Blog Tour: Seeing Light

Today I am super excited to be a blog tour stop for Seeing Light, the third (and final) installment in Michelle Warren's amazing Seraphina Parrish trilogy! Since this is the third in a very-connected-trilogy, this review will be a little different for two reasons:
#1: You really need to read books 1 (Wander Dust) and 2 (Protecting Truth) to really understand and appreciate everything that's going on in Seeing Light. I mean, really.
#2: I've got to be extremely careful not to give spoilers ... as with her previous books, Michelle has an amazing talent for storytelling - pacing, building tension, surprising you out of nowhere. I was careful to avoid other reviews/spoilers myself, and I feel it only fair to return the favor.

That said, you can check out my reviews for the previous books above, and you can start the series for free ((for a limited time!)).

Seeing Light
Michelle Warren
2013

Whew. Michelle Warren has done it again, you guys. Picking up not long after Protecting Truth leaves off, we find Sera and her team (Bishop and Sam) once again living dangerously. As she continues to push back against the Society, Sera discovers more about what's "behind the scenes". What she discovers isn't pretty, and her fierce independence (those in authority might call it rebellion) prompts her to join in the covert fight to right the wrongs and end the secretive power of the Society. Wandering to places and times she has no "legitimate business" being, Sera - and her team - realize just how deep the corruption and web of deception go. But even as she fights to end the way of life she and her fellow Wanderers are trapped in, Sera wonders what will happen if she succeeds.

Mixed in all this, there's still a lot of intense emotion from the whole Turner-Bishop fiasco, and the raw grief that broke all our hearts in Protecting Truth is a very present factor. I love this element, even as it made me sad -- it makes Sera seem real, human. She's a pretty gifted and fierce Wanderer (or dun-dun-duh: Watcher, and that's all the spoiler you get, mwuahaha!), and it's easy to forget she's just a teenager. She's still a kid, really, and her heart is warring to be heard. So watching her sort through all the tangled emotions, fighting to discern whether what she feels is truly her heart or merely her Society-programmed destiny? It's good. It adds a lovely dimension to an already incredible story. And of course, Bishop is amazing. Because he always is, even when he's angry and hurting. The characters are incredibly vibrant and integral to making this complex fantasy work, and Michelle has created people who I don't want to forget.

eARC provided by author for review.

For more to whet your appetite, check out the book trailer:


And there's a giveaway!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Release Day Blitz: Seeing Light

Seeing Light

The Seraphina Parrish Trilogy # 3

Genre- YA Fantasy/ Time Travel

Publication Date- October 10th, 2013 

As the corruption of the Society intensifies and the questions surrounding her mother mount, Seraphina Parrish embarks on a journey to find Terease in the terrifying Wandering city of Nocturna. But the information she learns there only sends her team on a dangerous mission to fulfill an ancient prophecy. Delving deep into the disturbing secrets of their world, the revelations quickly unravel, revealing shocking truths about the Society and Sera’s life. In the end, power and courage clash in a mission for freedom that may shatter the Wandering world completely.

Now available from Amazon!

  

Attempting Elizabeth

Attempting Elizabeth
Jessica Grey
Tall House Books, 2013

Raise your hand if you've ever wished you could meet Mr. Darcy. Not just "a Mr. Darcy," but the Mr. Darcy. (I really hope I'm not the only one with my hand up...) Forget, for a moment, that he's just an epic, dashingly broody and romantic hero in literature. Forget about the small detail that Mr. Darcy - and Elizabeth, Bingley, Mr. Collins and Lady Catherine - exist only because one Jane Austen had the incredible genius to dream them up. And imagine, if you will, that it's somehow possible to live their story. Mmhmm, you know what I mean. And Jessica Grey (whose forays into the fairy tale realm have kept me giddy) offers us a winning heroine - Kelsey - who manages to jump into Pride and Prejudice. Talk about living the dream ...

Not everything is picture perfect for Kelsey though, especially when she first realizes she's in the book. No matter which character she gets tossed into (the first is Georgiana), Kelsey has to "perform" true to the book's pattern -- or else she has to repeat the scene over and over again. And yet, as she learns to navigate the finer art of book-jumping, Kelsey is drawn to the concept again and again. The ultimate goal: becoming Elizabeth, and thus gaining Mr. Darcy. Because let's face it: in the real world, Kelsey's life seems comically awry. What she doesn't realize is that her experiences in the book are helping her get a better handle on reality. So when her real-world misadventures collide with the book - well, let's just say it's the ultimate reality check. (Sorry, I couldn't help myself).

Not only is the story itself fascinating and addicting, but Jessica does such an amazing job of working in geeky references. I was beside myself. Kelsey is the ultimate geeky fangirl, and I was able to identify with her on. all. the. things. Truly awesome. Plus, it's just too much fun to read an Austenesque novel that has Star Wars commentary. I mean, seriously. Tell me that's not awesome.

eARC provided by author for review.

Protecting Truth

Protecting Truth
Michelle Warren
2012

In the much-awaited second installment of the Seraphina Parrish trilogy (check out my review of the first book, Wander Dust here), we get both the perfect story and not nearly enough! See, Michelle Warren has a knack for telling a story that hooks you and draws you in, and while the book itself is this perfectly spun story, it leaves you wanting so much more.

Protecting Truth opens a few months after the end of Wander Dust, just as summer is ending and the new school year about to begin for Sera and her cronies. Unable to stand the separation from Bishop any longer, Sera wanders to England for a surprise visit -- setting in motion a chain of events that rocks the Academy. And so Sera's second year at the Academy begins on a stressful note, made worse by the ever-increasing tension between Bishop and Turner - his fraternal twin, and Sera's secret collaborator. See, Turner has been making defense training holograms for Sera, and she can now kick some major tail on her own - which would make Bishop feel inadequate and unwanted, since, you know, he's her Protector. Crazy stuff. Plus, Cece and the Academy's enemies are back in full-force, and the stakes just keep getting raised higher and higher.

The tension and story and all the ... truths ... that are revealed in Protecting Truth are making writing the review tricky. I don't want to give anything up, because this is a story you've got to really experience for yourself. So I'll tease you a little: the tension between Turner and Bishop? It's more than just twin-rivalry. All the secrets that Sera thought she figured out last year? They barely even scratch the surface. And the ending. Oh. My. Word. There are no words. Except "wow" and "where's the rest of the story, Michelle?!?!?!" Seriously. I need the rest of this story. The characters, the drama, the amazingness of wandering (who doesn't want to be able to wander, by the way?). Yup, Michelle Warren has officially created one awesome world. And left me hanging.

eBook provided by author for review.

Tributary

Tributary
Lisa T Bergren
2012

Remember my gushing reviews of Waterfall, Cascade, Torrent and Bourne? Well, Lisa Bergren delivered another amazing dose of River of Time goodness with Tributary. As with my other reviews, I'm trying to be excruciatingly careful to avoid spoilers, so details may be a bit - missing. However, don't let that deter you! In fact, if you've somehow missed the River of Time series, you should go out - right now - and find them. Read them all, and then grab Tributary and devour it too. They're amazing. Simply amazing.

Now then, for a bit about what makes Tributary such a read ... First, that's Luca Forelli on the cover, and if you think he has shorter hair than perhaps a medieval Italian knight would have - you're right. But there's a really lovely scene where Lia cuts his hair. It'll make you swoon a little. But then, Luca is always a charmer. I love watching the continued evolution of his relationship with Lia. What really had my heart pounding was Rodolfo Greco. Whew, if I wasn't officially Team Marcello, I'd have just signed my heart away to Greco. Dude's amazing. And finally free - to live and laugh and love. We also meet a new character, the beautiful Alessandra, who slips across the border onto Forelli land hunting boar - and finds herself ensnared in the intricate, messy web of politics.

I devoured Tributary, and was left breathless at the end. It's a masterful story, and a very fitting "end" to the River of Time series. At this time, Lisa isn't sure if there will be more to the story - and as much as I love these characters, after Tributary, I am okay with the idea of the journey ending. Gabi and Lia have come so far, and even Marcello, Luca and Rodolfo have grown and stepped fully into their destinies. The story feels complete, somehow. My heart is happy with the way things stand. And what a story Lisa can tell! If I can write something half as engrossing and beautiful, I will consider it success. So while I am bidding farewell to the River of Time, I'm moving on to the rest of Lisa's novels - I hear there's another trilogy set in medieval Italy!

eBook provided by my personal library.

Blog Tour: Clockwise

Today I'm happy to announce I'm a stop on the Clockwise blog tour, hosted by the lovely Missy. After you read my review, feel free to swing by and see what else is happening along the blog trail (just click the banner above). Also, at the end of the post are three easy steps to get a free copy of Clockwiser - the sequel to Clockwise!

Clockwise
Elle Strauss
2011

Casey Donovan has a problem. Not just any problem, but a big problem. She trips a lot, and normally with little warning or explanation as to why. And she's been tripping for years. Doesn't seem like a big deal, right? Well, when you realize that Casey and her best friend Lucinda use "trip" as code for "goes back in time over a hundred years," then it becomes a bigger issue. And if anyone is making skin-to-skin contact with her when she trips, Casey takes them along with her. This, my readers, is when things get interesting. Really interesting. Because the totally hot and entirely unattainable Nate asks Casey to dance - and she trips. During the dance. Taking Nate with her. Back in time to 1861 Cambridge, MA. What happens next is one crazy ride, hopping in and out of time, and with more than one close call.

I really enjoyed Clockwise - Casey is a character I could root for, even if she couldn't see her own coolness. After Nate's initial shock (and hello, who wouldn't be shocked?), he sort of adjusts to the whole concept of "tripping," and even seems to set up return trips for himself. Nate and Casey both grow a lot as characters, and as friends, aided in large part by their time together in 1861 & 1862. Slowly, Casey begins to come to terms with her talent/ability, and even discovers a few other travelers! At the same time, pieces of her own life story are starting to fall into place, and she eventually discovers a possible answer for why she travels.

Casey and Nate's misadventures made for laughs, quiet smiles, and the occasional mental cheer session as they sifted through their differences and issues and learned to trust themselves and each other. They're likable characters and I look forward to seeing what happens next in Clockwiser.

Speaking of Clockwiser, if you'd like to receive a free ebook, go like Elle's facebook page AND leave a comment on this post (with your email address, please!). See? Nice and easy.

Book provided by author for review.

Bourne

Bourne
Lisa T Bergren
2012

Oh. My. Goodness. If you're a new reader, you may have missed my head-over-heels, gushing fall into love with Lisa Bergren's River of Time series. You can catch my reviews for the first three books here: Waterfall, Cascade and Torrent. If you have not read these, you really should (and as soon as possible), because the story is ah-mazing. I'm going to try very, very hard to keep this review of Bourne spoiler-free for you, because the River of Time journey is totally one you need to make for yourself.

For those who have read all the books, Bourne is a novella - Lisa's calling it "River of Time #3.1" - that picks up literally where Torrent ends. As in, the day after The Battle. As a novella, it's shorter - roughly a third of the novels' length - and it covers a shorter period of time, just a few days. Those days however, are intense. Things are still uneasy between Florenze and Sienna, and since Castello Forelli is on the front-lines, there's always potential for danger. Especially when the She-Wolves are victorious again. But the tension in the Castello is more than just the threat from the North, it comes from within. The bond of brotherhood existing between Marcello, Luca and Lord Greco is strained. Everyone is trying to navigate the new place they find themselves in, while also handling their haunting pasts.

Bourne is told in alternating perspective from Gabi and Lia, as their stories - their places in medieval Italia - begin to take slightly different paths. This allows for a more dynamic and detailed story overall, as well as allowing Bergren to get into the characters themselves. As Gabi and Lia adjust to their new situations, and the ongoing border war, they do a lot of thinking about themselves and those around them. And we get to see it all, and in the process learn more about these brave Italian hearts that have captured our imagination. I loved getting to see Lia's side of things, and watch as she becomes ever more comfortable in her role as a She-Wolf. (I'm pretty sure Luca has something to do with that). As with each of the novels, Bourne ended too soon - and I am eagerly awaiting the next installment, breathlessly waiting to see what happens next!

eARC provided by author for review.

If you want to read Bourne, it's available at these retailers (ebook only):
Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Bourne-River-Time-Novella-ebook/dp/B007E4RWSI

Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bourne-lisa-bergren/1109160629?ean=2940013977914&itm=1&usri=lisa+t+bergren+bourne

Smashwords (all kinds of formats): http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/136620

Taft 2012

Taft 2012
Jason Heller
Quirk Books, 2012

Oh wow. I knew this one was going to be a fun read when I got Eric Smith's email about the upcoming release. (You guys should follow him, btw - he's awesome. And if you're a blogger, you definitely want to be on his mailing list: promise the emails will make you smile!) I was not disappointed in the reading.

Picture, if you will, the United States in a frenzy of politics: the 2012 elections are looming closer and closer, and everyone is trying desperately to find the right candidate to go up against the sitting President. Imagine, with me, that one day a former President, who left office 100 years ago, reappears suddenly. Like, literally reappears. Alive and well. Rip van Winkle-style, with a Presidential twist. Yeah. Jason Heller went there. What happens next is a story that could only happen in the American political arena - but in a good way!

What I loved about Taft 2012 is how believable it is. Er, you know, aside from the fact Taft 'woke up' 100 years after he vanished. But the climate? The society? The way things played out? Totally. Believable. All you have to do is turn on the tv or check a news site online and it's easy to imagine the novel as reality. There are a lot of fun 'insider looks' too: tweets, agendas, etc. that help flesh out the story. And the sly comments about the world Taft wakes up in? I dare you not to recognize the connections. I think the very realness of the context is what makes this so enjoyable. I thoroughly enjoyed the read, alternating between chuckling over the developing story and appreciating the masterful storytelling.

Book provided by publisher for review.

Blog Tour: Wander Dust

Wander Dust
Michelle Warren
2011

I fell in love with the cover of Wander Dust the first time I ever saw it on facebook, and once I started learning more about the story - I knew it was one I'd be reading. When Michelle put out a call for bloggers willing to partner with her on a book launch blog tour, I put in my application quickly. Happily, I was picked! Did you see my interview with Michelle on Sunday? Check it out - plus, there's an amazing giveaway. Definitely worth your time, I promise!

Going into the reading, I had a basic idea of the story, but had no idea how 'edgy' of a read I was getting. It's intense, emotional, involving. Sera has lived her life with one concept of reality, only to have it turned on-end on her sixteenth birthday. Suddenly she's having weird 'moments' or 'visions' that combine to make her question her sanity. Once she learns she is a Wanderer (one who can 'wander' through Time), Sera is enrolled in the Academy, where she will learn to navigate her reality and 'new' identity. At this point, the story takes turn after turn after turn.

Before getting into too many details, let me make a quick 'detour' to say that Michelle has definitely created a well-rounded world. With any story, but especially with fantasies, I always appreciate when authors take the time to really think about the world they're creating: fleshing it out, giving it background and context, rather than just scribbling down a setting because it makes their story work. Wander Dust takes place in 'the real world,' but it also features a whole other world as well - and that world is carefully orchestrated, with a history, a mythology, and an uncertain future. It's real. And as we are discovering this mysterious 'second world,' so is Sera. I really appreciated getting to discover the hidden secrets through the eyes and experiences of Sera - it helped add an authenticity to the story, and is a great way to introduce strange concepts (time travel!) without coming across as a manual description or etc.

There's a host of characters, and nobody is quite as they seem. Even with mysteries appearing and being solved constantly, Sera is never sure what exactly is going on - and neither was I, as reader. With every new revelation, my internal reader was rethinking all my assumptions. The reading-journey was so much fun, that I'm hesitant to give away too much in my review. If you have too many 'teasers,' it could mess with your brain while reading, and truly: taking every step and misstep along with Sera and Co. is definitely a big part of what makes this such a great read. It's safe to say this one kept me guessing until the end. Also safe to say I'm very glad to know this is a trilogy, and that more of this story is forthcoming! I need to know what the answers to some of the lingering questions are! Not to mention see where things are going to progress, now that certain misconceptions have been corrected. (Nope, not telling, you've got to read it for yourself!)

Book provided by author for review.

Torrent

Torrent
Lisa T. Bergren
David Cook, 2011

Just as Cascade picked up right where Waterfall left off, so does Torrent pick up the story from the moment Cascade leaves us wondering. Gabi, Lia and Mom have returned to the future - er, present? - and must decide whether they are able to successfully navigate the time portal to save Dad. I'll go on and tell you: they do. And then it's return to Marcello (and Luca), post-haste! Only to discover that more time has passed than expected, but everything's a-okay. The guys are ready to reunite with their ladies, and even to meet the challenge of proving themselves to The Dad.

As their father tries to wrap his mind around everything that's happened - and happening - the girls quickly find themselves swept back into the pace of things in Medieval Tuscany. Including, unfortunately, the never-ending struggle with the Fiorentini. Knowing that things have to end for there to be any hope of peace in Siena, let alone any hope of convincing Dad that they need to stay in Medieval Tuscany, Gabi convinces Marcello to agree to a truce-meeting with the Fiorentini, who want her - the She-Wolf of Siena - in exchange for the release of Fortino. After carefully laying out plans for escape and rescue, Marcello agrees and the meeting happens. Only, things definitely do not go as planned (who didn't see that one coming?), and Gabi finds herself in quite possibly her biggest predicament yet, face-to-face with amazing temptation in the form of handsome, mysterious Lord Greco who offers safety - and more.

Torrent was a wild ride, with fewer 'battles' and military maneuvering than is present in the first two books, but no shortage of drama. Gabi faces some major challenges on a personal level - challenges that will affect not only her life, but the lives of everyone she holds dear, and, possibly, all of Siena. Lord Greco really comes into his own as a character in this novel, and is compelling indeed. He's definitely a hero in his own right, and if not for Marcello, I'd definitely be his fangirl. Gabi has to come to terms with this too, and really dig deep in her heart to figure out what is what. Torrent is very much Gabi's story, but the other characters - especially her parents and Lia - play a central part in making it complete. And man, but there are some swoon-worthy scenes in Torrent! This may be the most involving novel in the series, for me anyway, as I was kept guessing what would happen next, and how. And yes, I'm being intentionally vague about details, because you have really got to experience this for yourself - it's so much more powerful that way.

I devoured Torrent, just as I did Waterfall and Cascade, and the story developed into all that I wanted it to become and more. My only regret is that there are no more adventures for me to explore - no more Gabi and Marcello, Lia and Luca, no more Lord Greco. Here's hoping that things work out and Lisa is able to continue writing River of Time adventures!

Book provided by my personal library.

Cascade

Cascade
Lisa T Bergren
David Cook, 2011

In case you somehow missed it, I have fallen in love with Lisa Bergren's River of Time series! I got to spend 5 weeks discussing Waterfall with a bunch of other bloggers, and had a blast! There's just one problem: the story is addicting. Have no fear, though! I will happily tease you with the further adventures you will have surfing the River of Time in a post-Waterfall adventure...

Cascade picks up *right* where Waterfall leaves off - something I truly appreciate in a 'sequel.' There's no need to try and figure out what happened in the missing interval, a venture that would be ultra complicated in this case since Gabi and Lia can bounce around history. When the story picks up, they've just successfully returned to their own time - and it's as if no time has passed at all. Yet Gabi's left her heart behind her, and can't return without Lia. After much discussion, and a eureka!-moment to use 'science,' Gabi convinces Lia to use the time tunnel again, this time taking Mom with them. It works.

With all three of the Betarrini ladies in medieval Tuscany, some major adventures can happen. And romance can bloom. Right? Yes, and no. Mom, understandably, experiences some major culture-shock when she realizes that Gabi and Lia had been telling the truth. This is amplified as the story kicks into high gear and she gets to experience first-hand that particular flavor of adventure the girls are apparently used to. That's right: there's more Luca and Marcello goodness, and of course the Fiorentini are up to their old tricks again now that the She-Wolves of Siena have returned. And boy are they up to some tricks! Old enemies return, new ones are met - and is that an actual friend lurking behind enemy lines? Just who is this mysterious - and oh-so-handsome Lord Greco? Only time will tell, and that's something that Gabi and Lia are learning to handle quite deftly.

I loved this as a follow-up and/or continuation of Waterfall. There's drama, there's intrigue, there are suspicious activities and daring feats. There's battle (of course), and romance (duh). The characters are further developed - we get to know them all better, and their relationships with each other are explored further. Lia starts to truly come into her own, adjusting and adapting - even starting to embrace - her place in the medieval world. Luca may be helping with this evolution. Maybe. Of course Marcello is there for Gabi, who finds her heart more and more embroiled in the affairs of this ancient time. Even Mom realizes that there's a place for her in medieval Tuscany - if only...Faced with a massive battle, the Ladies Betarrini must decide if they are to stay or go, and if they go: would it be possible to somehow, some way, save their father's life? Time alone will tell.

Book provided by my personal library.

Waterfall

Waterfall
Lisa T. Bergren
David Cook, 2011

Oh. Em. Gee. In case you have somehow missed my Waterfall Wednesdays posts, let me catch you up to speed: I have fallen in love with this book. And subsequently, with the River of Time series. True confession: I wasn't able to make myself stretch the read over all five weeks. I finished it quickly, but opted to post the review during the last week of Waterfall Wednesdays, to help build anticipation and intrigue. (PS: If you haven't read them, you really should check out the discussion questions from each week: a whole lot of fun, and definitely made my reading experience a richer one.)

Waterfall is a story that takes your wildest dreams and half-imaginings, and explores what would happen if they really happened. Gabi and Lia, two sisters stuck for the summer in Tuscany (poor kids, I should be so lucky!) as their mother excavates an archeology dig, stumble upon a portal of sorts - seemingly custom-made for them - and find themselves 600 years in the past. Right in the heart of medieval Toscana. Waterfall primarily focuses on Gabi's adventures as she tries to find Lia, because they were slightly separated in the transport. Along the way, Gabi meets knights - like, real knights - and comes face-to-face with the often harsh reality of life in the 1342 Italian countryside. Sienna and Florence are in a battle for dominance, and the lords between the two are on the frontlines. Add to that "normal" inter-family drama and human nature? Oh yes, this is an adventure worth having. Did I mention the very amazing knights? Because Marcello and his cousin Luca are definitely worth the read. Just sayin'.

If you've read the Waterfall Wednesdays posts, you have some idea of the story. Rather than repeat myself, I'd like to turn this review into a sort of reflection - try to tell you just what it is about this book that has captured my attention so wholly. Normally, time travel is kind of weird for me, I'm not going to lie. But in this case, it works. Really, really well. Maybe because my History major self would thoroughly appreciate the opportunity that Gabi and Lia stumble upon. Maybe because Lisa handles it in a way that makes it less weird and/or freaky, while still letting it be fantastic. Or maybe because the story itself is so effective. The characters are compelling (and not just because they're gorgeous! Promise!) and real, they're not perfect but they've got good hearts, and learn from their mistakes and their differences. It's Christian fiction without that overwhelming preachy-ness that occurs sometimes - actually, the "Christian" part is an undercurrent, a thread in the story that helps weave things together without becoming the story. And it's natural-feeling, very realistic.

The pace and setting of the story draw you along, teasing and taunting and getting you entirely engrossed and must. find. out. what. happens! Before I finished reading Waterfall, I had already ordered Cascade (book 2), and made plans to get my hands on Torrent as soon as possible. I must know how this story continues and develops, I've got to find out if Gabi and Marcello ever figure out how to make it work; to discover just what Lady Rossi is hiding behind her pretty face and sweet words; to laugh more at Luca and see if Lia can ever comprehend the draw the Forellis have for Gabi.

These books are amazing. That is all.

Book provided by my personal library.