Blog Tour: Seeker by Veronica Rossi

 

Hello there! Welcome to my stop in the blog tour for SEEKER by Veronica Rossi. I'm really excited to be part of the tour, hosted for the awesome Jean BookNerd. For more info and the tour schedule make sure to go HERE.

 

THE BOOK

 

Praise for SEEKER

"The feeling of imminent danger and the constant battles with terrifying creatures help bring this vivid story to life. However, the depth of characterization is what will make readers connect to this small group of teens on a mission to save humanity. Gideon and Daryn display a powerful chemistry from their very first meeting, while the personality conflicts between Gideon and his fellow horsemen keep this adventure both intense and humorous."―RT Book Reviews, Top Pick!

 

Series: Riders #2

Publisher: Tor Teen

Buying links: Amazon/ B&N/ TBD

Add to Goodreads

Summary:

 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Veronica Rossi's new fantasy adventure in the Rider series—Seeker .

When Daryn claimed she was seeing visions during her sophomore year of high school, no one believed the truth. She wasn't losing her mind, she was gaining the Sight the ability to see the future. If she just paid attention to the visions, they'd provide her with clues and show her how she could help people. Really help them. Daryn embraced her role as a Seeker. The work she did was important. She saved lives.

Until Sebastian.

Sebastian was her first and worst mistake.

Since the moment she inadvertently sealed him in a dark dimension with Samrael the last surviving demon in the Kindred guilt has plagued her. Daryn knows Sebastian is alive and waiting for help. It's up to her to rescue him. But now that she needs the Sight more than ever to guide her, the visions have stopped.

Daryn must rely on her instincts, her intelligence, and on blind faith to lead the riders who are counting on her in search of Sebastian. As they delve into a shadowy realm where nothing is as it seems and where Samrael is steadily amassing power, Daryn faces the ultimate test. Will she have to become evil to destroy evil? The very fate of humankind rests in the answer.

 

My Thoughts.

I read Riders, the first book in this series (duology, maybe?) as soon as it came out last year. I didn't remember much of what happened in that first adventure, but Seeker takes place about eight months after the events in the ending of Riders and that helped.
For starters, Veronica Rossi did a great job bringing us back to this world with bits of information about those past months and Daryn deciding to fight to get Bas back. 

While I felt Riders was a little slow, Seeker is an action packed and fast paced story. Sometimes it was creepy and sad and sometimes it was funny and light. Rossi balanced this amazingly, creating the perfect atmosphere for her characters' interactions. 
I don't remember feeling this way with the first book, but Seeker reminded me a little of the Soul Screamers series by Rachel Vincent. The demon's dimension was creepy and lividly described, like that in the SS series.

I also loved the romance between Gideon and Daryn, after everything I wasn't sure I really shipped them, but these two are adorable and it made my heart happy to see them together. And just to say it, I LOVE a good romance with no love triangle!

I'm being really vague with this review, because I'm one of those people who love discovering everything while reading the book. But if there's something I can tell you is that Seeker is an emotional roller coaster with amazing characters, unforgettable friendships, amazing action packed scenes, creepy demons and a very neat and fast paced writing. 
If you're a fan of the Under the Never Sky series (like me!) I'm sure you'll enjoy this one. And since I've heard many people disliked Gideon's POV in the first book, this one has way more Daryn's. 

THE AUTHOR

 Veronica Rossi is a best selling author of fiction for young adults. Her debut novel, UNDER THE NEVER SKY, was the first in a post-apocalyptic trilogy. Released in January 2012, it was deemed one of the Best Books of Year by School Library Journal. The series appeared in the NY Times and USA Today best seller lists and was published in over 25 foreign markets.

Her second series for young adults will begin with RIDERS (published February 16, 2016), the story of four modern day teens who become incarnations of the four horsemen of the apocalypse, and the prophetic girl who brings them together.
Veronica completed her undergraduate studies at UCLA and then went on to study fine art at the California College of the Arts in San Francisco. She is a lifelong reader and artist. Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, she has lived in Mexico, Venezuela, and all over the United States, to finally settle in Northern California with her husband and two sons.
When not writing, Veronica enjoys reading (it’s worth repeating), painting, and running. She does NOT like anything involving numbers, the addition of them, subtraction of them, you name it. They terrify her. Her obsessions generally lead to fictional works. Currently, she’s exploring New York City during the Revolutionary War.
Don’t tread on me. (If you know what that means, then you are my people!)
What else? This is getting more fun, isn’t it?
She–okay, I–am a huge fan of the SF Giants and the Golden State Warriors. I know, I know. Book types and sporty types shouldn’t be one in the same, but what can I say? I’m breaking the mold. Continuing. I have an irrational love of elephants. They make me cry, but it’s the best kind of cry. On other end of the spectrum, I abhor the shrill squeak styrofoam makes when it’s coming out of a box. Just typing that sentence made me want to scream. Needless to say, Christmas is great, but also really tough on me.
It’s probably time to wrap this up. If you’re here, it’s likely because you’ve read one of my books, or because you’re thinking about reading one of my books. Either way, thank you. Writing fulfills me like nothing else and I feel exceedingly fortunate to also call it my profession.

You can find her: Website/ Twitter/ Goodreads/ Facebook/ Instagram
Photo Content Taken from Veronica Rossi

GIVEAWAY

--Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter

10 Winners will receive a Copy of SEEKERS and Swag (Glow in the Dark Bracelet and Stickers) by Veronica Rossi

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SPURT by Chris Miles Official Blog Tour

 

Hello there! I'm realy glad to be participating in the Book Blast for Spurt by Chris Miles. Check out bellow for an amazing excerpt and don't forget to enter the giveaway. 

This blast is hosted by Jean Book Nerd, check out the official site so you won't miss all the fun!

The Book

 

Buy on Amazon/ B&N

Synopsis.

Balls and all!

Jack Sprigley isn’t just a late-bloomer. He’s a no bloomer: an eighth grader, and puberty is still a total no-show. Worse yet, he hasn’t heard from his friends all winter vacation. He assumes they’ve finally dumped him and his child-like body—until he finds out it’s much worse than that. His friends are now so far ahead of him that they’ve started dating. Jack is out of luck. But then he comes up with a plan to catch up and win his friends back. And his plan is perfect: he just has to fake puberty.

THE EXCERPT

(From pages 88 – 90)

As his mom poured herself another glass of wine, Jack brought up a browser window, swiveled the laptop slightly to the side, and typed Bigwigs past contestants.Each new link he clicked on flashed up images of photo shoots and articles and magazine covers, some showing faces he only dimly remembered. YouTube uploads of Piers Blain’s Byteface video blogs. Hope Chanders and the infamous anarchist symbol belly-button ring that had made her lose her recording contract with EMG/Platinum. Then there was Cassie Tau’s Facebook addiction. And Mickey Santini’s slightly too-choreographed wardrobe malfunction at the Teen Music Awards. And Amit Gondra’s blossoming romance with sixteen-year-old Youth Olympics swimming hopeful Jessica Grouth. And there were others: Contestants who’d become celebrity spokespeople and youth ambassadors and music video hosts and regular talk-show guests.And then there was Jack. The only one, it seemed, who’d stayed where he was. Who’d stayed normal. Stayed the same.As much as he wanted to yank himself free from the quicksand of loserdom he’d fallen into at school, this was one lifeline he didn’t dare grasp. He was afraid that if he tried to use the Bigwigs reunion to rescue his reputation, he’d only sink further into a humiliation of national proportions. Because all the producers had to do was show one clip of Jack from when he’d been a contestant on the show, and the whole country would see that he looked and sounded the same as he did in sixth grade: fresh-faced and freckled, like a woodland creature in an old Disney cartoon.The forums would melt down with hysterical disbelief. “Did you see that Jack Sprigley kid? What a goddamn munchkin!” “I know! I heard he pretends to masturbate at school or something?”And it wouldn’t just be the Bigwigs forums. The show was coming back bigger than ever. There’d be current affairs specials and newspaper columns and blogs and hashtags and comment threads all weighing in on his failure to pube it up.The fact was, even among the former Bigwigs who’d had brushes with the dark side of semifame, nothing anyone else had done was anywhere near as embarrassing as the things Jack’s body had failed to do since sixth grade. So unless he was miraculously blessed with a pube-tacular growth spurt in the next week—when the Bigwigs people were expecting Jack’s answer—he might be signing himself up for an online mauling as well as a schoolyard one.The low-battery warning flashed up on the laptop screen. The short, stubby bar showing the currently available power was completely dwarfed by the long, forbidding tube representing a full charge.Yeah, thought Jack. That about sums it up.

The Author

Chris Miles has written several books for young readers in Australia. His short fiction and other writings have appeared in publications throughout Australia. He works as a website designer and developer, and in his spare time he indulges his love of Doctor Who, LEGO®, Dungeons & Dragons, and anchovies. He is a dog person (though not literally).

You can find him: Website/ Goodreads/ Facebook/ 

Giveaway

 

Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter

- - 5 Winners will receive a Copy of Spurt by Chris Miles

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The Library Book 1: CURSE OF THE BOGGIN by D.J. MacHale Official Blog Tour

Hello there! Welcome to my stop in the blog tour for The Library Book 1: Curse Of The Boggin by D.J. MacHale. This tour is hosted by Jean Book Nerd, to check out the next spots in the tour, don't forget to go HERE.

This book sounds like all kind of fun! Check the info below and don't forget to enter the awesome giveaway!

THE BOOK

 

Hardcover
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers
Sep 06, 2016 | 256 Pages | 5-1/2 x 8-1/4 |
Middle Grade (8-12)

ISBN 9781101932537

Order it: Amazon/ TBD/ B&N

Summary:

Enter the Library, where no one knows how the stories end . . . and finding out will be terrifying.

There’s a place beyond this world, beyond the land of the living, where ghosts go to write their unfinished stories—stories that ended too soon. It’s a place for unexplained phenomena: mysteries that have never been solved, spirits that have never been laid to rest. And there’s only one way in or out.

It’s called the Library, and you can get there with a special key. But beware! Don’t start a story you can’t finish. Because in thislibrary, the stories you can’t finish just might finish you.

Marcus O’Mara is a 13 year old guy at a crossroads. He constantly finds himself in trouble at school, with his friends, and with his adoptive parents. Marcus doesn’t believe things can get any worse for him…until they get worse.

Much worse.

He begins seeing strange and impossible visions; gets thrown into paranormal danger and is haunted by a mysterious ghost with a singular goal: to give him a key.

It’s a key that opens the door to a mysterious library. When that door opens, the incredible adventure for Marcus and his friends begins as they learn the truth about Marcus’ past and uncover the strange world of unfinished stories that are found on the shelves of the Library.

THE AUTHOR

D.J. MacHale is a writer, director, executive producer and creator of several popular television series and movies. As an author, his ten-volume book series: Pendragon: Journal of an Adventure Through Time and Space became a New York Times #1 bestseller.

He was raised in Greenwich, CT where he had several jobs including collecting eggs at a poultry farm; engraving trophies and washing dishes in a steakhouse…in between playing football and running track. D.J. graduated from New York University where he received a BFA in film production.

His film-making career began in New York where he worked as a freelance writer/director making corporate videos and television commercials.

D.J. broke into the entertainment business by writing several ABC Afterschool Specials. As co-creator of the popular Nickelodeon series: Are You Afraid of the Dark?, he produced all 91 episodes. D.J. also wrote and directed the movie Tower of Terror for ABC’s Wonderful World of Disney. The Showtime series Chris Cross was co-created, written and produced by D.J. It received the CableAce award for Best Youth Series.

D.J. created and produced the Discovery Kids/NBC television series Flight 29 Down. He wrote every episode and directed several. His work on Flight 29 Down earned him the Writers Guild of America award for Outstanding Children’s Script and a Directors Guild of America award nomination.

Other notable television writing credits include the ABC Afterschool Special titled Seasonal Differences; the pilot for the long-running PBS/CBS series Ghostwriter; and the HBO series Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective for which he received a CableAce nomination for writing.

In print, D.J. also authored the supernatural Morpheus Road trilogy; a whimsical picture book The Monster Princess; and The SYLO Chronicles, a thrilling sci-fi trilogy. He also wrote Voyagers: Project Alpha, the first of a six book science fiction adventure.

D.J.’s newest book series is The Library, a spooky middle-grade anthology about a mysterious library filled with unfinished supernatural tales, and the daring young people who must complete them.

D.J. lives in Southern California with his wife Evangeline and daughter Keaton. They are avid backpackers, scuba divers and skiers. Rounding out the household is a spoiled golden retriever named Casey and an equally spoiled tuxedo cat named Jinx.

WEBSITE/ TWITTER/ GOODREADS/ FACEBOOK.

GIVEAWAY

10-15 Minutes Skype Session (personal or school class).

Two Signed Copies of The Library Book 1: Curse of the Boggin + Signed Bookmarks by D.J. MacHale

-Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter

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The Deviants by C.J. Skuse *Blog Tour Review*

 Hello there! Today I'm thrilled to be part of the UK blog tour for The Deviants by C.J. Skuse. I'm sharing my 5 stars review. Believe me when I say you won't want to miss this book.

The Deviants

by C.J. Skuse

Source: ARC provided for review. Thank you!

My Rating: 5 stars

GoodReads/ Amazon/ TBD

Summary:

Growing up in the sleepy English seaside town of Brynston, the fearless five – Ella, Max, Corey, Fallon and Zane – were always inseparable. Living up to their nickname, they were the adventurous, rowdy kids who lived for ghost stories and exploring the nearby islands off the coast. But when Max’s beloved older sister Jessica is killed, the friendship seems to die with her.

Now years later, only Max and Ella are in touch; still best friends and a couple since they were thirteen. Their lives are so intertwined Max’s dad even sponsors Ella’s training for the Commonwealth Games. But Ella is hiding things. Like why she hates going to Max’s house for Sunday dinner, and flinches whenever his family are near. Or the real reason she’s afraid to take their relationship to the next level.

When underdog Corey is bullied, the fearless five are brought back together again, teaming up to wreak havoc and revenge on those who have wronged them. But when the secrets they are keeping can no longer be kept quiet, will their fearlessness be enough to save them from themselves?

*****

I’ve read a couple of mysteries this month, but I can truly say none of them shocked me as much as The Deviants did.

This is such an incredible and atmospheric story. I can’t even describe how much I enjoyed it.

The Deviants has one of the most diverse groups of characters I’ve ever read. They are unique, they are authentic, they are likable and each of them has a powerful voice I loved to hear.

The Deviants is not only about Ella, the main character. It’s about the Fearless Five: Ella, Max Corey, Fallon and Zane. They were best friends when they were kids, but after some tragic event, they took different roads. Until the day there are brought back together. Looking for revenge.

They go from silly things, like scaring kids, to tormenting the school’s bully, inspired by a Poe story.

The format of this book was just as good. It’s told in past tense, but the last line of each chapter is a question. So, you know from the beginning that Ella is telling you her story, but she’s telling it to someone else, too. That got me on the edge of my seat. I was dying to know who Ella was talking to.

And believe me. It was unexpected.

One of the things I enjoyed the most about The Deviants is how I always thought I knew what the plot twist was. And yes, I was right. But no, I wasn’t. It fooled me so much.

The Deviants was heartbreaking and astonishing. I can’t tell you more because one word can ruin the surprise.

This book has a deep message with a tragic ending, which made it even more realistic if that’s possible.

Overall, I would recommend The Deviants to everyone. If you like mysteries, if you like revenges, if you like thrillers, if you like haunted places and peculiar people.

The Deviants was a big surprise. I’ll be looking forward to reading more from this author now. 

***FOLLOW THE TOUR!***

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As I Descended by Robin Talley *Blog Tour and Review*

Hello everyone! Today's my stop in the UK Blog Tour for As I Descended by Robin Talley. I loved this book, so make sure to read my 4.5 stars review bellow. And if you haven't added it to your TBR, make sure to do it soon!

GoodReads/ Amazon/ TBD

Synopsis.

Maria Lyon and Lily Boiten are their school’s ultimate power couple—even if no one knows it but them.

Only one thing stands between them and their perfect future: campus superstar Delilah Dufrey.

Golden child Delilah is a legend at the exclusive Acheron Academy, and the presumptive winner of the distinguished Cawdor Kingsley Prize. She runs the school, and if she chose, she could blow up Maria and Lily’s whole world with a pointed look, or a carefully placed word.

But what Delilah doesn’t know is that Lily and Maria are willing to do anything—absolutely anything—to make their dreams come true. And the first step is unseating Delilah for the Kingsley Prize. The full scholarship, awarded to Maria, will lock in her attendance at Stanford―and four more years in a shared dorm room with Lily.

Maria and Lily will stop at nothing to ensure their victory—including harnessing the dark power long rumored to be present on the former plantation that houses their school.

But when feuds turn to fatalities, and madness begins to blur the distinction between what’s real and what is imagined, the girls must decide where they draw the line.

From acclaimed author Robin Talley comes a Shakespeare-inspired story of revenge and redemption, where fair is foul, and foul is fair.

MY REVIEW

 eARC provided for review. Thank you!

****

I am in awe. I was not expecting to like this book so much. As I Descended has been called a “lesbian Macbeth retelling” Of course I read Macbeth, but I don’t remember much about it, so it was really amazing to dive into this book without a clue about what would happen. 

For starters, the synopsis of this book makes it sound like it’s a “mean girls” kind of story, but it’s more than that. As I Descended is creepy and dark, it’s such a fast paced read!

It has a great cast of diverse characters and some Hispanic legends I was not expecting. It's not very often that I find Hispanic beliefs so well portrayed and that makes me happy. Seriously, I understand the fear of some characters because it’s something I’ve felt. The author did a great job creating realistic characters in a world of madness.

The plot is twisted and full of twists and turns. There were so many things I didn’t see coming. It had me on the edge of my seat every time I read. Whoa! I’m not sure how much of Macbeth it has, but this book was addictive. Even though there’s not much romance, As I Descended has some great couples I loved, and some I didn’t trust since the beginning.

As I Descended by Robin Talley is an emotional roller coaster. It has multiples POVs, which make the reader understand a little more about each character and that makes you come to your own predictions. It has some great betrayals, pain and many scary scenes. As I Descended is a must read!

PS: The only reason I don't give this book 5 stars is because even though Maria, the main character is hispanic, she never looked proud of it or even said something good about her blood. She's an anti heroe, so I understand this, but still...

               

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Robin Talley grew up in Roanoke, Virginia, writing terrible teen poetry and riding a desegregation bus to the school across town. Robin lives in Washington, D.C., with her fiancée, plus an antisocial cat and a goofy hound dog. When Robin’s not writing, she’s often planning communication strategies at organizations fighting for equal rights and social justice. You can find her on the web at www.robintalley.com or on Twitter at @robin_talley

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