Mundie Moms

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Book Review/Blog Tour: Eden by Keary Taylor



Welcome to today's stop in the Eden Blog Tour. I'm excited to share with you my review for Keary Taylor's newest release as well as host a giveaway for an e-book of Eden! 




Published by: Self
To Be Released on: June 6th, 2012
Source: e-book from author
4 stars: I Enjoyed It
Pre-Order from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Eve knew the stories of the Fall, of a time before she wandered into the colony of Eden, unable to recall anything but her name. She's seen the aftermath of the technology that infused human DNA with cybernetic matter, able to grow new organs and limbs, how it evolved out of control. The machine took over and the soul vanished. A world quickly losing its humanity isn't just a story to her though. At eighteen, this world is Eve's reality. 

In their Fallen world, love feels like a selfish luxury, but not understanding what it is makes it difficult to choose between West, who makes her feel alive but keeps too many secrets, and Avian, who has always been there for her, but is seven years her senior. 

The technology wants to spread and it won't stop until there is no new flesh to assimilate. With only two percent of the human population left, mankind is on the brink of extinction. While fighting to keep Eden alive, Eve will discover that being human is about what you will do for those you love, not what your insides may be made of. And even if it gets you killed, love is always what separates them from the Fallen. -quoted from Goodreads

Eden brings plenty of action, romance, and uncertainty that dystopian and post-apocalyptic stories have in them, to the YA book scene. Keary not only created a story that relied heavily on these elements, she created a vivid world that was incredibly easy for me picture. I was fascinated by Eden, and the fact that the world as me know it now no longer exists. Technology rules and the few humans left are now on the run. It's here, in Eden where Eve's story starts. Being among some of the last few hold outs of humans, Eden has become both a refuge for those survivors. I do not envy the characters of this book, and all they have to deal with, but I enjoyed getting to read about them.

Eve is a character I didn't really connect with until towards the end of the book. Which was surprising to me, because I admired how resilient, motivated and tough she is. She will do whatever it takes to support and save those who live in her colony, which has become her family. She has some great butt kicking moments. This girl isn't afraid to get dirty or take a few hits, but she can definitely dish it out to anyone who tries to come after those she loves and cares deeply amount. Any girl who takes a stand and does whatever she can to protect those she loves gets high praise in my book.

This story's world building fascinated me, and I liked how descriptive Keary gets with her setting. It was so easy for me to envision it in my mind as I'm reading about. The colony of Eden was interesting to me. I liked how despite the various age differences, they all work together much like a family would. Each character has a different role and they all take turns hunting, caring for each other, growing food, etc. They world they live in is far from easy. They're constantly on the run and the look out for the Fallen. I enjoyed getting to know some of the characters that reside in Eden.

Aside from Eve, we get to meet Avian and West, the two main love interests. Though I liked West from the moment he enters the scene, Avian won me over. I should back up and say I liked that both guys would do anything for Eve, including risking their lives for her, but the history she had with Avian and the way they acted around each other made it so much easy for me to adore him. I loved their stolen moments together. I enjoy a well written love triangle, but I just didn't get into this one. I felt that Eve's feelings for both guys was believable, and I liked that she worked out her feelings for both guys. I even liked how she finally made her choice, but I personally didn't like how long it took her to make it. I started to lose interest in it, and then wham, something happens (keeping it spoiler free) and she made her choice, and the way she comes to that conclusion made total sense to me. I really wish I could talk about this part of the book, but I can't do so without mentioning spoilers.

I love the surprising twists Keary threw with the last part of Eden. I was not expecting them at all. Eden is a fast paced read with a good plot line, and lots of sizzling romance, and plenty of action. If you've a fan of dystopians and post apocalyptic reads, I'd recommend adding this to your lists! I think Eden is a book YA fans are really going to enjoy.

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Be sure to follow the rest of the tour here. To enter to win an e-book of Eden, please leave me a comment with you email address! This giveaway will end on May 28th, 2012. US residents only please. Good luck!!

Cassie Clare's COLS UK Tour


Cassie's going to the UK! Check out her exciting tour stops she posted about earlier, along with each signing's info below.  You can also find her list of signings here.

UK tour events: London to Wales, May 26-June 2
SAT 26th MAY
LONDON

TOUR LAUNCH EVENT ARRANGED BY FOYLES
EVENT TYPE: Author talk, Q&A and signing session with Maureen Johnson
VENUE: Theatre Royal, Stratford East, Gerry Raffles Square, London E15 1BN
http://www.stratfordeast.com/ 
http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/StratfordEast.htm
TIME: 2PM

The Theatre Royal, Stratford East is located 5 minutes walking distance away from the Olympic Village and one of London’s largest retail destinations – Westfield, Stratford City http://uk.westfield.com/stratfordcity . 

Tickets still available — Foyle’s is running a special two for one for tickets today, so a good time to get them! 
http://www.foyles.co.uk/Public/Events/Detail.aspx?eventId=1512

SUN 27thMAY
LONDON/KENT

WATERSTONES BLUEWATER
EVENT TYPE: PUBLIC SIGNING 
VENUE: In store
CAPACITY: Limitless. Store average is 200-300 per signing
TIME: 1PM
http://www.bluewater.co.uk/content/ab_history 

Waterstones 
West Village 
Greenhithe 
Bluewater 
DA9 9SE 
T. 0843 290 8159/01322 624 831
Email: events@bluewater-west.waterstones.com 


TUE 29th MAY

LEEDS
WATERSTONES LEEDS
EVENT TYPE: INSTORE TALK, Q&A, PUBLIC SIGNING
VENUE: In store
TIME: 7PMWaterstones 
93-97 Albion Street 
Leeds 
LS1 5JS 
T. 0843 290 8443/ 0113 244 4588
Email: events@leeds-93albionstreet.waterstones.com 


WED 30th MAY
MANCHESTER

MANCHESTER –WHSMITH ARNDALE CENTRE
EVENT TYPE: PUBLIC SIGNING
VENUE: WHSmith Arndale Centre
TIME: 5PM – 7pm After school event
4http://www.manchesterarndale.com 

WHSmith
Store 5 
Arndale Centre
Manchester
M4 3AD
Contact- Karen 0161 834 8300

THU 31st MAY
SHEFFIELD

WATERSTONES SHEFFIELD
EVENT TYPE: TALK, Q&A, PUBLIC SIGNING
VENUE: The Library Theatre, Surrey Street, Sheffield, S1 1XZ 
https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/libraries/librarytheatre.html 

TIME: Doors open 5.30pm, event starts at 6pm. 

Tickets will be sold via Sheffield Waterstones in store or over the phone.  
£3 for adults
£2 for under 18s and NUS card holders. 

Store address and contact details are:
Waterstones
24-26 Orchard Square 
Sheffield 
S1 2FB
T. 0843 290 8585 
Email: orders@sheffield-orchard-square.waterstones.com 

FRI 1st JUNE
BATH SPA 

WATERSTONES BATH
EVENT TYPE: Author talk, Q&A and signing
VENUE: In store
CAPACITY: 150
TIME: 6PM start. 
Waterstones
4-5 Milsom Street,
Bath
BA1 1DA
T. 0843 290 8139/ 01225 448 515
Email: manager@bath.waterstones.com


SAT 2nd JUNE
HAY-ON-WYE

FULLY CONFIRMED
SOLD OUT*

HAY FESTIVAL 
EVENT TYPE: chaired talk and Q&A session followed by a signing
VENUE: Starlight Stage
CAPACITY: 250
TIME: 4pm

http://www.hayfestival.com/wales/index.aspx?skinid=2 http://www.hayfestival.com/p-4310-cassandra-clare.aspx 

* A reader just buzzed me to say she can’t make the Hay on Wye event so is returning two tickets, so if you want Hay tickets, now is the time to call and grab them!

Waiting on Wednesday: Some Must Have Upcoming Summer Releases

With summer fast approaching I wanted to spotlight a few must have books for your summer reading. Here's three of this summer's sizzling sequels I can't wait to add to my bookshelves!



Published by: Harper Teen
To Be Released on: May 29th, 2012
Pre-Order from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books A Million | IndieBound
Can true love be forgotten?

As the only Scion who can descend into the Underworld, Helen Hamilton has been given a nearly impossible task. By night she wanders through Hades, trying to stop the endless cycle of revenge that has cursed her family. By day she struggles to overcome the fatigue that is rapidly eroding her sanity. Without Lucas by her side, Helen is not sure she has the strength to go on.

Just as Helen is pushed to her breaking point, a mysterious new Scion comes to her rescue. Funny and brave, Orion shields her from the dangers of the Underworld. But time is running out—a ruthless foe plots against them, and the Furies’ cry for blood is growing louder.

As the ancient Greek world collides with the mortal one, Helen’s sheltered life on Nantucket descends into chaos. But the hardest task of all will be forgetting Lucas Delos.



Josephine Angelini’s compelling saga becomes ever more intricate and spellbinding as an unforgettable love triangle emerges and the eternal cycle of revenge intensifies. Eagerly awaited, this sequel to the internationally bestselling STARCROSSED delivers a gritty, action-packed love story that exceeds expectation -quoted from Goodreads

Nantucket, romance, and an ancient Greek world.... need I say more. ;)



By: Tara Hudson
Published by: Harper Teen
To Be Released on: June 5th, 2012
Pre-Order from: IndieBound | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million

Amelia—still caught between life and death—must fight for every moment of her relationship with the human boy Joshua. They can hardly even kiss without Amelia accidentally dematerializing. Looking for answers, they go to visit some of Joshua’s Seer relatives in New Orleans. But even in a city so famously steeped in the supernatural, Amelia ends up with more questions than answers…and becomes increasingly convinced that she and Joshua can never have a future together.

Wandering through the French Quarter, Amelia meets other in-between ghosts, and begins to seriously consider joining them. And then she meets Gabrielle. Somehow, against impossible odds, Gaby has found a way to live a sort of half-life...a half-life for which Amelia would pay any price. Torn between two worlds, Amelia must choose carefully, before the evil spirits of the netherworld choose for her -quoted from Goodreads

Ghosts, romance, and New Orleans.... this has summer reading written all over it!


Published by: Egmont USA
To Be Released on: June 12th, 2012
Pre-Order from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound
Series: Hourglass #2

A threat from the past could destroy the future. And the clock is ticking...

Kaleb Ballard's relentless flirting is interrupted when Jack Landers, the man who tried to murder his father, timeslips in and attacks before disappearing just as quickly. But Kaleb has never before been able to see time travelers, unlike many of his friends associated with the mysterious Hourglass organization. Are Kaleb's powers expanding, or is something very wrong?

Then the Hourglass is issued an ultimatum. Either they find Jack and the research he's stolen on the time gene, or time will be altered with devastating results.

Now Kaleb, Emerson, Michael, and the other Hourglass recruits have no choice but to use their unusual powers to find Jack. But where do they even start? And when? And even if they succeed, it may not be enough...

The follow-up to Hourglass, Timepiece blends the paranormal, science fiction, mystery, and suspense genres into a nonstop thrill ride where every second counts.
-quoted from Goodreads

One word... Kaleb! Okay, just kidding. There's a lot more to this series than just Kaleb. Again, this is one of those books you'll want to pick up and take with you to the pool, the park or the beach. 

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