Mundie Moms

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

AIR AND ASH by Alex Lidell / Blog Tour: Book Review & Giveaway #AirAndAsh


Hello and welcome to today's stop in the AIR & ASH blog tour hosted by Rockstar Blog Tours. Today's stop features a giveaway and my review! Before you enter to win, find out more about the book below:

ABOUT THE BOOK




By: Alex Lidell
Published by: Danger Bearing Press
Released on: May 2, 2017
Series: Tides Series #1
Purchase from it: AmazonB&N
Add it to Goodreads
Source: purchased book
Rating: 4 stars 

Master and Commander meets Tamora Pierce in a seafaring adventure of duty, love, magic, and a princess’s quest to protect her kingdom on her own terms. 

After a lifetime of training, seventeen-year-old Princess Nile Greysik, a lieutenant on the prestigious Ashing navy flagship, sails into battle with one vital mission—and fails.


Barred from the sea and facing a political marriage, Nile masquerades as a common sailor on the first ship she can find. With a cowardly captain, incompetent crew, and a cruel, too-handsome first officer intent on making her life a living hell, Nile must hide her identity while trying to turn the sorry frigate battleworthy. Worse, a terrifying and forbidden magic now tingles in Nile’s blood. If anyone catches wind of who Nile is or what she can do, her life is over.


But when disaster threatens the ship, Nile may have no choice but to unleash the truth that will curse her future.


AIR AND ASH is the thrilling first installment of the TIDES series. Recommended for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Tamora Pierce, and Naomi Novik.
Another adventure on the high seas, and a feisty, strong willed heroine to fall in love with. Air and Ash lives up to what I've come to except from Alex Lidell's writing. There's no shortage of danger, magic, action, and the best kind of romance. With characters you'll love getting to know more, and a few you'll love to despise, this book is another fantastic read I'd recommend picking up.

Nile Ash is a character who's determined to control her own life. Hailing from Royalty, this Princess isn't about to be doomed by an arranged political marriage. She didn't just spend a certain amount of time in the service of her father's royal Navy, something she was extremely good at, to come home and be rushed off to marrying some Prince. Seeking solace and hiding her true identity aboard a cruel war ship, Nile realizes somethings are harder than keeping who she is secret, and running from away from her royal duties. Things like not falling in love, or letting anyone else knows she's gifted. Both prove to be no easy thing, especially when you're confined within the limited space of a ship.

The magical element in this story comes in the form of Nile's gifted. 'Gifted' are those who are able to control the elements. While rare, it's not easy for someone to hide their gift, especially when you're aboard a ship in the middle of the ocean. Luckily for Nile she can let on that she gets sea sick vs what's really causing her to get sick. While others may fall for it, another fellow seaman recognizes her from aboard her father's Navy ship. It's not so easy to hide both her gifted, and her identity. Especially when she's in close confines.

Character wise, I really enjoyed getting to know both Domenic and Catsper. Both couldn't be more different from each other, yet both guys play important roles in Nile's secret, and her voyage aboard their ship. I love the dynamics they  add to the story, and how they fit into Nile's life. No, there is not a love triangle between them and Nile, just great character chemistry, and my really wishing this book didn't end where it did, because I want to know what happens next. 

Catsper is the no, nonsense kind of friend that Nile needs. You always know where you stand with him. He's the kind of friend Nile needs. He's someone who will keep her secret, while making sure she's trained to fight in order to protect herself for what's to come. He's also a little protective of her. I love the friction this causes with Domenic. He's easily one of my favorite characters. 

Domenic is the infuriating character I couldn't help but love to hate, especially Nile boards his ship. I get why Nile despises him, especially at first. He may run the ship with an iron fist, but he definitely gets more than he bargained for with Nile. I don't fault him for wanting to act one way when it comes to Nile, yet he doesn't slack on the importance of running the ship the way it needs to be ran. He's a good leader, and a tough one that doesn't make exceptions. Nile learns that the hard way, though I do like that she respects that, given her leading of her own Navy ship at one point. 

The romance in this book is one I really enjoyed. It's definitely has that immediate character chemistry that just makes sense, however it's definitely not love at first sight. This romance is one that grows from a strong dislike of each other, and constant bantering. Their constant back and forth, and fighting, make for the perfect sexual tension between the two. I love a well written, slow burning romance, which this definitely is. It's the kind of build up that just as something begins to develop, the story ends, and leaves you wishing the sequel as already out. Not to mention it's also a forbidden one. 

This is another fantastic YA fantasy from Alex Liddel. If you've not yet picked up any of her books, this is the perfect one to start with. The world building, and character development are spot on with the story's perfect pacing. This story is one where everything molds together perfectly. It's well written and created. From the action, to the danger, romance, magic, and secrecy, this book had a little bit of everything I enjoy in a well written YA fantasy.

Air and Ash is a book that sucked me right in, and made it impossible for me to put down until I was done reading it. I was hooked on this story, and everything it offered me. I couldn't help but root for Nile from the moment the story began, and enjoyed everything it gave me in between. Talk about a killer of a cliff hanger! I need this book's sequel like now. If you're looking for a great YA read with danger, romance, and adventure on the high seas, pick up this book!


ABOUT THE AUTHOR



Alex Lidell is an avid horseback rider, paramedic and ice cream addict. Born in Russia, Alex learned English in elementary school, where a thoughtful librarian placed a copy of Tamora Pierce’s ALANNA in Alex’s hands. In addition to becoming the first English book Alex read for fun, ALANNA started Alex’s lifelong love for YA fantasy books. Alex’s debut novel, THE CADET OF TILDOR, was an Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards finalist. Her second book AIR AND ASH releases in May 2017. Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Instagram


ENTER TO WIN





1 winner will receive a finished copy of AIR AND ASH & a hardcover of A COURT OF WINGS AND RUIN by Sarah J. Maas, INTERNATIONAL.




FOLLOW THE TOUR

5/1/2017- Wandering Bark BooksExcerpt
5/1/2017- Twinning for BooksReview

5/2/2017- Don't Judge, Read- Interview

5/3/2017- Fiction FareReview
5/3/2017- Book Princess ReviewsReview

5/4/2017- Two Chicks on BooksInterview
5/4/2017- Reading for the Stars and MoonReview

5/5/2017- Margie's Must ReadsReview
5/5/2017- Angelic Book ReviewsReview

5/8/2017- BookHounds YAGuest Post
5/8/2017- Book BriefsReview

5/9/2017- A Backwards StoryInterview
5/9/2017- Mundie MomsReview

5/10/2017- Book Sniffers AnonymousExcerpt
5/10/2017- J.R.'s Book ReviewsReview

5/11/2017- Bibliobibuli YAReview
5/11/2017- BookloveReview

5/12/2017- Reese's ReviewsReview
5/12/2017-A Dream Within A DreamReview

Lord of Shadows Playlist / Pre-Order Giveaway Details #LordOfShadows #Shadowhunters



Happy belated Mundane Monday! Cassie Clare shared her playlist for Lord of Shadows! I don't know what it is about playlists, but I love seeing the different songs authors pick for their playlists. Check out Cassie's original post for her playlist here, and see the full playlist below: 


tmi-city-of-bones15-blog said:Hey Cassie, I was wondering if you have a Playlist for each book that you write? Or if you have something to inspire you on those moments?
I do! You can find old ones on this tumblr, and here is the one for Lord of Shadows! (Sometimes people complain the songs aren’t new — I tend to mix up old and new songs, and remember, the book was written last year!)

Lord of Shadows Playlist

Six Blade Knife, Dire Straits
Your six blade knife can do anything for you
Anything you want it to
One blade for breaking my heart
One blade for tearing me apart
Your six blade knife can do anything for you
F**k It And Whatever, The Echo-Friendly
We are sleeping in a rainstorm
With no lightning rod
So please remember my love
As we lie in the arms of an angry vengeful God

And I know we can’t stay together
But I’ll keep you safe forever
And I know that sounds heavy
But f**k it and whatever


Kill Your Heroes AWOL NATION
Well I met an old man dying on a train.
No more destination, no more pain.
Well he said one thing, before I graduate
“Never let your fear decide your fate.”
I say kill your heroes and fly, fly, baby don’t cry.
No need to worry ‘cause, everybody will die.
Every day we just go, go, baby don’t go.
Don’t you worry we love you more than you know.


Blood in the Cut, K. Flay
Met back up with the boy I love
Cried on the streets of San Francisco
I don’t have an agenda
All I do is pretend to be ok so my friends
Can’t see my heart in the blender
Lately, I’ve been killing all my time
Reading through your messages my favorite way to die
Take my head and kick it in
Break some bread for all my sins
Say a word, do it soon
It’s too quiet in this room


Sweet Disaster — Dreamers
Some nights feel like every night
This one feels brand new
Only got bad things on my mind
When I’m with you
Tell me that you need me on the floor
Passed out in your dirty clothes
Ask me what the hell I’m looking for
Like you don’t know


Shatter in the Night — Vesperteen
Laying in the yard and we worship the stars  
And I blow your mind while you kiss my scars. 
We rise and we fall. We’re floating 
And all our time’s revolving around what we see as true 
But it’s breaking me and it’s breaking you

Every Other Weekend — Annie Rapid (always makes me think of Livvy & Ty)
But we are one 
For you are here 
Inside a place so far away 
My brother always near 
It’s every other weekend 
And it’s in the messages they send 
Broken promises will mend 
For all these things we can’t count on 
Will one day make us grow up strong
No Mermaid — Sinead Lohan
we went down to the edge of the water
you were afraid to go in
you said there might be sharks out there in the ocean
and i said i’m only going for a swim

i was swimming around in a circle
i wasn’t always in view
you said we might get into red flag danger
and i am alone when i’m not with you

but i am no mermaid
and i am no fisherman’s slave
i am no mermaid
i keep my head above the waves 


Breaking Free — Night Riots
You’re not my savior, just someone I used to see
I am broken
Something’s wrong inside of me
I feel violent
Like I’m dying
I feel broken
Maybe I’m just breaking free

These Taming Blues — Joe Tex
Is it ever gonna not be so hard to see you around?
Am I really really really really gonna have to leave town?
I mean I called upon a bunch of angels calling angels ain’t you supposed to come and take away these blues?
All five kinds of rains
All nine kinds of thunder and
Eighteen white horses who will not ever come to me!
Don’t plant your feet, love, in that garden of blame.
Don’t break me no more, love.
I’m already tame.

Home  American Authors
I’ve got these letters tattooed on my arm
That remind me each second of where I come from
And the long hard road to get me back home
I’m not trying to part the ocean waves
I’m not trying to overthrow the throne
I’m just trying to find a way to make it back home


In Our Bedroom After the War — Stars
Wake up! Say good morning to that sleepy person lying next to you
If there’s no one there, then there’s no one there, but at least the war is over
It’s us – yes, we’re back again, here to see you through, 'til the days end
And if the night comes, and the night will come, well at least the war is over

Meet me in the Woods — Lord Huron
How long, baby, have I been away?
Oh, it feels like ages though you say it’s only days
There ain’t language for the things I’ve seen, yeah
And the truth is stranger than my own worst dreams

Anna Lee — firekid
Sinking sand
When I sleep
I see her ghost
Siren’s hand pulling me six feet below
Pyramid
Wasted dreams
Built it for two
Inherited her color scheme
Now it’s my tomb




Only a couple more weeks until Lord of Shadows is out! Don't forget to pre-order your copy! You could receive this! Get more details about it here


Just in case you've missed it, check out the book trailer! We can't! Two weeks from TODAY! 

OUT TODAY! New YA Releases for Tuesday 5/9/17


Happy Book Birthday to today's newest YA releases! There are some fantastic new releases out today. Check out the full list below: 

 
Which new releases will you be picking up today? 

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