[Book Blitz] Strange and Ever After by Susan Dennard + Giveaway

IFB is hosting the promo tour for the third and final book in Susan Dennard's steampunk, zombie trilogy. Continue below for a sample and a cool giveaway.

Series: Something Strange & Deadly #3

Release date: July 22nd 2014

Publisher: HarperTeen

Purchase: Amazon | B&N

Synopsis via Goodreads:

In the conclusion to the trilogy that Publishers Weekly called “a roaring—and addictive—gothic world,” Eleanor Fitt must control her growing power, face her feelings for Daniel, and confront the evil necromancer Marcus...all before it’s too late.
He took her brother, he took her mother, and now, Marcus has taken her good friend Jie. With more determination than ever to bring this sinister man to justice, Eleanor heads to the hot desert streets of nineteenth-century Egypt in hopes of ending this nightmare. But in addition to her increasingly tense relationships with Daniel, Joseph, and her demon, Oliver, Eleanor must also deal with her former friend, Allison, who has curiously entangled herself in Eleanor’s mission.
With the rising dead chomping at her every move and Jie’s life hanging in the balance, Eleanor is convinced that her black magic will see her through to the bitter end. But there will be a price. Though she and the Spirit Hunters have weathered every battle thus far, there will be consequences to suffer this time—the effects of which will be irreversible. And when it’s over, only some will be able to live a strange and ever after.
Susan Dennard will leave readers breathless and forever changed in the concluding pages of this riveting ride.

Susan Dennard is a writer turned marine biologist turned writer again. Strange and Ever After is the conclusion to her trilogy, which includes A Darkness Strange and Lovely and Something Strange and Deadly. Among the traits she shares with her heroine Eleanor are a weakness for Shakespeare quotes, a healthy appetite for baked goods, and an insatiable curiosity. Sadly, Susan does not get to wear a corset or wave a parasol on a daily basis.

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{Review} Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen

Title: Scarlet (Scarlet #1)
Author: A.C. Gaughen
Publisher: Walker Children's
Genre: Young Adult, Retelling, Fantasy
Release Date: February 14, 2012
Source: Publisher
Purchase: Amazon | TBD | Kobo | B&N

Many readers know the tale of Robin Hood, but they will be swept away by this new version full of action, secrets, and romance.

Posing as one of Robin Hood’s thieves to avoid the wrath of the evil Thief Taker Lord Gisbourne, Scarlet has kept her identity secret from all of Nottinghamshire. Only the Hood and his band know the truth: the agile thief posing as a whip of a boy is actually a fearless young woman with a secret past. Helping the people of Nottingham outwit the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham could cost Scarlet her life as Gisbourne closes in.

It’s only her fierce loyalty to Robin—whose quick smiles and sharp temper have the rare power to unsettle her—that keeps Scarlet going and makes this fight worth dying for.

Scarlet was one of those books that took me by surprise actually. I remember it was one of those books I simply couldn't wait to get my hands on just because of the cover. (Yes, I pick out books based on covers mostly.) I remember wanting to read it really badly and then the thrill was over for me. I don't know why, I guess I got consumed with all the other books that I had piling up. Then, one day this past week, it was just staring me in the face and I knew that I had to dust it off and start reading it. Very glad that I did.

I have always like the fact of Robin Hood. You know, taking from the rich and giving to the poor. He was always so valiant and brooding.  I grew up watching the Disney movie and saw the movies Robin Hood: Men In Tights (one too many times) and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (absolutely loved Christian Slater in this movie). I have always wanted to read the stories about Robin Hood however.

I liked how the writer put a twist on Will Scarlet. I didn't expect Scarlet to be who she was in the end though. I also expected a different ending to the story, but was glad that the ending I had in mind didn't happen.

The characters were likable. I really enjoyed Robin's character and Scarlet's. They were both so strong in their own ways, but it was the character of Much I enjoyed so much more. He wasn't the brute strength to the band and he wasn't the mad scientist type. He was the calmer, more reserved type person. And he wanted to be so much more than what he was. I truly admired him in this book.

The story was pretty great. I especially liked how the sheriff was far more darker then the movies made him out to be. Would love to know how the original book made him out. Gisbourne was a nice twist to the tale and so was the true identity of Scarlet. Reading the dialect throughout the book made me feel like I was living it and speaking it. I imagined Sherwood Forest like this huge area with nothing but tree houses and ropes swings. But maybe that's because I watched the movies too much.

I highly recommend this book to people ages 14 and up, who loved excitement and adventure.

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Review: The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Iron Knight

Author: Julie Kagawa

Publisher: Harlequin TEEN

Edition: Paperback, 361
Genre: YA, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance

Release Date: October 25th 2011
Series: Iron Fey

Source: purchased paperback

Summary (from Goodreads)

Ash, former prince of the Winter Court, gave up everything. His title, his home, even his vow of loyalty. All for a girl… and all for nothing.

Unless he can earn a soul.

To cold, emotionless faery prince Ash, love was a weakness for mortals and fools. His own love had died a horrible death, killing any gentler feelings the Winter prince might have had. Or so he thought.

Then Meghan Chase—a half human, half fey slip of a girl— smashed through his barricades, binding him to her irrevocably with his oath to be her knight. And when all of Faery nearly fell to the Iron fey, she severed their bond to save his life. Meghan is now the Iron Queen, ruler of a realm where no Winter or Summer fey can survive.

With the (unwelcome) company of his arch-rival, Summer Court prankster Puck, and the infuriating cait sith Grimalkin, Ash begins a journey he is bound to see through to its end— a quest to find a way to honor his solemn vow to stand by Meghan’s side.

To survive in the Iron realm, Ash must have a soul and a mortal body. But the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible. At least, no one has ever passed to tell the tale.

And then Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that turns reality upside down, challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.

My Review:

I just want to start off by saying, this has got to be THE BEST Iron Fey series book thus far! I loved all of Julie Kagawa's Iron Fey books, but this one has to be my favorite. The tension between Puck and Ash was, as always, hilarious. They kept each other afloat through the whole book, and you could see how loyal they were towards each other. You also learned about Ash, and his past, and what makes Ash, Ash.

Ash's loyalty towards Megan was amazing, even after his surprise encounter with a past 'friend'. He sought his journey through to the very end, with a few bumps along the way. He encountered the Wolf yet again, and he was pretty funny with his and Grimalkin's encounters, always bashing each other. And, as always, Grimalkin just reminds me so much of the Cheshire Cat from Alice In Wonderland, just popping in and out of sight.

I love how she (Julie Kagawa) described Ash's past and gave us, the readers, a better understanding of why Ash is just Ash. You got to see his temper, his love and his fears as the cold hard exterior of the Winter Prince started to fade and melt away.

Puck delivered a great performance as the ever comedic faerie he is. Just a great comic relief that had me laughing many times throughout the book.

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars because of great writing Kagawa delivers again, I can't wait to read more of her work.

Star Rating:

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