TOUR STOP: The Black Lotus

The Black Lotus by Claire Warner

ISBN: 150035810X
Pages: 376
Source: YA Bound Book Tours

Publication Date: September 15, 2015

Initial Reaction:

 

It's 1752 and Melissa meets the man who will change her life forever. At her disastrous debut, Melissa meets the handsome Justin Lestrade and finds herself falling into his world. But Justin has secrets and many enemies. His dark past will not only ensnare her, but damage everything she knows and understands. Join Melissa as she sinks into a world of old feuds and ancient magic. 

Hello everyone! Today's my tour stop for the Black Lotus book tour! Be sure to check the banner above for links to the other tour stops!

This story was a mixture of confusing and fascinating. The novel begins with what happens at the end of the story and acts like a book end for the entire novel. My review format was a bit weird and it doubled the entire book which was a bit confusing because I started reading the copy and then I realized it was the same thing. 

I really enjoyed the historical setting that this novel takes place in. Melissa is a woman with so much personality and fire against the rigid societal structures that bind her. Her relationship with her brother is absolutely and at the ending of the book I was ready to throw something because everything seemed to be so unfair for her and that was the final straw. 

Her relationship with Justin Lestrade leaves me feeling a while array of emotions.  It wasn't insta-love by any means but there was definitely insta-attraction. On Melissa's part, she was determined to come up with her own definition of Justin that is not influenced by society and Justin sees Melissa as a representation of life that he has not allowed himself to experience in years.

I still don't understand why there are so many people who hate Justin for the Black Lotus. Alistair is as much to blame for the curse as Justin is but he seems to just push all the blame on Justin and takes part in seeing his brother suffer. Unless there is something else that happened that hasn't been revealed yet. The same goes for John. He is one sadistic person and I wish we could have known more about why his goal is to make Justin suffer.

Overall, I did enjoy the book. It's set in a very interesting time period and the characters are fun to read. I'm definitely intrigued to see how the story plays out, especially with that final scene of this book.

About the Author

When I was a child, I made up games and characters when my sister and I played with dolls. As I grew older, I would make up scenarios and scenes, fully intending to write them down but never finding the time. In my late teens, I discovered the world of role playing and settled into an avid ‘geeky’ life of D&D, comics, sci-fi and fantasy fiction. Years passed and I finally gave voice to the stories in my head. I write romance, fantasy, action and adventure. I love tales of steampunk and history, tales of magical powers and dark curses lurking in the shadows. Though The Black Lotus is not my first attempt at a novel, it is the first I have finished.

And some fun facts about me:

I sew.

My favourite Disney film is Atlantis.

I’ve been a film extra and stood 5 feet away from Sam Rockwell.

Babylon 5 is my fave sci-fi show.

I cried at the end of Toy Story 3.

Author Links:

    

3.5 out of 5 stars

  

Foreverly Obsessed,

COVER REVEAL: Water's Wrath

Water's Wrath (Air Awakens #4)

by Elise Kova

Release Date: April 26th 2016

Summary:

Librarian turned sorcerer. Sorcerer turned hero. Hero turned puppet.The Solaris Empire found victory in the North and, at the cost of her heart and her innocence, Vhalla Yarl has earned her freedom. But the true fight is only beginning as the secret forces that have been lurking in the shadows, tugging at the strings of Vhalla’s fate, finally come to light. Nowhere is safe, and Vhalla must tread carefully or else she’ll fall into the waiting arms of her greatest foe. Or former lover.

[More Preorder Locations to Come]

Previous books in the series (click on images for Goodreads links):

  

Cover Reveal Exclusive: My Thoughts on the Covers’ Symbolism So Far

Six months ago, almost to the day, Air Awakens came out. It was my debut novel as an independent author, no publisher and no agent behind me, and I had no idea what would come of it. Now, six months later, I can’t believe I’m revealing the cover on the fourth book of the Air Awakens series.

I say every cover is my favorite, because it gets harder and harder to pick. Each of the covers, in their own way, has been perfect for the book they belong with. My cover artist, Merilliza Chan, is amazing at taking direction and incorporating my suggestions.

Part of why each cover is perfect is because there are little hints, teasers, and call-outs to the story within. Without giving too many spoilers, here’s a couple notes on each of the Air Awakens covers so far!

Air Awakens

First off, notice how Vhalla’s sash is black. In the book, the sash that goes with her apprentice robes is cerulean. This, combined with her robes slowly turning black around the back of the cover is indicative of sorcery making a mark on her. But she hasn’t yet committed, she has yet to don all-black robes. The wind in her hair and sense of movement is a call-out to her affinity. The book in her hands, is representative of three things: her work in the library, the book she exchanges notes in, and the book she brings to the garden. Which, speaking of, the roses around her… well, if you’ve read the book you know what, or who, those are meant to symbolize. But I told Meril I wanted something ominous, something wicked about them. And the thorns going through them were perfect!

Fire Falling

Here is the first cover we see our dark prince on. Fire Falling is named after three incidents in the book… When Aldrik falls to his knees before Vhalla in the Crossroads, the Rites of the FALLen in the Crossroads for another, and the end of the book. Since two of the three aspects of the title of the book related to Aldrik it was only natural that he had to be on the cover. In Fire Falling, Aldrik is beginning to function as a guiding force for Vhalla and, on the cover, he’s looking over his shoulder at her. He can’t openly admit to their association. Vhalla’s eyes are glowing orange and she’s alight, immersed in flame. This was done to symbolize their Bond and Joining. That not only can his flames not harm her, but that he is connected on a mental and magical level. She is also wearing the armor Aldrik crafted for her.

Earth’s End

Now, the symbolism is beginning to get heavy. Vhalla is alone again on the cover, venturing into the wilderness. She’s almost facing the camera, symbolizing how she is growing into her own and becoming a more realized person. In the sky above her is a fire bird. We literally see this formed in the book, but it also is symbolic of a phoenix, rising from its own ashes. I think this works for Vhalla and Aldrik in their own ways through Earth’s End. The cloak she’s wearing is the one she receives from Tim with slash marks. The watch in her hand was gifted to her. And, in her other hand, we see a special sort of magic… Finally, one other note… Carved into a tree that’s on the back of printed books is a symbol – that is actually the symbol of Shaldan!

About the Author

Elise Kova has always had a passion for storytelling. She wrote her first novella, a high-fantasy, in sixth grade. Over the years she's honed her love of literature with everything from fantasy to romance, science fiction to mystery, and whatever else catches her eye.

Elise lives in Saint Petersburg, Florida, where she's currently working on the next installment in her debut YA fantasy series: Air Awakens. She enjoys video games, anime, table-top role playing games, and many other forms of "geekdom." She loves talking with fans on Twitter (@EliseKova) and Facebook (/AuthorEliseKova). Visit her website, EliseKova.com/, for news and extras about her books!

Author Links:

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Review: Love Me, Love Me Not

Love Me, Love Me Not by Alyxandra Harvey

ASIN: B01B1NC13S
Pages: 200
Source: Entangled Publishing 

Publication Date: February 22, 2016

Initial Reaction:

Dating isn’t easy when you’re in the middle of a blood feud. 

Anastasia Vila’s family can turn into swans, but just once she’d like them to turn into responsible adults. 

After hundreds of years, they still cling to the blood feud with the Renard family. No one remembers how it started in the first place—but foxes and swans just don’t get along. 

Vilas can only transform into their swan shape after they have fallen in love for the first time, but between balancing schoolwork, family obligations, and the escalating blood feud, Ana’s got no time for love. The only thing keeping her sane is her best friend, Pierce Kent. 
But when Pierce kisses Ana, everything changes. 
Is what Pierce feels for her real, or a byproduct of her magic? Can she risk everything for her best friend? And when the family feud spirals out of control, Ana must stop the fight before it takes away everything she loves. 
Including, maybe...Pierce. 

Hello everyone! So I'm a bit late on my review for this book >.< I was supposed by post my review 48 hours after the book was released and I completely forgot that this book came out on the 22nd. Anyway, I speed through this book in a day and here I am with my review!

I read Red by Alyxandra Harvey last year and it reignited my interest in YA paranormal. This book went in a completely different direction and I absolutely adored it. The plot line is reminiscent of The Weight of Feathers by Anna-Marie McLemore with a family feud that revolves around magic. The Vilas have the ability to shift into swans and every full moon, the young girls who have not yet earned their wings dance in the moonlight to replenish their magic. In order to earn your wings, you must find your true love. The Renards are the family of fox shifters and there has been a long history of tension between the two families. 

Words cannot express how utterly fascinated I was by the whole premise surrounding the families and their magical powers. The Vila girls who haven't earned their wings yet draw power on the length of their hair, so they don't cut their hair because the more hair they have, the more powerful their magic will be. They also "perform" their magic through song and I have to admit, that was one of my favorite elements. The Renards are trackers and they have a pendulum that they use. It's not as important as a swan cloak as if a cloak disappears, the Vila cannot shift and become mentally ill. I can go on and on about how fascinating the story is but I just might ruin something important.

Anastasia Vila believes that her true love is Edward and she has spent the past couple of years trying to form a relationship with him. Her best friend Pierce just stands on the sidelines and watches the girl he loves chase someone else. The relationship between Ana and Pierce is comfortable and he is always there for her. Needless to say, I was rooting for the two from the very beginning and I really enjoyed seeing their relationship grow closer and stronger. Also, I have to mention this: I loved the names of Ana's cousins. She mentions how her aunt had a thing for literature so she named her daughters Soliloquy, Story, and Sonnet. How incredibly cool is that? I feel a bit bad for my future kids because those names have made my list of favorite names. 

The ending was shocking to say the list and delivered the same amount of jaw dropping moments as Red. I was not anticipating who the culprit was and what was happening to the swans and foxes and the revelation and aftermath was just...mindblowing. The ending left me feeling the same way that Red did - anticipating more but satisfied. I don't know if there are going to be other books but this story is just so interesting and fun so I definitely recommend it!

*I received a copy from Entangled Publishing for review. All opinions are 100% my own.*

4 out of 5 stars

 

Foreverly Obsessed,

Review: Slammed

Slammed by Colleen Hoover

ISBN: 978-1476715902
Pages: 352
Source: Own

Publication Date: January 5, 2012

Initial Reaction:

Following the unexpected death of her father, 18-year-old Layken is forced to be the rock for both her mother and younger brother. Outwardly, she appears resilient and tenacious, but inwardly, she's losing hope.

Enter Will Cooper: The attractive, 21-year-old new neighbor with an intriguing passion for slam poetry and a unique sense of humor. Within days of their introduction, Will and Layken form an intense emotional connection, leaving Layken with a renewed sense of hope.

Not long after an intense, heart-stopping first date, they are slammed to the core when a shocking revelation forces their new relationship to a sudden halt. Daily interactions become impossibly painful as they struggle to find a balance between the feelings that pull them together, and the secret that keeps them apart.

Hello everyone! Today I've got my review for Slammed by Colleen Hoover. I've been meaning to read a new Colleen Hoover book and I thought I'd go back and read one of her older novels before jumping into November 9 which the next book on my list.

Quick warning before I get started, there might be quite a bit of fangirling because this book was absolutely amazing!!  

I was never a huge fan of poetry - it was just something that I never got into but this book makes me want to give it a second change and fittingly enough I have an English paper on poetry that I need to work on. I went into this book not really expecting anything since my first two Colleen Hoover books left me with complete different reactions. I also did a pretty good job in avoiding anything related to this book and I definitely have to say that I was pleasantly surprised.

Lake and Will are probably my favorite out all of the Colleen Hoover couples that I have read about. Their relationship is just so tender and beautiful and I was rooting for them from the very beginning. That plot twist that threw their relationship into a loop had be terrified because I wanted everything to end well so badly for the two of them.

As a character, Lake has a lot of emotions that are just bottled up and she finds a place to let them all go with Will and poetry. Honestly, life threw a lot of curveballs at her and she is constantly struggling to dodge them. There are a couple that hit her and throw her off course but she somehow manages to get back onto the right path. Will's willingness to step back and let her sort out her problems without their relationship getting in the way is just so heartbreaking and beautiful. He's so young and has a world of responsibilities that he has to deal with and the way he just takes everything into stride is definitely admirable.  

The poetry is definitely my favorite part of the story because it became the outlet for many of the character to reveal themselves with words. Each poem was beautiful, raw, and unique and it allows you to become closer to each person. I have to give a shoutout to Eddie's poem because she is just one of the most amazing characters and there's one particular scene where I just wanted to curl up in a ball and hug the book because it was so incredibly precious.  

Like I've said multiple times, this book is amazing and definitely my favorite out of all the Colleen Hoover books I've read. I don't know if I should continue on with the story because I've heard mixed things about the second and third book and I kind of want to keep my beautiful image of the characters. If you have read the second/third books, let me know what I should do!

4 out of 5 stars

  

Foreverly Obsessed,