artsy musings of a bibliophile

Review: Night Sky by Jolene Perry Blog Tour

March 20, 2012 by Sana

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Title: Night Sky
Author: Jolene Perry
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Publisher: Tribute Books
Release Date: 1 March 2012
Pages: 247 (eBook)

Synopsis

After losing Sarah, the friend he’s loved, to some other guy, Jameson meets Sky. Her Native American roots, fluid movements, and need for brutal honesty become addictive fast. This is good. Jameson needs distraction – his dad leaves for another woman, his mom’s walking around like a zombie, and Sarah’s new boyfriend can’t keep his hands off of her.

As he spends time with Sky and learns about her village, her totems, and her friends with drums – she’s way more than distraction. Jameson’s falling for her fast.

But Sky’s need for honesty somehow doesn’t extend to her life story – and Jameson just may need more than his new girl to keep him distracted from the disaster of his senior year.

My Rating

* * * *

The Review

Wow, this year I get to read books that have an unpredictable story-lines and Night Sky was no exception. The book is told entirely from Jameson’s point of view and man, did I like that! Jameson is a very tall, sensitive, hot guy who likes to sit in the bottom of his swimming pool to reflect, listen to 90s grunge music and think way more than he should. I was sucked into the book right from the first line. “I push my way through the masses of dancing couples, out the heavy doors of the school, and stop. Now I can breathe.”

The problems Jameson’s had to face and things he had to overcome, he wouldn’t have really guessed those at all which makes reading Night Sky all the more exciting. On the other hand, I am not really sure what to think about Sarah. Yes I felt bad that she chose Eric, the star quarterback, over Jameson but that’s just about it. I didn’t like Sarah because she didn’t fight for something she needn’t fight for in the first place.

Then there’s Sky. Sky who made reading the book for me a very engrossing experience. She kept me on my toes with what she was going to do next as much as she did Jameson’s. The honesty rule was something fresh in her relationship with Jameson and it definitely gave an edge to Night Sky. I wish I could read more about her and her native roots.

Reading about Jameson’s parents and his day-to-day life was also great as it told a lot about how Jameson lived his life and how he is as a person. I liked how everything turned out for him and how his relationship with his Mon is so easy-going and relaxed. Night Sky is so much more than just romance, it’s about standing up and the struggle it requires to keep your honesty in check. With Jameson’s parents working at a casino and their weird meal timings, Night Sky managed to bring out the best of all worlds.

Up until the end, Jolene Perry managed to hold an air of mystery and I am very glad she did that. Moreover, the title of the book, Night Sky, has a meaning behind it and well, it’s a beautiful title. Overall, Night Sky is a great read and I would highly recommend it to readers of contemporary YA.

Best Quote:

“One thing I know is—everyone has impulses, but you don’t have to act on them. At some point, you make a decision and that decision means you meant to do something. Don’t give me any crap about not meaning to do things.”

About the Author

Jolene grew up in Wasilla, Alaska. She graduated from Southern Utah University with a degree in political science and French, which she used to teach math to middle schoolers.

After living in Washington, Utah and Las Vegas, she now resides in Alaska with her husband, and two children. Aside from writing, Jolene sews, plays the guitar, sings when forced, and spends as much time outside as possible.

She is also the author of The Next Door Boys and the upcoming Knee Deep.

Jolene Perry can be found at

Review: Tundra 37 by Aubrie Dionne Blog Tour

March 14, 2012 by Sana

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Title: Tundra 37 (A New Dawn, #2)
Author: Aubrie Dionne
Genre: Science Fiction, Romance
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Release Date: 7 February 20
Pages: 288 (eBook)

Synopsis

Gemme is a hi-tech matchmaker who pairs the next generation of Lifers aboard the Expedition, a deep space transport vessel destined for Paradise 18. When the identity of her lifemate pops up on her screen, she’s shocked that he’s the achingly gorgeous and highly sought after Lieutenant Miles Brentwood—a man oblivious to her existence. Believing everyone will think she contrived the match, she erases it from the computer’s memory.

Just as comets pummel the ship and destroy the pairing system forever.

With the Expedition disabled, the colonists must crash land on the barren ice world of Tundra 37 where Gemme is reassigned to an exploratory mission, led by Lieutenant Brentwood. Only in the frozen tundra does she understand the shape of his heart and why the computer has entwined their destinies.

My Rating

* * * *

The Review

It was simply an astoundingly melancholic and an unlikely emotional experience for me to read Tundra 37. So, to say that Tundra 37 is an unpredictable read would be an understatement. I didn’t expect the book to tug at my heartstrings. The book really made me appreciate the life on Earth more than anything else. All the loss and the madness that then ensues longing and deprivation is enough to make anyone lose their minds.

The story of Tundra 37 is not limited to the protagonists alone. The twin sisters aboard the Expedition, known as Seers, play an important role in the story as well. This is where the unpredictability kicks in. Without giving much away, the way the memories connected with the orb blew me away. The flashbacks to Old Earth painted a very vivid picture which made reading those scenes very engrossing.

Gemme, with her job as a Matchmaker, is a determined women and a true Lifer which is why she gives preference to predestination over choice and organization over chaos. But life certainly has entirely something else in store for her starting from her pairing with Brentwood, one of the Lieutenants on board the Expedition. Then she lands a job as an explorer from a matchmaker, talk about a makeover!

Brentwood, on the other hand, has his whole life laid out for him and has never expected more than that. So when something beyond their control happens, altering their course and the foundation of their mission, Brentwood is left to be the leader of his people.

But the question remains, is it enough to go through with what destiny seems to have chosen for them and not merely computers? From then on, Tundra 37 plunges into the heart of the ice on the planet making it a fast-paced book with never a dull moment in between. The life of the Seers still has me reeling in unbelief. I would highly recommend this book to lovers of science fiction and to everyone else simply because the book has a lot of elements of humanity and the value of human life.

Best Quote:

“The moment felt inevitable, each second pulsing forward to bring them here, at the edge of this world, at the beginning of their own.”

Aubrie Dionne can be found at

Review: Paradise 21 by Aubrie Dionne Blog Tour

March 10, 2012 by Sana

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Title: Paradise 21 (A New Dawn, #1)
Author: Aubrie Dionne
Genre: Science Fiction, Romance
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Release Date: 2 August 2011
Pages: 228 (eBook)

Synopsis

Aries has lived her entire life aboard mankind’s last hope, the New Dawn, a spaceship traveling toward a planet where humanity can begin anew—a planet that won’t be reached in Aries’ lifetime. As one of the last genetically desirable women in the universe, she must marry her designated genetic match and produce the next generation for this centuries-long voyage.

But Aries has other plans.

When her desperate escape from the New Dawn strands her on a desert planet, Aries discovers the rumors about pirates—humans who escaped Earth before its demise—are true. Handsome, genetically imperfect Striker possesses the freedom Aries envies, and the two connect on a level she never thought possible. But pursued by her match from above and hunted by the planet’s native inhabitants, Aries quickly learns her freedom will come at a hefty price.

The life of the man she loves.

My Rating

* * * *

The Review

What attracted me towards Paradise 21 was the synopsis, I haven’t read much sci-fi books and this one seemed good enough to read. So despite the cover which seems to scream steamy romance, I was hooked from the first sentence.

Matched with a manipulating, power-hungry Barliss to preserve the gene pool aboard New Dawn, Aries Ryder couldn’t have it worse. She is not your typical heroine; because even though she is a first class Lifer on New Dawn, she wants out. So she plans her escape and lands onto a deadened planet Sahara 354. Little does she know what’s in store for her; from lizard men who have a habit of stealing to the giant sandworm ready for a kill.

Luckily, for her, there’s Striker abandoned by his fellow pirates on Sahara 354 five years ago. And he’s not only good at surviving in the desert; he has a much bigger plan. An alien ship that crashed into Sahara 354 along with the eggs that won’t hatch is the only hope for their survival and escape from Sahara 354 and land on Refuge.

The two fall into an easy companionship, but they don’t have much time because it’s centuries after Earth disintegrated and technology has far since taken on a new meaning. So it wouldn’t take long for Barliss, to whom Aries is bequeathed, to come out looking for her with the help of her locator and what not. And then there’s the ex-fellow pirate, Drifter and the ex-girlfriend, Tiff who may have found the hidden map to Refuge. But they need Striker to decode it.

Paradise 21 is a fast-paced read, so you never lose interest because there’s something happening at all times. It’s admirable to see the strong protagonists and the world-building is awe-inspiring as I could actually imagine the universe after earth. All the betrayal, the fight for life, the concern about gene pool, remnants of the old Earth and the journey towards Paradise 21 come together in unpredictable ways. The book seems to have it all.

Best Quote:

“The world’s a tough place, and the universe is colder still.”

Aubrie Dionne can be found at

Review: Intuition by J. Meyers

March 7, 2012 by Sana

Title: Intuition

Author: J. Meyers

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal

Publisher: J. Meyers

Release Date: 17 October 2011

Pages: 18 (eBook)

Synopsis

Intuition: A Bonus INTANGIBLE Short Story

Luke and his twin sister Sera have unusual abilities. Hers is a gift—she can heal with a touch of her hand. His is a curse—he can see the future but he can’t do anything about it.

On a hike up the mountain, Luke has a vision unlike any other—one that leaves him terrified. Knowing that it will come true—and that he must do everything in his power to stop it—leaves his own future uncertain.

My Rating

* * * *

The Review

Intuition is a prequel novella to Intangible and it’s very short. The synopsis of Intangible had me intrigued and when I discovered that it has a free prequel, I was all for it!

I am glad I read Intuition, the whole concept seems very different from the usual paranormal young adult books out there and the covers are pretty, too. Intuition started off with Luke feeling the impending doom and urging the feeling to take over him. He can see the future. He and Sera, his twin sister, then start out for their traditional hike to Mt. Mansfield where Luke has two visions. The first takes some healing from Sera while, the second vision terrifies Luke.

Who was the person Luke saw in his vision? And why doesn’t he want to tell Sera about it, yet? This is what Intangible would answer and I am hoping, it would be with a dash of some action!

Best Quote:

“It felt so big up here. Earth. The world. But it didn’t make Luke feel small—he felt as if he were a part of it all. Connected. Necessary.”

Review: Oppression by Jessica Therrien Blog Tour + Giveaway

March 4, 2012 by Sana

ABOUT THE BOOK
Oppression by Jessica Therrien
young adult fantasy published by ZOVA on 28 February 2012

first book in the Children of the Gods series

Elyse knows what it means to keep a secret. She’s been keeping secrets her whole life. Two, actually. First, that she ages five times slower than the average person, so that while she looks eighteen years old, she’s closer to eighty. Second, that her blood has a mysterious power to heal.

For Elyse, these things don’t make her special. They make life dangerous. After the death of her parents, she’s been careful to keep her secret as closely guarded as possible. Now, only one other person in the world knows about her age and ability.

Or so she thinks.

Elyse is not the only one keeping secrets. There are others like her all over the world, descendants of the very people the Greeks considered gods. She is one of them, and they have been waiting for her.

Among so many of her kind, she should not be very remarkable–except for the prophecy. Some believe she will put an end to centuries of traditions, safeguarded by violence, which have oppressed her people for centuries. Others are determined to keep her from doing just that. But for Elyse, the game is just beginning–and she’s not entirely willing to play by their rules.

THE RATING

THE REVIEW

Once in a while you get to read a book that completely and utterly takes your breath away. Oppression was that kind of a book for me. It is just perfect the way it is and I never expected it to be so good. I am so glad I got to read it! Elyse and William, the protagonists, go through such character development that it is astounding to see them grow to adjust in a flow.

Elyse is such a beautiful name for the heroine (although, I read in an interview of the author that at first, it was supposed to be Ruth which, in my opinion, is equally beautiful). Whereas, William is the kind of a guy who has a perfect combination of everything from emotions to the take on life. I love it when the characters offer an aura of mystery and depth to the reader. I could actually feel why Elyse did what she does and why William thought like he did. The rest of the characters gave a little to the story as well and build it up so well that it felt good to read about them all. I actually am in anticipation of how things will go for the Descendants from now.

The prophecy and the oppression that has been a part of life for the likes of her makes things dangerous for Elyse, William and the others. But is Elyse willing to play by their rules? Think again because she’s one hell of a tough girl when she wants to be. I never liked a female protagonist more than I like Elyse. William is charming and a perfect hero to read about. I liked reading about the scenes involving the persuasion.

I took Mythology a year back but reading Oppression made me fall in love with it all over again and seeing what Jessica Therrien did with it is just awe-inspiring. I never could stop reading and well, I finished the latter half in a single sitting! Each of the powers are so creatively thought up from their respective ancestors that it is very enjoyable to read about them.

Oppression is a beautiful start to an awesome series and it offers so much potential to grow in a universe of its own. The ending is just perfect and is a complete story as far as the first book goes. Jessica Therrien created a universe that I would love to read about. A new favorite of mine, and one of the bests 2012 has to offer, I highly recommend Oppression to fans of young adult fantasy.

THE QUOTES

‘The oracle can see all things that will be, but only the things that will cause profound change stay in the forefront of her mind, things that will change the course of the future. It’s a hard job, knowing what will happen. When things don’t play out the way they should, do you watch the sequence of unfavorable events unfold or do you step in and try and change the tide?’

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jessica Therrien is the author of Oppression, book one in her YA paranormal romance/adventure series, Children of the Gods. Oppression was published by ZOVA Books in February of 2012.

Jessica is a graduate of San Diego State University. She lived in Taiwan for a year where she learned Chinese, but she lives in Chula Vista now, where everyone speaks Spanish instead. Although she spends most days in a cubicle at her day job, her alter ego is a writer, who loves the arts with a passion.

Jessica is currently writing book two in her Children of the Gods series.

Jessica Therrien can be found at

Buy Oppression (Children of the Gods, #1)

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