and safety for the ones they love. This novel is no exception. Again, I'm going to refrain from spoilers, but don't worry, O'Neale definitely teaches the reader to read on the very edge of their seat and always to expect the unexpected. With plot twist after plot twist, I was shaking with anticipation by the novel's final chapters.

In a unique twist, O'Neale introduces one major character in the finale to the story, however anyone who has followed the series closely may not be that surprised by their appearance. What I can definitely say about the characters in this one is that Stacey really changes the game, right from the very beginning. We see several characters in an entirely new light, casting doubt over any preconceived notions the reader may have. I loved the idea of waiting until the end to reveal the true dedication behind the actions of some characters in this series. On that same note, seeing into the psyche of some characters on a much more personal level really opens the reader's eyes to the 'full' story behind O'Neale's literary universe.

Speaking a bit more on the characters, this one take three different POVs into consideration and crafts them in the most delicate of ways. Kalin, Rowan, and Marcus all play pivotal roles in the finale, but for entirely different reasons. They each have their own trials to face before the final battle to save Avalon. Thankfully, O'Neale really satisfied me with her ability to craft such individual storylines within such a fast-paced story. Interweaving the three storylines within such a powerful conclusion is a true testament to the literary landmark that is Stacey O'Neale.

Love, forgiveness, sacrifice, brotherhood, family, responsibility: I could go on and on with the plethora of themes O'Neale has implemented within Eternal Sacrifice. Each is fully explored and written to perfection. I'm not even lying when I say this story brought me to literal tears on at least three occasions.

As a series finale, I was greatly impressed. While my thoughts and predictions did not come true, I was still genuinely pleased with the end result. It was an ending that 'made sense' for the series, even if it wasn't particularly the one I was most looking for. That being said, the series ends rather abruptly and doesn't exactly tie up every possible loose end (as it shouldn't), leaving the door open for potential novellas or spin-offs in the future. I know this reader would love more insight to this world and the future of these characters. It is my belief that all readers of this series will be greatly impressed by the honorable finale O'Neale has crafted, sending off her series with respect and memorable flair!

As if it isn't already obvious by the amount of raving I have done for this series over the past two years, I am absolutely enamored of Stacey O'Neale's Mortal Enchantment series. I absolutely cannot get enough of this incredible story, the unforgettable cast, and the truly deep emotions found within the pages of these four stories. While I may have had a few issues with the finale, I still was beyond thrilled with the end result as a whole. That being said, it is my honor to be granting Eternal Sacrifice a near-perfect 5-star review. I highly recommend this series to any fans of YA, paranornal. elemental fiction, romance, or adventure novels. You will not regret this read! 

*****

Also by Stacey O'Neale

*Click each cover to see my review*

      

The Shadow Prince is FREE click below for your copy!

      

$100 GIFT CARD GIVEAWAY FROM STACEY O'NEALE

CLICK HERE

Alright readers, that's all I have for you today on the topic of Eternal Sacrifice by the incredible Stacey O'Neale. As I said in the beginning, this is an incredible bittersweet moment for me as I've followed this series since the very beginning and consider myself one of its' biggest fans. I don't have words enough to describe how much this entire series has meant to me. Way to end it with a bang Stacey O'Neale! Be sure to add this series to your TBR today. Special thank to the author for allowing me to participate in this blog tour and for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Until next time, Happy Reading!

-Ethan

Breathless (Heartless #3) by Kelly Martin Blog Tour (Excerpt + Review)

Title: Breathless (Heartless, Book Three)
Author: Kelly Martin
Genre: YA Paranormal
Hosted by: Lady Amber’s PR

There's good.

There's evil.

Then there's her.

When Gracen Sullivan stabbed Hart Blackwell, she thought it was over. She thought the world was safe-- safe from her. Stuck in the Abyss, watching as the evil inside her body takes over, she has to find some way to stop it.

Hart Blackwell expected to wake up in Hell. Instead, he woke up in his grave. With the world falling apart, he has to put the bad history with his brother in the past or there will be no future.

Armageddon has been set in motion. Enemies will have to work together or everything will end in fire and brimstone.

The Abomination is here. And she must be stopped no matter the consequences.

Buy Links:
#Free with #KindleUnlimited Heartless (Book One): http://amzn.to/1P8YzVI
Soulless (Book Two): http://amzn.to/1Uu1ijs
Breathless (Book Three): http://amzn.to/1Upr3Rd
Hart (Book Four): http://amzn.to/1V5TRvo

Kelly Martin writes paranormal, contemporary, historical, and YA fiction. She has been married for over ten years and has three rowdy, angelic daughters. When she's not writing, she loves taking picture of abandoned houses, watching horror gamers on YouTube-- even though she's a huge wimp-- and drinking decaf white chocolate mochas. She's a total fangirl, loves the 80s and 90s, and has a sad addiction to paranormal TV shows. {Basically, she likes creepy stuff.} Her favorite characters are the very flawed 'good guys'-- and 'bad guys' who don't know they are evil. She loves giving her readers books with unexpected twists and turns, but (here's a hint) most of her books have the ending spelled out in the first chapter. See if you can figure it out. If you ever have a question or comment, feel free to email her at kellymartin215 @ yahoo . com ♥ You can follow her writing adventure at www.kellymartinbooks.com.

Author Links: 

Instagram: https://instagram.com/kellymartin215/
My "nerd" group on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1451773008377850/
Kelly's Heartbreakers (my official street team): https://www.facebook.com/groups/922087044551273/
Newsletter: http://kellymartinbooks.blogspot.com/p/subscribe-to- our-newsletter.html
Blog: www.kellymartinbooks.blogspot.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBSQGJ5gViQ- 0ajHRvWUqaA
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1RiFqC4
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KellyMartinAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/martieKay
tumblr: martiekay.tumblr.com
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/KMBooks

Hart:

"Lucien! Slow down! Wait for me!" The sounds all around us drown out my words. I can barely hear them, and I'm right there with me. I'm sure Lucien doesn't hear. I can't even see him anymore.

What I do see, through the wind whipping my hair in my eyes and squinting through the rain, is a dim light in the distance. I don't know if it’s a house or a barn or a serial killer's cabin. I don't know. I don't care. All I know is that I see it, and I want to be there. It has to be warmer and drier than out here in the middle of the woods.
Out here where any bear or wolf or fox could pounce on us and rip us to shreds.
Though I haven't heard any animal since we started into the woods.
I'm sure that's totally a great sign.

Could this get any worse?

A hand grasps my shoulder and pulls me back.

I’m pinned down on the ground before I can fully comprehend what’s going on. I can’t see what’s holding me down, but I know it can’t be my brother. I claw at its face to try to get up, but my hands are pinned down over my head, and I can’t make my legs move.
I’m trapped.

The lightning fills the sky.
For a split second, I can see.
For a split second, I wish I couldn’t.

*****

My Thoughts:

"Hope is a dangerous thing. The most dangerous thing on the planet. Hope kills more dreams than anything. Hope, if we aren't very careful, will kill the world." 

As I type this review, I just set my Nook down after finishing Breathless. My thoughts are wow. A lot to handle right now. I've caught all the feels. All. The. Feels. As you guys will well-remember, I just recently discovered Kelly Martin with this series earlier this year and it absolutely blew my mind. This series and I found one another at the perfect time in my life and for that I have been extremely grateful. For three full novels now, I have had my bookish world turned upside down. I can;t even begin to describe the emotional journey this series has led me on. After so many incredible novels, could Breathless live up to its' predecessors?

Yes. Oh hell yes. 

Readers of Heartless and Soulless will be extremely happy to know that Breathless is very much in the same vein. In fact, all of these stories could just be called episodes to one huge story as they are all very much dependent upon one another. Picking up shortly after Soulless left off, Breathless may be Martin's most spellbinding adventure to date!

When it comes to the plot of Breathless, be ready for an adventure. Literally. Through time and realms, Gracen is on a mission to stop the Abomination and save the world from its' bitter end. With the pieces of the machine already in motion, it's going to take the combined efforts of human, angel, and demon to save the world, but even that may not be enough.

This is a relatively short read so I really have to be careful of what I say to avoid any plot spoilers, but I can definitely tell you without hesitation that if you were a fan of books one and two, you will love book three. It's incredible to say the least. I will warn you though, it ends on Martin's most emotional cliffhanger yet. Bring the tissues folks. You've been warned.

Thankfully, Martin has already established all the groundwork in this world so there were no new characters to meet in Breathless. As a result, we really get some incredible insight to our existing characters and their stories. The character building was absolutely incredible and one of the most unique I have seen. Breathless is told from FOUR different character's POV. Yes, four. Don't worry, each narrative is necessary and doesn't repeat from the plot at all. In fact, I could have used a fifth at times!

One thing I really didn't expect out of this novel was the deep religious roots it shared at times. I've read several novels as of late with religious undertones, but this one is probably the one who has done it the best. Martin has delivered an incredible tale full of spirit without drowning her readers in scripture or history. She took her own unique twist on the scriptural tale and crafted a story that readers of all faiths and walks of life can enjoy.

Martin really hits home with some incredibly hard hitting themes in Brethless.  It's an extremely deep read that really resonated with me for many reasons. If you can read this series without catching all the feels, you've done something wrong. With reflections on topics such as: faith, family, love, forgiveness, acceptance, fate, destiny, and so many more, Martin opened the floodgates of emotion and really let them roar. It was a beautiful adventure in reading. 

As you guys can clearly see, I was a huge fan of Breathless. As far as the series goes, I'm going to be keeping a very close eye on Martin in the future and cannot wait until Reckless (book four) is released this fall. In the meantime, Martin has already released Hart, a novella chronicling the human life of Jessup Hart Blackwell, the male MC in the series. I'll be devouring it soon!

All-in-all, it should come as absolutely no surprise that I am granting Breathess by Kelly Martin a near-perfect 5-star review. I seriously couldn't rave any more if I tried. I can absolutely tell you that I'll be closely following this series until the very end.  A truly unique read, Martin ignites a flame with her elegant words, captivating settings, and enough psychological insight to keep even the most hesitant of readers satisfied. Don't miss your chance to add this one to your TBR today.

*****

There you have it, my stop on the blog tour for Breathless by the incredible Kelly Martin! You guys know how much I love this series so I can't tell you to go one-click fast enough! Go, go now! Thanks so much for stopping by and a huge thanks to the author and Lady Amber's PR for allowing me to participate. Until next time, Happy Reading!

-Ethan

The Color of Us (College Bound #2) by Laura Ward and Christine Manzari

Hey Readers! Ethan here with the first of several reviews I'll be sharing today. Best part about sharing this one first is that it's also RELEASE DAY! Woohoo! I am so excited to be sharing my thoughts on a NA novel that blew me away. This time on the chopping block? The Color of Us, the second installment in the College Bound series by Laura Ward and Christine Manzari. Before we get to my thoughts, here's a bit about the novel and our authors:

Title: The Color of Us (College Bound #2)
Authors: Laura Ward & Christine Manzari
Release Date: June 20, 2016

Eighteen year old Alexis Sinclair is lost in the darkness of grief. Since the death of her sister in a car accident, she can’t find the will to get out and enjoy life again. When she’s forced to face her biggest fear and take a summer Driver’s Ed course, she’s surprised to find hope in the most unlikely person.

Liam O’Connell is trouble. He isn’t proud of his dark past, and he knows Alexis is the one girl he has no business pursuing. Doing the right thing has never been easy for him, but this time, it just might be impossible.

The perfect girl and troubled boy are all wrong for each other, but as Liam helps Alexis cope with her grief, they realize nothing has ever felt more right.

That is, until Alexis uncovers a secret about Liam that breaks her heart.

Liam knows he can’t allow the one good thing in his life to walk away without a fight, and he’s determined to convince Alexis they can find their way out of the darkness together.

Can he prove he’s worthy of her, or is some love too tainted to be saved?

     

About the Authors:

Laura Ward

Laura Ward lives in Maryland with her loud and very loving three children and husband. She married her college sweetheart and is endlessly grateful for the support he has given her through all their years together, and especially toward her goal of writing books. When not changing diapers, driving to lacrosse practice, or checking spelling homework, Laura is writing or reading romance novels.  

Find Laura Ward

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS

Christine Manzari

The first thing Christine does when she's getting ready to read a book is to crack the spine in at least five places. She wholeheartedly believes there is no place as comfy as the pages of a well-worn book. She's addicted to buying books, reading books, and writing books. Books, books, books. She also has a weakness for adventure, inappropriate humor, and coke (the caffeine-laden bubbly kind). Christine is from Forest Hill, Maryland where she lives with her husband, three kids, and her library of ugly spine books.  
Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads 

***

My Thoughts:

Last summer, I discovered that two of my favorite NA authors were teaming up to co-write a new NA series that was sure to impress. I anxiously awaited The Pledge and absolutely devoured it. While I had a few issues with their collaborative debut, I knew I saw a spark in this series that would only grow brighter with each passing chapter. By the end of book one, I was confident they had found their stride and was pumped about book two. Knowing the readers would get an incredible novel made this long wait almost unbearable.

I am so excited to say that the wait was well worth it. In fact, The Color of Us may have just become one of my favorite novels of the year! 

I will admit that much like The Pledge, it took me a few chapters to really get into the story on this one. Thankfully, it didn't take too long though before I was absolutely immersed in the story Ward and Manzari had crafted. It's their best collaborative work yet! 

I'll talk about this more a little later, but people. Be prepared for feels. I'll tell you, the plot for The Color of Us is an emotional roller coaster if I've ever seen one. You'll go from mad to happy to excruciating emotional pain over the span of this novel. The plot is so intimate and the settings and situations are so real, you can almost reach out and comfort the characters yourself in their time of need. It's truly an eye-opening novel and while I won't spoil any of the plot for anyone, I really didn't see most of it coming. I was a little iffy about one particular aspect of this story, but in the end I think it really helped pull the story together in the best of ways. Ward and Manzari make use of time jumps. The story isn't chronologically set in one time period, but rather jumps months or years into the future. It was very easy to follow, but I will admit there were times I would have like to see more in one time frame before jumping to the next. For a variety of reasons, this literary device worked extremely well in TCoU compared to other stories in which I have seen it attempted. My biggest input I can give on the plot of this one is to not give up, and certainly expect the unexpected. I won't say there are huge plot twists left and right, but there were several points in the story where I was genuinely surprised (and overtaken with emotion) with what I had read. It's truly a work of collaborative literary genius, 

When it comes to the characters in this one, I don't even know where to start. Both Liam and Alexis are written to perfection, but I have to be perfectly honest and say that Liam really stole the show for me in this one. Alexis was extremely well-written and we see some great scenes and quotes from her, but Liam's story really hit hard for this reader. It may just be me relating to the male character by default, but I found Liam's struggles to be so real and fitting to the story that I ended TCoU with massive amounts of respect for his trials. While the NA genre is really known for it's college-age character and campus settings, I really appreciated the path the authors took with Liam's character choosing an alternate path in life. It's important for young readers to realize that college is not the only path in life. I was extremely pleased by the authors presentation of Liam. The relationship that Alexis and Liam build is truly an unconventional one, but Ward and Manzari definitely did an incredible job crafting a respectable relationship and not falling to the trends of insta-love. The secondary characters in the story are numerous, but each play an important role in the story and build up the emotional plot that I fell in love with. 

While this novel is the second in a series, it has very little to do with The Pledge and each novel can be read as a standalone. I definitely recommend reading book one as well, but rest assured you won't be missing out on any part of the plot by starting with book two. 

In true Ward-Manzari fashion, you probably won't make it to the epilogue without drowning in feels. I know I sure couldn't. Right from the very first chapter we see the signs that TCoU is about to hit on some extremely hard hitting themes. Themes of maturity and forgiveness are huge in this story. Definitely themes that are very important to all New Adults. Other hard hitting themes include death, family, love, and overcoming uncertainty. It's truly a testament to the writing styles of Ward and Manzari that they can relate so fully to the trials of the NA generation. It's so refreshing to read an NA about true NAs. Honestly. Major kudos to them.   

As you guys can clearly see, I was a huge fan in the second installment of the College Bound series by Ward and Manzari. It impressed me beyond my wildest dreams and I am so glad to have gotten to read it. I can definitely say that I am more than excited about the future of this series. With the combined genius that is the Ward-Manzari team, I know this series will get better with each passing installment! That being said, it should come as no surprise that I am granting The Color of Us a near-perfect 5-star review. I highly recommend this read to all lovers of New Adult and romance series. Don't miss out on this read! 

**This can be read a a standalone**

***

Alright folks, there you have it. My thoughts on The Color of Us by Laura Ward and Christine Manzari. It's an absolutely incredible novel that I can't wait to devour again. Be sure to check this one out. Don't miss out on the release day sale 6/20 ONLY! Thanks for stopping by and until next time, Happy Reading!

-Ethan

Heroes of Arcania: SuperNova (HoA #1) by Liz Long Review

Hey readers! Ethan here on this very special Thursday with a review for you all. Today is the release day for the first novel in an incredible new series that's set to take Summer 2016 by storm. The latest release from one of my all time favorite authors. I'm so pumped to share my thoughts. On the chopping block today? Heroes of Arcania: SuperNova by Liz Long! Before we get to my thoughts, here's a bit about the novel and out author:

The streets of Arcania are overrun with crime, deteriorating as a madman named Fortune makes himself at home. He shows no mercy, striking down anyone in his path – including Nova Benson’s little sister. Devastated, Nova vows to seek justice for her family, but aside from her freak strength and impenetrable skin, how is she supposed to stop a monster like Fortune?

Cole Warner wants to help people. Entrusted to keep his family’s secret, he’s also frustrated at having to hide his gift. He knows he could do more to help in the fight against Fortune. If he could convince his sister Penelope to join him, they might even have a chance at beating him. When Cole meets Nova, he realizes his whole world is about to change. And he’s going to welcome it with open arms.

Falling for each other wasn’t part of the plan.

Then again, neither was becoming a superhero.

     

About the Author:

Liz Long is a ridiculously proud graduate of Longwood University with a BA in English. Her inspiration comes from action and thriller genres and she spends entirely too much time watching superhero movies. Her fabulous day job as a social media editor includes writing for a publishing company in Roanoke, VA.

Her first book, Gifted, is the first book in the Donovan Circus series, where superpowers meets the circus. Burned is the second adventure. Her standalone book Witch Hearts, is a story about a serial killer hunting witches for their powers. Her newest book A Reaper Made is an NA Paranormal tale of a Reaper using magic to save her family from demons. All titles are available at Amazon on Kindle and paperback, Barnes & Noble for Nook, and iBooks.

Find Liz Online

Website  I  Facebook  I  Twitter  I  Amazon Author Page

*****

My Thoughts:

With all the negatives we see in our world on a day to day basis, we're in desperate need of heroes. Be them on the big screen, in our books, or in real life, fighting crime to keep us safe, heroes are always needed in our world. I'm a huge superhero fan. I read comics, I've seen all the films, but I've never actually read about any in novel format. I've always been on the side of 'this medium works better visually than mentally'. As much as I love the works of Liz Long, I'll be honest and admit my hesitation in picking up HoA: SuperNova.

Thankfully with Long at the helm, I knew I would get a quality story. And did I ever!

In true superhero fashion, it takes an event to turn a 'super' into a 'hero'. Heroes aren't born, they're created. Sure Nova Benson has always had the Gift of super strength and impenetrable skin, but until her life is stopped in its' tracks, its never been more than a second thought to her. When Fortune arrives in her hometown of Arcania looking for nothing but trouble, Nova's life is forever changed after the death of her kid sister. With a broken heart and full of rage, Nova sets out for revenge. Vowing to stop Fortune before others suffer as she did. Along the way she discovers she may not be the only one hiding gifts. An entire new world opens for Nova, but will her new friends and their combined gifts be enough to stop Fortune and liberate Arcania from his clutches?

Sounds awesome, right? Where are the film rights?

While Liz has already created her entire Gifted universe with the Donovan Circus. She build on that world in some incredible ways with this new series. Fans of Long will recognize the Gifted terminology, while new readers will be excited to learn all about the world that Long has created. Sure our heroes have incredible gifts, but what's the best part about them? They're teenagers! High school-aged, curfew breaking, real-life teenagers! It's so refreshing as a reader to see YA characters actually acting YA age appropriate. Nova, Cole, and Penelope (our heroes) all face real-life challengers in their day-to-day lives and still fight crime by night. It's a testament to the writing talent of Liz Long that she can craft such a creative story, but still make it as realistic as she does. YA readers will strongly relate to these characters and will feel their pain as they journey through their story. 

The series has a rather large cast of characters so make sure you're paying attention. In the end, everyone has an important role to play, will you catch on? I also applaud Long for the vast diversity of her characters. We see various age groups, genders, races, ethnicities in this series and that's something to be proud of! Kudos to you Liz Long!

As any good YA series should, SuperNova is full of some extremely hard hitting themes that will leave the reader with a lot to reflect upon. Themes of love, family, loss, responsibility, good vs evil, and judgement are all present in this series. It's really an incredible story that will leave you with that satisfied feeling down in your bookish heart. And it only gets better with each installment!  

SuperNova ends on quite the cliffhanger that will leave readers begging for book two. Thankfully, we won't have to wait long as Long is rapid releasing the entire series this summer to make sure all her readers are satisfied! I know this series will be one that's discussed for many years to come. It's got everything you'd look for in a superhero series: heroes that slay, villains that are truly evil, and even a touch of that YA romance that readers love! Seriously folks, this series is off to an incredible start and it's only going to get better from here.

The perfect series for readers of all genres, HoA: SuperNova is sure to please. While the general tone is definitely YA, it is safe enough for younger readers while being satisfying to older readers of any age. Only mild language, no gore, and no sexual content, but there's all kind of action-packed awesome within these pages, plus some instances of teenagers being teenagers! 

As you can see, I was clearly a huge fan of Heroes of Arcania: SuperNova and I am so glad I have the opportunity to share these thoughts with you all. I am so excited to be granting HoA: SuperNova a well-deserved, near-perfect 5-star review. I highly recommend this series to all fans of sci-fi, paranormal, or superheros. Add this series to your TBR today!

*****

Alright readers, that's all I have for you today on the topic of Heroes of Arcania: SuperNova. This was just the first in an incredible that's being rapid released this summer so definitely be on the lookout for more info about the rest of the series. I've already read books two and three and can promise you that you're going to love them even more! Be sure to add this one to your TBR today. Thanks so much for stopping by. Until next time, Happy Reading! 

-Ethan

Rite of Redemption (Acceptance Series #3) by Sarah Negovetich Blog Tour (Review + Giveaway)

Hey Readers! Ethan here with an exciting post for you today. As many of you know, I have worked closely with this author and her Acceptance series for a couple of years now. I am so honored to be on the blog tour today (release day) to celebrate the release of the final novel in the series. It's been an awesome journey and I'm so blessed to have been a part of it. Today's post features my review as well as an awesome giveaway. Here's a bit about the novel and our author before we get to my thoughts:

Rebecca escaped the PIT, found a family among the Freemen...and watched too many loved ones die. All she wants is the Cardinal to leave her in peace, but he's made it clear that's never going to happen.

When the Cardinal attacks other Freemen villages, she finally understands that no one is safe from his wrath. As the only one who's stood up to the evil that is the Cardinal, it's up to her to convince the others that they can't hide forever. It's time to fight.

The Machine predicted Rebecca would become the Cardinal's enemy. It may have gotten that one right.

In the conclusion to the Acceptance series, enemies become allies and old friends emerge, but in the end, sacrifice may be the price of freedom.

     

Sarah Negovetich

Sarah Negovetich knows you don't know how to pronounce her name and she's okay with that.

Her first love is Young Adult novels, because at seventeen the world is your oyster. Only oysters are slimy and more than a little salty; it's accurate if not exactly motivational. We should come up with a better cliché.

Sarah divides her time between writing YA books that her husband won’t read and working with amazing authors as an agent at Corvisiero Literary Agency. Her life’s goal is to be only a mildly embarrassing mom when her kids hit their teens.

FIND SARAH NEGOVETICH

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS | WEBSITE

*****

My Thoughts:

Ladies and Gentlemen. Let me tell you guys a story of a series that's taught me a lot about the book world. A series that came out of the gate strong to a market that said 'dystopian is dead'. A market that said this little novel wouldn't find an audience of its' own and would fall into obscurity. In just shy of two years, this one series showed those naysayers what one powerful addition to the genre can do. Taught me that no genre is dead so long as there are dedicated readers to devour it. I give you Sarah Negovetich's acclaimed Acceptance series, friends.

Coming off the tails of the first two highly-acclaimed novels in this series, Rite of Rejection and Rite of Revelation, could Rite of Redemption live up to the high expectations?

It sure does. And then some!

The end of a series is always bittersweet. From the very first opening sentences I find myself bracing for the emotional wreckage we'll face at the end, never knowing who or what will make it through the final chapters. I always am leery when it comes to reading a series finale, but I could never not read one. I'll just go ahead and throw this out there: Rite of Redemption was one of the most satisfying series finales I have read to-date.

I won't say much about the plot to avoid spoilers, but even though Negovetich has spent three novels building up to the climactic ending to the Acceptance series, she definitely held on to the best plot twists until the very end. We learn more about our favorite characters than ever before and definitely learn to embrace the unexpected as all the stops are pulled out in this epic finale. You won't want to take your eyes away for one minute, this fact-moving plot will hook you from the beginning and won't let go. Just when you think you've got it figured out again, another plot twist leave you gaping! I will say that I was very satisfied with the way Negovetich was able to wrap up most all of her plot lines in a very neat way, not leaving the reader feeling unsatisfied in any way.

That being said, one has to take into consideration the extremely dark tone and themes of which Negovetich has embraced throughout this series. While we could all hope for the happily ever after, any true fan knows that that happiness isn't going to come without high cost. This series finale is such a raw and truthful look a a dystopian future that at times, it's difficult to read. More than one scene had me near-screaming at my Nook in 'WHY!?'. It's truly a powerful ending to the series and Negovetich really shines with her writing.

I think one of the most powerful notes I can make about the Acceptance series is that looking back on the series as a whole, I don't really see the lines where one book or plot line ends and another begins. For a debut series, Negovetich did an absolutely incredible job right from the start with laying out her series and characters. Rather than telling three detailed-oriented stories, Negovetich tells one singular story with some side-stories to boot. It's an incredible series full of gripping emotion, edge-of-your-seat suspense and action, and just enough young adult reflection and romance to keep the reader more than satisfied. It's truly the testament of a talent such as Negovetich to evoke such strong emotions in a debut series. Massive kudos to you Mrs. Negovetich.

As you can clearly see, I was in love with Rite of Redemption from the very beginning. Sure there are aspects of the plot that weren't exactly what I was expecting and characters that didn't quite make it to the end, but all-in-all I was absolutely blown away by each novel in this incredible series. I cannot wait to see what the future hold for the career of Sarah Negovetich. As she says herself "before you stands the future". This all being said, I am so excited to be granting Rite of Redemption a near-perfect 5-star review. Any readers of dystopian, YA, or sci-fi will want to add this series to your TBR immediately. You will not regret this read!

*****

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Alright readers, that's all I have for you on the topic of Rite of Redemption by Sarah Negovetich. It was an incredible end to a series that will forever hold a special place in my bookish heart. While i hate to see it go, I am so glad it got the rockstar ending it deserved. Huge thanks to Sarah for allowing me to be a part of the tour and release. Until next time, Happy Reading!

-Ethan