Book Blast + Giveaway: Vortex by S.J. Kincaid

About The Book:
Release Date: July 2, 2013
Genre: Dystopian, Young Adult
Series: Insignia #2

The impossible was just the beginning. Now in their second year as superhuman government weapons-in-training at the Pentagonal Spire, Tom Raines and his friends are mid-level cadets in the elite combat corps known as the Intrasolar Forces. But as training intensifies and a moment arrives that could make or break his entire career, Tom’s loyalties are again put to the test.

Encouraged to betray his ideals and friendships for the sake of his country, Tom is convinced there must be another way. And the more aware he becomes of the corruption surrounding him, the more determined he becomes to fight it, even if he sabotages his own future in the process.

Drawn into a power struggle more dramatic than he has ever faced before, Tom stays a hyperintelligent step ahead of everyone, like the exceptional gamer he is—or so he believes. But when he learns that he and his friends have unwittingly made the most grievous error imaginable, Tom must find a way to outwit an enemy so nefarious that victory seems hopeless. Will his idealism and bravado cost him everything—and everyone that matters to him?

Filled with action and intelligence, camaraderie and humor, the second book in S.J. Kincaid’s futuristic World War III Insignia trilogy continues to explore fascinating and timely questions about power, politics, technology, loyalty, and friendship.

Find The Book:
( Amazon ! Barnes & Noble ! Book Depository ! Goodreads )

About The Author:

S.J. Kincaid was born in Alabama, grew up in California, and attended high school in New Hampshire, but it was while living beside a haunted graveyard in Scotland, that she realized that she wanted to be a writer. Her debut, Insignia, came out in July of 2012. The second book in the series, Vortex came out in July of 2013. The final book in the INSIGNIA trilogy will come out in Fall of 2014.

Find The Author:

( Goodreads ! Website ! Facebook ! Twitter )

Giveaway

1 winner will receive a copy of Vortex by S.J. Kincaid

Must be 13+ to enter

International Giveaway

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Taste of Darkness by Maria V. Snyder

Reading Level: Ages 12 and up
Paperback: 458 Pages
Release Date: December 31, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin
Narration: First Person: Avry
                Third Person: Kerrick
Genre: Fantasy/Magic
Source: Library
Trailer: Click Here

The Healer Series
Book One: Touch of Power
Book Two: Scent of Magic
Book Three: Taste of Darkness

Order On Amazon: Paperback
                               Kindle
Order On Barnes and Noble:
Hardcover and Nook

Author's
Goodreads  Website  Facebook

Goodreads Synopsis:

She's fought death and won. But how can she fight her fears?

Avry knows hardship and trouble. She fought the plague and survived. She took on King Tohon and defeated him. But now her heart-mate, Kerrick, is missing, and Avry fears he's gone forever.

But there's a more immediate threat: The Skeleton King plots to claim the Fifteen Realms for his own. With armies in disarray and the dead not staying down, Avry's healing powers are needed now more than ever.

Torn between love and loyalty, Avry must choose her path carefully. For the future of her world depends on her decision.

My Review:

Cover Thoughts: I like this cover a lot more than the UK edition. At first glance, it may seem like just another one of those covers with girls starting off dramatically into the distance, but the lilies at least bear relevance to the plot. I didn't see much importance of the cup in the novel, but I get how it ties in with the title. A Taste of Darkness. Get it? Witty.

I had a really rough start with Taste of Darkness, which is unusual since Snyder is one of my favorite authors. There wasn't anything necessarily wrong with the beginning. It was just hard to get into, because I only remembered a few of the main characters. It's been a while since this series began, so this didn't surprise me. I saw a few attempts here and there to jog the reader's memory on past events, but overall, my knowledge was limited. Because of this, I had to constantly stop and wonder about who this character and that character was. This really messed up my reading flow. However, after I reached page 150, things got smoother. I started to remember some of the minor characters and got the general gist of the characters that didn't have much of a role. 

The humor wasn't as funny as it used to be. To be honest, I was a little disappointed with it. There were a lot of jabs and pointed remarks between the characters, but I wasn't feeling it. The majority of the jokes had me rolling my eyes or facepalming. 

“But they fight in the name of the creator." 

"I don't care if they fight in the name of broccoli. The goal remains the same.”

This was the funniest line in the book. Depressing, isn't it?

Adding to my irritation, it also seemed like there were countless times when other characters shockingly remarked of how brave or how awesome or intelligent Avry was, when in fact, her brilliant "epiphany" was something that anyone could've figured out. For example, there was this one time when Odd, a renowned sergeant in an army marveled at how general like Avry was when she suggested contingency plans for a mission. Dude. Your a sergeant. You should ALWAYS have a backup plan if something goes wrong. It shouldn't be up to someone else to tell you.  

The writing also grated on my nerves. I'm not sure if it's just that I've grown as a reader or because the author's writing style changed, but it felt rough and disjointed. Many things were explained weirdly, to the point where I still don't know what it was trying to say. And other sentences felt awkward on my tongue. 

Other then that, I enjoyed the novel. It wasn't as good as I had hoped, but it didn't feel like a waste of time either. Snyder wrapped things up nicely, although I do wish we got to know more about Belen, Flea, and the monkeys at the end of the novel.

Cover- 4/5

Heroine- 3/5

Romance- 3/5 Meh.

Action- 3/5
Humor- 2/5 There were a lot of failed attempts.

Writing- 2.5/5 Awkward writing.
Setting- 4/5 Your everyday fantasy landscape, but the lilies are unique.

Overall- 3/5

Waiting On Wednesday (36)

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we can't wait to get our hands on!

This week's WoW is Embers & Ash by T.M. Goeglein.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Sara Jane Rispoli is on the wrong side of the Russian mob, but closer to finding her family than ever. And she's willing to do whatever it takes to finally end this terrible journey even if the price is her own life.

The very cold fury that has seen her through the worst of her troubles is now killing her; she knows the cure, but she can't sacrifice the deadly electricity until she's rescued her family. But when she finally does rescue them, it's not the happy reunion she pictured. And the torment doesn't stop there, not even when she finally discovers Ultimate Power. Only destroying the Outfit completely can end this terrible nightmare.

Old enemies return to seek vengeance, double-crosses abound, and even more mysteries are uncovered as we rocket toward an end no one saw coming.

My Thoughts:

I wasn't expecting to enjoy this series when I got it. Primarily because I thought it was a pure contemporary novel, a genre that I'm admittedly not too fond of. However, even though this series is mostly contemporary, it does have a smidge of paranormal in it, which was something that I was pleasantly surprised with. I definitely recommend this series. There's not nearly enough hype for it.

Extra Information:

Release Date: July 10, 2014

Hardcover: 336 Pages

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

Genre: Contemporary/Superpowers

The Cold Fury Trilogy:

Book One: Cold Fury

Book Two: Flicker & Burn

Book Three: Embers & Ashes

How about you? What book are you waiting on this Wednesday?