Showing posts with label aliens. Show all posts
Showing posts with label aliens. Show all posts

9/25/2012

Blog Tour: The Last Year Series Double Review and Giveaway

I LOVED the start to this series and cannot wait for more by Trisha Leigh!


Book 1
Whispers in Autumn (The Last Year #1) by Trisha Leigh
★★★★★
Release Date: July 2012
Age: YA
Genre: Science Fiction, Paranormal, Romance, Friendship, Aliens, Dystopian
Format Reviewed: ebook
Source: AToMR Blog Tours
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
In 2015, a race of alien Others conquered Earth. They enslaved humanity not by force, but through an aggressive mind control that turned people into contented, unquestioning robots.

Except sixteen-year-old Althea isn’t content at all, and she doesn’t need the mysterious note inside her locket to tell her she’s Something Else. It also warns her to trust no one, so she hides the pieces that make her different, even though it means being alone.

Then she meets Lucas, everything changes.

Althea and Lucas are immune to the alien mind control, and together they search for the reason why. What they uncover is a stunning truth the Others never anticipated, one with the potential to free the brainwashed human race.

It’s not who they are that makes them special, but what.
And what they are is a threat. One the Others are determined to eliminate for good.
As the start to the series this book builds a unique and eerie world in which people are void of emotion and have been brainwashed and mind controlled to do as their captors wish. But, there are some who are different. Althea's life is not easy, and as she learns throughout the story what being Something Else means, everything she's ever believed comes crashing down around her. With a similar feel to books like Delirium by Lauren Oliver; Trisha Leigh is an unbelievably amazing author who completely rocked my socks off with this new alien tale.

Althea is used to being invisible, but somehow people are starting to notice her and she knows everything is about to change. It all begins with a boy named Lucas and his overwhelming smell of Winter that happens to compliment her Summer smell. Through unimaginable twists and turns this book takes flight and never settles down. It's a journey that was intense and I didn't put the book down once!

The love story between Lucas and Althea is sweet and slow, they take their time and build these strong emotions. It doesn't hurt that Lucas is a total swoon worthy boy who is always there for Althea, he's her rock. When they are forced to seek answers about their lives they stand by each others sides and the kisses. Their friendly and fun banter, even as the story's intensity builds was a refreshing and smile worthy aspect to the book. Lucas is my favorite character, next to Althea of course.

The cruel truths throughout the story are surprising. Trisha Leigh manages to keep building the story throughout and even at the end I was left with one word, wow. I was very excited to have book 2 in my hands and ready to continue the series. If you're looking for a futuristic science fiction read that features a lovely romance, twists, secrets, and plenty of adventure and suspense make sure to check this one out!


Book 2
Winter Omens (The Last Year #2) by Trisha Leigh
★★★★★
Release Date: September 25, 2012
Age: YA
Genre: Science Fiction, Paranormal, Romance, Friendship, Aliens, Dystopian
Format Reviewed: ebook
Althea and Lucas barely escaped the Others’ clutches in the autumn, and were separated in the process. Alone and on the run from the cruel alien race determined to exterminate her, Althea struggles to adapt and survive in a world she never imagined.

When a boy named Pax appears out of nowhere, he quickly recognizes Althea for what she is – a human/Other hybrid just like him. Althea begs him to help her find Lucas, but Pax refuses, intent on following his own mysterious agenda.

The Others’ presence continues to devour the planet’s resources, and if history is an indication, they won’t leave until Earth is destroyed beyond repair. Althea and Pax sense the only way to save themselves – and maybe their home – is to understand the powers simmering inside them.

Together they push the limits of their capabilities in the quiet Wilds, but are soon confronted with a terrifying fact: no place is safe from the relentless pursuit of the Others.
Least of all their own minds.
In this almost-better-than-the-first-book sequel we follow Althea on her quest to find Lucas. If you haven't read Whispers in Autumn DO SO NOW! Don't read any further, except for below to enter the giveaway and follow this blog tour.

Trisha Leigh succeeds in creating a followup that is a worthy component of one of my new favorite series. With the first book being one of the most creative and intense reads I've experienced in a while I was on the edge of my seat to begin reading this one, and I'm glad I devoured it so quickly. She takes this story and weaves another chapter that left me jumping for joy and biting my nails.

Winter Omens changes everything I loved about the first book by the exclusion of Lucas, I missed him a lot. But, it makes it that much better with the inclusion of Pax. On her search for Lucas in a world she's always been told is dangerous Althea risks everything for a boy who she may love and befriends a boy that excites her in ways she's never known; she also befriends a four legged animal who becomes a companion. Pax is everything that Lucas isn't and shares the secrets that they do, if you're going to have a love triangle (which I love, and am still crossing my fingers that Lucas gets the girl) then you might as well play for opposites. This twist in a story that I thought I had figured out happens to diversify and expand on my emotions and make for an even better read (which I would've never thought was possible). Go Trisha! I can't wait for the next book! I hope I don't have to wait long ;)

This book managed to really get under my skin and stay there; I'm still thinking about this fascinating story days after I've turned the last page. While I loved Whispers in Autumn, I love how the author shakes everything up in Winter Omens. Trisha Leigh has a magical way with words and turns the alien story into a new breed of books that I absolutely LOVE!

Giveaway
Hosted by the author.
This giveaway is international!

11/11/2011

Book Tour: Cicada Review and Giveaway

Cicada by Belle Whittington
★★★★★
Release Date: July 14, 2011
Age: Young Adult
Genre: Science Fiction, Paranormal Romance
Format: e-book
Source: blog tour
Buy it: AmazonBarnes and NobleSmashwords
More: Facebook | YouTube | Goodreads | Amazon
Summertime had always been carefree and fun for Blair Reynolds and her friends--until they came upon something that was not human. As the group of friends band together in a fight for their lives, Blair's true love becomes something more than human...something unnatural. And their existence relies on their ability to keep a secret.
When I started Cicada I knew only 2 things: it was a sci-fi book, and a cicada is an insect. As I tore through the pages of this fluid and easy to digest novel, I fell in love with the simple Texas story of love and more. Yes it has science fiction elements, but it's not only a book about impossibilities it is also a book about everything that is possible in life, even those things we never expect.

Cicada is a summer story, which made me yearn for long and lazy warm days. I found Belle Whittington to be an author who doesn't just spell things out for the reader but makes you search for information in her writing, and I loved that. While a fun and easy read in the beginning Belle beefs up the story quite a bit by the end with twists in the story and just enough suspense to keep any reader on their toes. She also creates beautiful scenes in the readers mind of what is happening in the story. I could easily picture everything from the old ranch to the bakery that Blair's mother owns.

It's a book about so many things but when I think of Cicada the word that pops into my mind is change. Everything changes for this young group of characters in the short months leading up to college and for Blair, leading up to senior year. Some of these changes have been good and some not.

There's a love story that unfolds between the pages that really took me by surprise. That doesn't mean I'm not happy it happened, but I was kind of in shock when everything was confessed. That's great writing, when you are literally going back a few pages to see how in the world you could have missed that! Then realize the small changes in behavior leading up to the emotion filled moments. It's a beautiful love that is young yet powerful and I enjoyed reading every second of it.

Aside from Blair we meet her brother Andrew and their 3 close friends. Everett, one of their friends is a self confessed nerd and from the very beginning I knew he was something special. He was my favorite character from the book, I liked Blair and all but I don't know, I just really liked Everett. Blair comes off as young and while she grows and changes a lot through the book we definitely see the most growth in Everett both emotional and physical. Her characters have real personalities and it's a refreshing read.

The intriguing story line gets more and more developed as the story moves forward, it continues to build. I'm glad it's one of a series because there is still so much more to learn. There is a bit left unanswered but it's understandable, it's a book one and we all know how that goes "Holy Cliffhanger" although this one isn't too bad. And, a bonus, the e-book I read had a preview of book 2, so I'm a little satisfied until it releases.

So, recap. 
Do I recommend this book? Yes.
Why? Because it's beautiful and real and very unique.


Parajunkee Design


Book Trailer


Giveaway
On this stop of the tour, thanks to Bree and Belle, I will be giving away an e-book copy of Cicada by Belle Whittington to one random entrant.


To Enter:
simply comment on this blog post with your email address and your favorite thing about summer.
Don't feel comfortable leaving your email, understandable, email me your answer here.
Giveaway will end November 18th! Winner will be contacted, if I do not receive a response within 48 hours I will choose a new winner.
Giveaway is now over

Also, there will be a grand prize and to enter all you need to do is comment on a blog tour stop.
One comment per person per stop.
The grand prize will include a custom Cicada bracelet and earrings, bookmark, and an e-book copy of Cicada.


Make sure to check out the next stop on the tour 
Assortments on November 14th!