THE BONELESS MERCIES BLOG TOUR / Review + Giveaway

THE BONELESS MERCIES
by April Genevieve Tucholke
Release Date: October 2nd, 2018

SYNOPSIS:

A dark and gorgeously drawn standalone YA fantasy about a band of mercenary girls in search of female glory. Won in a major six-house auction!

Frey, Ovie, Juniper, and Runa are the Boneless Mercies—girls hired to kill quickly, quietly, and mercifully. But Frey is weary of the death trade and, having been raised on the heroic sagas of her people, dreams of a bigger life. 

When she hears of an unstoppable monster ravaging a nearby town, Frey decides this is the Mercies' one chance out. The fame and fortune of bringing down such a beast would ensure a new future for all the Mercies. In fact, her actions may change the story arc of women everywhere.

Full of fierce girls, bloodlust, tenuous alliances, and unapologetic quests for glory, this elegantly spun tale challenges the power of storytelling—and who gets to be the storyteller. Perfect for fans of Maggie Stiefvater, V.E. Schwab, and Heidi Heilig.

REVIEW:

I was sent an early copy of this along with the first book from Macmillan in exchange for an honest review.

Let's start from the beginning. I dove into this book with specific expectations and they were met and then some. April Genevieve Tucholke has a vivid writing style that draws you in and doesn't release you until you've finished reading. The Boneless Mercies features several strong female characters which made my heart soar with joy. The dynamic between the characters Frey, Runa, Juniper, and Ovie along with their male companion Trigve make for an incredible group of wanderers. I am left wondering though if there is a bit more between Frey and Trigve than a close friendship. I have been intrigued by the story of Beowulf for quite some time so it was great to see this new spin on the tale. The girls start off as Boneless Mercies in which they give merciful deaths for coin but eventually decide to leave that path to seek glory. Now, I'm not going to sugarcoat this. There are many losses along the way with a bittersweet ending, but that's what makes a story seem more real right? There needs to be a balance in life and death, in joy and sadness. Even the giantess had me feeling for her in the end. What may seem like the most evil villain, could in fact feel justified on their end and in a way Logafell was. This story captivated me! I hope there will be a second book because I need to know what the Cut-Queen will do next....

RATING: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Macmillan has provided this lovely necklace inspired by the book

for a giveaway that you can enter below to win! 

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SPILL ZONE: THE BROKEN VOW BLOG TOUR

SPILL ZONE: THE BROKEN VOW
by Scott Westerfeld
Published: July 10th, 2018


SYNOPSIS:

All hell breaks loose in the second volume of New York Times–bestselling author Scott Westerfeld's visionary graphic novel duology.

Three years ago an event destroyed the small city of Poughkeepsie, forever changing reality within its borders. Strange manifestations and lethal dangers now await anyone who enters the Spill Zone. Addison got close enough to the Spill Zone to touch it, literally. She survived the encounter, but came back changed.

It turns out she's not alone. North Korea has its own Spill Zone, and a young man named Don Jae is the only one who made it out alive. Alive, but changed. Now Addison, Don Jae, and, curiously, a rag doll named Vespertine, share an unholy bond and uncanny powers.

From Scott Westerfeld, the inspired imagination behind the New York Times bestsellers Uglies and Leviathan, comes The Broken Vow, the second volume of our highly anticipated new graphic novel series.

REVIEW:

I was sent an early copy of this along with the first book from Macmillan/First Second Books in exchange for an honest review.

Filled with possessed dolls, animals, and people, Spill Zone is quite the creepy treat! The relationship between sisters Addison and Lexa starts off sweet, but completely morphs when Addison realizes Lexa's doll Vespertine is actually talking to her and that Vespertine caused the deaths of their parents. Throughout the books so far there are a lot of wheels rolling behind the scenes in which several people are messing with the zones and making things worse.  Yes, I said zones! Don Jae, a character we met in book one comes from a town that the same thing happened in. Later on when Addison meets Don Jae we realize there is a lot more going on than meets the eye and he shows this to Addison when they visit her zone. I found the artwork and writing style to really compliment each other and can't stop myself from flipping though the pages to admire it even after finishing it. The colors used are so vibrant and the characters feel absolutely real. I had a blast reading the first two books in this series of graphic novels and hope there will be more. This series really sucks you in!

RATING: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️


Spill Zone: The Broken Vow is now available as well as the brand new paperback edition of Spill Zone! Check out the gorgeous cover below!

Scott Westerfeld is a New York Times bestselling author of YA. He was born in the Texas and now lives in Sydney and New York City. In 2001, Westerfeld married fellow author Justine Larbalestier.

He is best know for the Uglies and Leviathan series, and his next book, Afterworlds, comes out September 23, 2014.

His book Evolution's Darling was a New York Times Notable Book, and won a Special Citation for the 2000 Philip K. Dick Award. So Yesterday won a Victorian Premier's Award and both Leviathan and Midnighters 1: The Secret Hour won Aurealis Awards. Peeps and Uglies were both named as Best Books for Young Adults 2006 by the American Library Association.

Book Review: Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol

BE PREPARED
by Vera Brosgol
Published: April 24th, 2018


SYNOPSIS:

A gripping and hilarious middle-grade summer camp memoir from the author of Anya's Ghost.

All Vera wants to do is fit in—but that’s not easy for a Russian girl in the suburbs. Her friends live in fancy houses and their parents can afford to send them to the best summer camps. Vera’s single mother can’t afford that sort of luxury, but there's one summer camp in her price range—Russian summer camp.

Vera is sure she's found the one place she can fit in, but camp is far from what she imagined. And nothing could prepare her for all the "cool girl" drama, endless Russian history lessons, and outhouses straight out of nightmares!

Perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier, Cece Bell, and Victoria Jamieson, Vera Brosgol's Be Prepared is a funny and relatable middle-grade graphic novel about navigating your own culture, struggling to belong, and the value of true friendship.

REVIEW:

I was sent an early copy of this from Macmillan/First Second Books in exchange for an honest review.

Be Prepared instantly caught my attention from page one and I finished it quickly in one sitting! The story of Vera and everything she goes through to try to make friends is completely relatable. I really enjoyed the dark humor in this novel and the fantastic artwork! This is the perfect summer read for all ages! In all honesty I was having some Adams Family Values feels while reading it. This story teaches that it's better to have one true friend than many fake friends. I can't wait to check out more of Vera Brosgol's work!

RATING: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Book Review: Out of the Blue by Sophie Cameron

Out of the Blue
by Sophie Cameron
Release Date: May 15th, 2018


SYNOPSIS:

Sometimes, I imagine alternate endings to the story: last-minute miracles, touches of magic. I picture how things might have gone, if I wasn’t there. If I’d left just a few minutes later. If I hadn’t been alone. It doesn’t make any difference. One way or another, the crash always comes.

Ten days after Jaya Mackenzie’s mum dies, angels start falling from the sky. Smashing down to earth at extraordinary speeds, wings bent, faces contorted, not a single one has survived.

Hysteria mounting with every Being that drops, Jaya’s father uproots the family to Edinburgh intent on catching one alive. But Jaya can’t stand this obsession and, struggling to make sense of her mother’s sudden death and her own role on that fateful day, she’s determined to stay out of it.

When her best friend disappears and her father’s mania spirals, things hit rock bottom and it’s at that moment something extraordinary happens: An angel lands right at Jaya’s feet, and it’s alive. Finally she is forced to acknowledge just how significant these celestial beings are.

Set against the backdrop of the frenzied Edinburgh festival, OUT OF THE BLUE tackles questions of grief and guilt and fear over who we really are. But it’s also about love and acceptance and finding your place in this world as angels drop out of another.

REVIEW:

I was sent an early copy of this from Fierce Reads in exchange for an honest review.

To say that this writer is brilliant would be an understatement. Out of the Blue is so raw and full of emotion. It takes a lot to hit me in the way that this story did and I can't wait to read more of Sophie's work. The main character struggles with misplaced guilt and regret throughout the book and I can relate to that. We all struggle with that though, right? There are key moments in all of our lives that you look back on and say, "What if I had done things differently?" WHAT IF? I struggle with this constantly and this very realistic story with a touch of fantasy really got me thinking. I think it's great that books such as this exist and feel that it fits a wide audience. While this story seems like it will turn out one way it surprises you in the most beautiful way.

RATING: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Book Review: The Supervillain and Me by Danielle Banas

The Supervillain and Me
by Danielle Banas
Release Date: July 10th, 2018

SYNOPSIS:

As witty as it is heartpounding, this fresh take on the beloved superhero genre is all about finding your own way to shine even when it seems everyone else around you is, well... super.

Never trust a guy in spandex.

In Abby Hamilton’s world, superheroes do more than just stop crime and save cats stuck in trees―they also drink milk straight from the carton and hog the television remote. Abby’s older brother moonlights as the famous Red Comet, but without powers of her own, following in his footsteps has never crossed her mind.

That is, until the city’s newest vigilante comes bursting into her life.

After saving Abby from an attempted mugging, Morriston’s fledgling supervillain Iron Phantom convinces her that he’s not as evil as everyone says, and that their city is under a vicious new threat. As Abby follows him deeper into their city’s darkest secrets, she comes to learn that heroes can’t always be trusted, and sometimes it’s the good guys who wear black.

Chosen by readers like you for Macmillan's young adult imprint Swoon Reads, The Supervillain and Me is a hilarious, sweet, and action-packed novel by debut author Danielle Banas that proves no one is perfect, not even superheroes.

REVIEW:

I was sent an early copy of this from Fierce Reads in exchange for an honest review.

I always gravitate towards superhero stories and this definitely didn't disappoint. I could not put this book down! When I started it I felt like I knew who the guy behind the mask was and I am so glad I was wrong. I enjoyed the progression of every character and the ending. Hopefully there's a second book soon because I need more! I also need and Iron Phantom artwork in my life...I'm just saying. *wink wink* I won't post spoilers as this hasn't been released yet, but if you like superhero stories I believe you will enjoy this. The Supervillain and Me felt in many ways reminiscent of the Playstation show Powers and I loved that show. Danielle's writing style is fun and easy to follow and I definitely think you all should check her out! Since this comes out on my birthday I may have to put a finished copy of this on my wish list.

RATING: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Book Review: ANIMUS by Antoine Revoy

ANIMUS
by Antoine Revoy
Release Date: May 8th, 2018


SYNOPSIS:

The residents of a quiet Japanese neighborhood have slowly come to realize that inauspicious, paranormal forces are at play in the most unlikely of places: the local playground. Two friends, a young boy and girl, resolve to exorcise the evil that inhabit it, including a snaggle-toothed monster.

In Animus, a beautiful but spooky young adult graphic novel of everyday hauntings, Antoine Revoy delivers an eerie tale inspired by the Japanese and French comics of his childhood.

REVIEW:

I was sent an early copy of this from Macmillan/First Second Books in exchange for an honest review.

In the same day that I received this, I immediately dove in! Being a fan of dark tales and Japanese comics told me right away that I would love it. After finishing this I am left very confused, yet intrigued. Most of the time I hate when stories leave me wondering what happened, but I think that is what makes this so special. It's not fluffy at all and can definitely give some chills. This is a quick and fun read that I really enjoyed. Also, the artwork is gorgeous! Seriously though, what just happened ? ? ?

RATING: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Book Review: Bound to You by Alyssa Brandon

Bound to You

by Alyssa Brandon

Release Date: April 10th, 2018

SYNOPSIS:

A teen werewolf finally meets her destined soulmate only to discover that he's not quite what she expected in this steamy debut romance.

She's met her mate . . . and he's met his match.

Megan Ross has been waiting her whole life for her mate to come and sweep her off her feet. But the wolf she meets on the beach is NOT the sweet gentle boy she's been dreaming of. Instead, he's a warrior, one whose suffering has led him to lock his heart away in a prison as cold and hard as a diamond, who fights to resist the bond and their deep sexual attraction.

Far from home, with a soulmate who is still a stranger, Megan learns that the path to true love isn't quite as straight and easy as she thought . . . 

REVIEW:

I was sent an early copy of this from Fierce Reads in exchange for an honest review.

In my early twenties I used to read a lot of shifter romances and going back to it was quite fun. My main hesitation was my worry over it ending up like every other werewolf romance I've ever read. Now, while there were many similarities to other stories I have read in the past, I enjoyed it. Megan and James seem like a real couple with very real issues that created a depth to their relationship. It wasn't just a, "We're mates, lets get it on now," type of thing. Well, on Megan's end it was, but James' emotional scars kept him closed off for a great deal of the book and their gradually growing love felt genuine. One of the only things I felt was a bit lacking was some more insight into the other characters. I really hope there is a sequel because... I NEED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT LUCY!

RATING: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️