Blog Tour Interview: OUR DARK STARS by Audrey Grey & Krystal Wade

Our Dark Stars by Audrey Grey & Krystal Wade

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction/Fairy Tale Retelling

Publication: March 6th, 2018

While she sleeps, the whole universe changes.

Princess Talia Starchaser has it all. Wealth. Status. Adoring citizens. But on the eve of her eighteenth birthday, she’s forced to publicly betray her best friend, a companion mock she’s had since birth, setting events into motion that lead to the destruction of the humans, and the princess floating through space, a remnant of a time when humans ruled over droids.

One hundred years later, half-mock captain Will Perrault and his ragtag crew discover a device floating in space. When a very human Talia emerges from its depths, Will suspects she’s the key to buying his way back into the regiment he once commanded against the last remaining rebel humans—and the ruling mock queen’s good graces.

Both Talia and Will would rather get space-tossed than trust one another, but with the queen’s forces chasing them across the galaxy and the fate of both worlds hanging in the balance, they’ll forge the unlikeliest of alliances to survive.

Purchase

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About the Authors

Audrey Grey is an award winning and USA Today bestselling author of several books, including the Moonbeam Children’s Award bronze finalist, SHADOW FALL. She lives in the charming state of Oklahoma with her crew: one husband, two little people, four mischievous dogs, and one poor cat. You can usually find Audrey hiding out in her office from said crew, surrounded by books and sipping kombucha while dreaming up wondrous worlds for her characters to live in.

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Krystal Wade is the USA Today bestselling author of six Young Adult Fantasy and creeptastically imagined fairytale books. She can be found in the sluglines outside Washington D.C. every morning, Monday through Friday. With coffee in hand, iPod plugged in, and strangers who sometimes snore, smell, or have incredibly bad gas-sitting next to her, she zones out and thinks of fantastical worlds for you and me to read. How else can she cope with a fifty-mile commute? Good thing she has her husband and three kids to go home to. They keep her sane.

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INTERVIEW

1.      When did you realize that you wanted to become a writer? What was the very first thing you ever wrote?

I’ve wanted to be a writer since I can remember. Even before I could write, I would have my mom help me create these tiny construction paper books. My first story was about a horse and a hat, and I’m sure it was horrible, but I felt so proud after finishing it!

2.     Do you read reviews of your books? What do you do when you read a not-so-nice one?

I do read reviews on occasion, depending on how brave I’m feeling! I try to read the positive reviews, because I realize books are like ice cream—not everyone likes your flavor, and that’s okay. But I appreciate the constructive negative reviews because they tend to point out areas where I can strengthen my book or writing, so they’re actually helpful. If I accidentally stumble across an unusually cruel review, then I message one of my writer buddies and we commiserate together!

3.     What's the one piece of technology you can't live without?

Hmm, that’s a tie between my Keurig coffee maker and my laptop! I need coffee to function, but I need my laptop to make the magic happen!

4.     Who is your literary hero?

George R. R. Martin is my literary hero! I devoured his A Song of Ice and Fire series, and I find his story so compelling. He’s also taken years to hone his craft, which I find incredibly inspirational.

5.     Describe yourself in 3 words.

The three words I’d use to describe myself are adventurous, kind, and silly.

6.    Do you have a book in your house that's just destroyed because you've read it so much?

So I have this really old, sad paperback of WATERSHIP DOWN that I found at a garage sale when I was young. I’ve read that book countless times, and each time it speaks to my heart in a different way.

7.     Who designed your cover?

Molly Phipps of We Got You Covered designed OUR DARK STARS and she did a fabulous job! I was blown away the second I saw the mock up for the cover.

8.    What is your favorite holiday?

I adore Christmas! Everyone starts treating others with kindness, and there’s just something in the air that can only be described as the Christmas spirit (I fully admit that’s a cheesy line!) Then there’s the snow, the traditions, the songs. I look forward to Christmas every year!

9.     Cat or Dog?

Dog! I have four rescue dogs, so my house is overrun with the furry little jerks (whom I love with all my heart.) They’re like naughty children, constantly getting into the trash or doing something bad, but at the end of the day, they’re my fur kids and I adore them!

10.   Coffee or Tea?

Coffee trumps tea any day of the week! I’m actually drinking my second cup now . . .

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Review: Amid Stars and Darkness by Chani Lynn Feener

Amid Stars and Darkness by Chani Lynn Feener
Paperback, 375 pages
Publication: July 18th, 2017 by Swoon Reads

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If anyone had ever asked Delaney Grace what her plans were after high school, she certainly wouldn't have answered, "getting kidnapped". Unfortunately, that's exactly what happens. As if that wasn't enough, turns out the man kidnapping her isn't a local. He's from another planet. In a twisted case of mistaken identity, Delaney is taken to a foreign world where she's forced to pretend to be an alien princess. If she can pull it off long enough for the real princess to be found, she'll get to go home, if she doesn't, she risks enslaving the entire human race. Tricking the princess's betrothed, Trystan, isn't going to be easy, but not falling for Ruckus, her accidental kidnapper, might be an even bigger feat. Especially when the three of them get caught up in a deadly game of truth or dare. Will Delaney be able to pull off the acting job of a lifetime, or will she ultimately be the cause of a massive war? One the human race most likely won't survive. 

I have mixed feelings about Amid Stars and Darkness, but at the end of the day I have to say I really enjoyed it!

The characters were quite entertaining. Delaney is snarky and tough. Her lack of self-preservation could have been the death of her a handful of times, but she just doesn’t stop, and I loved that. You tell ‘em, girl! I liked Ruckus well enough, but I have to say I found Trystan more compelling as a character.

Now, I will say there are some things I would have liked to have seen done differently. The world building leaves much to be desired, for one. I also wish there had been more depth to the story. I think this had the potential to be multi-layered and phenomenal, but at the end of the day it’s lacking that umph. Ultimately, it’s just a light fun read that happens to involve space and aliens. 

Did Amid Stars and Darkness blow me away? No. But do I recommend it? Absolutely. It was an entertaining read and though I’d hoped for a bit more, I can’t help but smile when I think about this one.

Review: The Vanishing Girl (The Vanishing Girl #1) by Laura Thalassa

The Vanishing Girl (The Vanishing Girl #1)
By Laura Thalassa
Ebook 287 pages
Publication March 15, 2014
Lavabrook Publishing Group

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Every night after Ember Pierce falls asleep, she disappears. She can teleport anywhere in the world—London, Paris, her crush’s bedroom—wherever her dreams lead her. Ten minutes is all she gets, and once time’s up, she returns to her bed. It's a secret she’s successfully kept for the last five years. But now someone knows.

A week after her eighteenth birthday, when frustratingly handsome Caden Hawthorne captures her, delivers her to the government, and then disappears before her eyes, Ember realizes two things: One, she is not alone. And two, people like her—teleporters—are being used as weapons.

Dragged off to a remote facility where others like her live, Ember’s forced to pair up with her former captor, Caden, to learn how to survive inside until she can escape. Only Caden’s making escape seem less and less appealing.

But even as Ember falls for the boy who got her into this mess, she knows that she is running out of time. Because the government has plans for those like her, and those plans might just cost Ember her life.

Okay, so this book is kind of crazy. Ember is an experiment, essentially. She's a young girl who has special abilities and she had no idea she wasn't the only one until the day the government came knocking on her door. She's then taken away from her family and whisked off to a secret facility.

I just want to say real quick that I can't really believe what the government is making these kids do. Like, these are teenagers. They're still kids. They're being sent into dangerous situations with no regard for their young lives. I mean, actually, I guess I can believe what the government is making them do. I'm not sure if this book was supposed to be a metaphor, but that's how I related to it, personally. But that's just me. You may get something completely different out of it than I did.

I also think, on some level that The Vanishing girl could be classified as a YA, or possibly coming of age. I kind of veered away from thinking of it as a YA because there is sex in it. I liked this story. I kind of had to put it out of my mind that these were just kids. It wasn't hard, the author did well in not always reminding us that these were just teenagers, though it was right at the back of my mind throughout the story. Of course they are mature. They have to be. They have to learn how to navigate very adult situations. So there is a bit of action in the book.

The story ends on a huge cliffhanger. I don't mind a cliffhanger, especially since I'm a series reader. I know they're just par for the course, but I wanted to make that clear. If you don't mind a cliffy, and you're one of the people who don't mind buying another book to finish a good story, I'd recommend The Vanishing Girl. If you're a cliffy hater, maybe skip this one. But personally, I'm going to get myself the second book asap.

Review & Giveaway: #DefyTheStars by Claudia Gray + $25 Gift Card!

Defy the Stars by Claudia Gray
Hardcover, 512 pages
Publication: April 4th, 2017 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Noemi Vidal is a teen soldier from the planet Genesis, once a colony of Earth that's now at war for its independence. The humans of Genesis have fought Earth's robotic "mech" armies for decades with no end in sight.

After a surprise attack, Noemi finds herself stranded in space on an abandoned ship where she meets Abel, the most sophisticated mech prototype ever made. One who should be her enemy. But Abel's programming forces him to obey Noemi as his commander, which means he has to help her save Genesis--even though her plan to win the war will kill him.

Together they embark on a daring voyage through the galaxy. Before long, Noemi begins to realize Abel may be more than a machine, and, for his part, Abel's devotion to Noemi is no longer just a matter of programming.

"Sometimes she wishes she could turn herself inside out. That way people would see the good in her before they saw the bad."

Defy the Stars was a lot of fun! It didn’t blow me away, but I did enjoy it.

Defy the Stars is written in alternating perspectives. Claudia Gray does a good job of creating characters that are realistic for both their circumstances and their ages. Though this is YA, neither of the main characters are your typical teenager, and they both have responsibilities that you obviously aren’t going to find in reality. However, she does a good job of capturing the youthfulness of their ages, and balancing that with their motivations, which are dictated by their circumstances. I enjoyed both of their perspectives, and enjoyed watching them grow as characters.

Though the world-building and story didn’t absolutely blow me away, I did enjoy following these character from one planet and culture to another. Noemi and Abel are on a mission, while also running for their lives, and this made for a lot of juicy tension.

I enjoyed the start to this new series by Ms. Gray, and I look forward to seeing where else it takes us.

 

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Comment below and let us know what YA Sci-Fi novels you would recommend we pick up!

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Review: Shadow Run by Adrianne Strickland & Michael Miller (+Giveaway)

SHADOW RUN
by Adrianne Strickland & Michael Miller
Hardcover, 400 pages
Expected publication: March 21st 2017
by Delacorte Press

"Firefly" meets DUNE in this action-packed sci-fi adventure about a close-knit, found family of a crew navigating a galaxy of political intrigue and resource-driven power games.

Nev has just joined the crew of the starship Kaitan Heritage as the cargo loader. His captain, Qole, is the youngest-ever person to command her own ship, but she brooks no argument from her crew of orphans, fugitives, and con men. Nev can’t resist her, even if her ship is an antique.

As for Nev, he’s a prince, in hiding on the ship. He believes Qole holds the key to changing galactic civilization, and when her cooperation proves difficult to obtain, Nev resolves to get her to his home planet by any means necessary.

But before they know it, a rival royal family is after Qole too, and they’re more interested in stealing her abilities than in keeping her alive.

Nev’s mission to manipulate Qole becomes one to save her, and to survive, she’ll have to trust her would-be kidnapper. He may be royalty, but Qole is discovering a deep reservoir of power—and stars have mercy on whoever tries to hurt her ship or her crew.

Review: Defy The Stars by Claudia Gray

DEFY THE STARS
by Claudia Gray
Hardcover, 512 pages
Expected publication: April 4th 2017
by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

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In her most epic and ambitious work to date, bestselling author Claudia Gray takes readers on an interstellar journey exploring what it means to be human.

Noemi Vidal is a teen soldier from the planet Genesis, once a colony of Earth that's now at war for its independence. The humans of Genesis have fought Earth's robotic "mech" armies for decades with no end in sight.

After a surprise attack, Noemi finds herself stranded in space on an abandoned ship where she meets Abel, the most sophisticated mech prototype ever made. One who should be her enemy. But Abel's programming forces him to obey Noemi as his commander, which means he has to help her save Genesis--even though her plan to win the war will kill him.

Together they embark on a daring voyage through the galaxy. Before long, Noemi begins to realize Abel may be more than a machine, and, for his part, Abel's devotion to Noemi is no longer just a matter of programming.

I have not read anything like DEFY THE STARS and am so glad I was given the chance to read it before release in April 2017. You are going to devour this one! I promise you!
From page one I could tell Noemi was going to be a strong, well-written character. I immediately connected with her. Noemi was on a mission and would see it through no matter the cost. She was fearless!

The story starts with instant action. I was pulled in immediately and knew that everything else was going to be put on hold until I was done reading. From page one I could tell Noemi was going to be a strong, well-written character. I immediately connected with her. Noemi was on a mission and would see it through no matter the cost. She was so brave! 

One thing I think I enjoyed the most was the relationship between Abel and Noemi. From the moment they meet I felt their connection. The more I kept reading it was like they were best friends. There wasn’t much romance until the near end. It’s a slow burn and I loved it! There were times I completely forgot that Abel was a mech. His struggles as a mech, and all the emotions he was experiencing helped me connect with him. I could not wait to finish the story to see how everything turned out for both Noemi and Abel. I was very happy with how everything ended. I can easily picture this story as a TV series on The CW.

DEFY THE STARS is one story I will not forget. I truly hope there is a sequel because I would love to know more about Noemi and Abel. If you are not a sci-fi fan, I still think you should give DEFY THE STARS a shot! It’s fast paced, and very easy to follow. You won’t feel like you’re in a Star Trek episode, I promise.

5 Stars!

Available for pre-order today!

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More books by Claudia Gray: http://www.claudiagray.com/books/