Blog Tour: Review and Giveaway! - The Moons of Barsk by Lawrence Schoen

Tour Schedule

About the Book

Years after the events of Barsk: The Elephants' Graveyard, the lonely young outcast and physically-challenged Fant, Pizlo, is now a teenager. He still believes he hears voices from the planet’s moons, imparting secret knowledge to him alone. And so embarks on a dangerous voyage to learn the truth behind the messages. His quest will catapult him offworld for second time is his short life, and reveal things the galaxy isn’t yet ready to know.

Elsewhere, Barsk's Senator Jorl, who can speak with the dead, navigates galactic politics as Barsk's unwelcome representative, and digs even deeper into the past than ever before to discover new truths of his own. 

Buy the Book

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY

Praise for THE ELEPHANTS' GRAVEYARD

"Weird, wise, and worldly, Barsk: The Elephants' Graveyard is a triumph.” —Robert J. Sawyer, Hugo Award-winning author of Red Planet Blues

“The second you encounter the arboreal uplifted elephants who speak with the dead, you know you're reading a work of singular imaginative power. It's a delight from beginning to end.” —Walter Jon Williams, Nebula Award-winning author of the Metropolitan series

“A captivating, heartwarming story in a unique and fantastic world... as rich and mysterious as Dune.” —James L. Cambias, author of A Darkling Sea

“A heartfelt and wonderfully weird book: a space opera about kindness and memory.” —Max Gladstone, author of the Craft Sequence

“A masterful, onion-layered tale of pariahdom, treachery, and genocide that ultimately reveals the true deathlessness of hope and love.” —Charles E. Gannon, author of Fire With Fire

“Combines excellent characters and a fascinating world. What really makes it work is how he deftly weaves together startling SFnal ideas with character-based intrigue. You'll really care for these characters, even as you find them believably alien. I found it a compulsive page-turner and immensely enjoyable.” —Karl Schroeder, author of Lockstep

“Powerful. Grand in scope, yet deeply intimate. Schoen gives anthropomorphism some serious spirituality. It got inside my head in the way that only an exciting new idea can.” —Howard Tayler, Hugo Award-winning creator of Schlock Mercenary

The Moons of Barsk Review

Rating:

Review: 

I am not a huge science fiction fan, most of the time it takes me a while to get into it and then I get very lost in space so to speak. I received books 1 and 2 of the Barsk series for this blog tour with very little time to actually get them read at a pace in which I could really drink them in, but even with a speed read I thought that they were very good and even myself - the non-Sci Fi fan got into them. The Moons of Barsk, book 2 in the series picks up many years after the initial event in book 1.  If you have not read Barsk: The Elephants' Graveyard, I highly recommend doing so before jumping into this book - it has a lot of set up that you will need in order to follow along.  

(So if you need it, a review of book 1 is below this one)

In book 2, Pizlo is now a teen with some powers of his own, and Jorl is still a senator but has a family now as well. Schoen does a wonderful job picking up where he left off in the first book, going back to the exploration of the lost island/ Death island that the Fant slip away to when their time is about to come. The beginning of this book even pulled me in much stronger than the last one did. The world building throughout the series is pretty amazing and I found it easy to settle in and dive into this new world as if I had been there. 

The plot again follows the future of the Fant and how they will survive being an oppressed people in the Alliance - but it was a weird plot because only a handful of the Fant on the world of Barsk seem to even care that something might extinguish them. One would think that if this issue was really that large that more of the Fant would be worried, but the author does not showcase that bit.

Otherwise though, the tension and conflict was very balanced and the overall drive was good. I felt for the characters and wanted various parties to succeed and found others that I wanted to smack - and for me that makes a good read.

I think that Sci Fi fans will really appreciate this series; it was a lot to take in for a non- Sci Fi reader but even still it was a very good story and I enjoyed it I just wish I had more time to really delve into the details.

Barsk: The Elephants' Graveyard Review

Rating:

Blog Blast w/ Giveaway: Ruin of Stars by Linsey Miller

Blast Stops

About the Book

As Opal, Sal finally has the power, prestige, and most importantly the ability to hunt the lords who killed their family. But Sal has to figure out who the culprits are before putting them down. Which means trying to ignore the fact that Elise is being kept a virtual prisoner, and that the queen may have ulterior motives.

And the tales coming out of north are baffling. Talk of dark spirits, missing children, and magic abound. As Sal heads north toward their ruined homeland and the lords who destroyed everything, they learn secrets and truths that can't be ignored.

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY

Praise for MASK OF SHADOWS

"An intriguing world and a fantastically compelling main character make for a can't-miss debut. Miller's Mask of Shadows will make you glad you're not an assassin―and even gladder Sal is." ―Kiersten White, New York Times bestelling author of And I Darken and Now I Rise

"Compelling and relatable characters, a fascinating world with dangerous magic, and a dash of political intrigue: Mask of Shadows completely delivered. Fantasy fans will love this book." ―Jodi Meadows, New York Times bestselling coauthor of My Lady Jane

Praise for Mask of Shadows: "Miller's gritty, lightning-paced debut features a rough-and-tumble yet movingly vulnerable protagonist: Sal is uncompromising in their convictions, and doesn't hesitate to kill when necessary but wishes to be more than just a weapon of vengeance. A complex but intriguing start to this planned duology." ―Publishers Weekly
Praise for Mask of Shadows: "This is a memorable, sharply written character. While readers who identify on the GLBTQ spectrum may be easy fans as Miller handles Sal's identity with aplomb, that's certainly not the only point of note here; the impressive, intricate world building, tense action, and fierce competitors are equally strong." ―The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Praise for Mask of Shadows: "Gory, well-plotted, suspenseful on every page, and poised for the sequel." ―Kirkus

Praise for Mask of Shadows: "This fantasy's gender-fluid protagonist, Sal Leon, makes Miller's book worth picking up for diversity's sake alone. Her treatment of the gender issue is most notable in that it isn't really an issue... Violent and action-packed, this offering by first-time novelist Miller will circulate." ―School Library Journal

"Sal's strong-willed personality and rich emotions create a protagonist who continues to shine" ―Booklist

"Sal is intriguing and their genderfluidity adds depth to their personality. The narrative deals with issues of mystery, self-identity, and revenge. The ending provides a sense of closure, while leaving the door ajar for further adventures." ―VOYA Magazine

About the Author

Originally from Arkansas, Linsey Miller has previously worked as a crime lab intern, neuroscience lab assistant, and pharmacy technician. She is currently an MFA candidate represented by Rachel Brooks of Bookends Literary. Her debut novel MASK OF SHADOWS is the first in a fantasy duology out now (8/29/17) from Sourcebooks Fire. The sequel RUIN OF STARS is coming out August of 2018. She can be found writing about science and magic anywhere there is coffee.

Find the Author

WEBSITE/ TWITTER /GOODREADS /FACEBOOK /INSTAGRAM

Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter

1 Winner will receive a signed pre-order of RUIN OF STARS by Linsey Miller

1 Winner will receive a $25.00 Amazon/PayPal Gift Card.
Ends: September 11, 2018

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour: Guest Post - Choosing Books For Your Kids by Fiona Ingram

Fiona Ingram’s

WOW! WOMEN ON WRITING TOUR
OF
The Temple of the Crystal Timekeeper

About the Book

A plane crash! Lost in the jungle! Hunted by their old enemy, will Adam, Justin, and Kim survive long enough to find the Third Stone of Power? With only a young boy, Tukum, as their guide, the kids make their way through the dense and dangerous jungle to find the lost city of stone gods, where the Stone of Power might be located. River rafting on a crocodile-infested river and evading predators are just part of this hazardous task. Of course, their old adversary Dr. Khalid is close behind as the kids press on. But he is not the worst of their problems. This time Adam will clash with a terrible enemy who adopts the persona of an evil Aztec god, Tezcatlipoca, and is keen to revive the ancient tradition of human sacrifice. Adam, Justin, and Tukum must play a dreadful ball game of life and death and maybe survive. Will they emerge alive from the jungle? Will Dr. Khalid find the third Stone of Power before they do?

Print Length: 318 Pages

Genre: Middle Grade Fiction, Adventure

Publisher: Bublish, Incorporated (November 2017)

ISBN: 978-1946229465

The Temple of the Crystal Timekeeper is available to purchase on Amazon.com. 

Choosing Books for Your Kids by Fiona Ingram 

 

Choosing books wisely for a child is important because young children are impressionable. If your child is familiar with reading and books from an early age, they will probably grow up with an interest in books, and a respect for reading. What many parents don’t realize is that enjoyment of reading is not automatic; it is learned by association. When a parent reads with a child, that feeling of togetherness, that special time, creates in the child a sense of enjoyment that they then associate with reading, and thus as they grow up, reading is associated with pleasure. This will create a solid foundation in their literacy and education skills and possibly even influence their life and career choices.

Children usually begin to read around the ages of four to six. A child may even begin earlier, especially if the parent has formed a habit of bedtime reading with the child.

However, many parents may not know how to choose age appropriate books for their child. Good bookshops will be able to advise, and don’t forget to tap into the experience of your local librarian. Publishers of children’s books generally have excellent resources on their web sites to advise parents on suitability of titles. Choose books for your child around their age, interests, and the type of books they have already read and enjoyed. As they get older, let them make their own choices and start to formulate their own opinions. Make reading exciting by exploring great stories together from an early age!

Ages 0-5 (Preschool)

In this age group, children need interesting stimulation and colorful visuals to promote vision and identification with objects, people, and animals. Board books, fabric books, pop-up books, and picture books are loads of fun to share with Mom and Dad. Examples: Slippers, Sunny Days & Starry Nights, and Leon the Lizard.

Ages 7-9 (Chapter)

Chapter books are the next step for this age group. Chapters are usually short with exciting story lines, and the beginnings of more complex character and plot development. Parents can also encourage their children to think beyond the story by asking the child’s opinion of the characters’ actions and choices. Children can also retell the story to the parent in their own words. In this way, parents can track their child’s development of logic, memory, and comprehension skills. Illustrations will help the child appreciate and remember the story. Examples: The Spiderwick Chronicles, The Witches, Hero.

Ages 10+ (Middle grade+)

Now children begin to enjoy more complex themes and character developments, as well as elements in the characters to which they can relate. They like characters that are children solving problems, or children with problems, and start to form a moral, ethical, and emotional picture of the world. They will also begin to make their own reading choices. Your child will love reading if books capture the child’s attention. Examples: Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Harry Potter, Percy Jackson.

Problematic Themes

Sexuality and violence are worrying themes. The older the child the more independent they will be regarding book choices. From teen and YA years, choices will be up to the individual. By then the child’s upbringing and moral training will help them make their own decisions. Concerned parents should watch what their teen is reading but remain open to discussing controversial issues. Popular teen/YA choices include The Hunger Games, Inheritance Cycle, and the Twilight series.

Publishing houses categorize book lists on their web sites. A local librarian can also advise on appropriate choices if a parent is concerned. Most children read up so allow your child to select a more advanced book than usual for their age group. Above all, let your child explore and find the books that they love!

About the Author

Fiona Ingram is a children’s author, but up until a few years ago, she was a journalist and editor. Something rather unexpected sparked her new career as an author—a family trip to Egypt with her mother and two young nephews. They had a great time and she thought she’d write them a short story as a different kind of souvenir…. Well, one book and a planned book series later, she had changed careers. She has now published Book 3 (The Temple of the Crystal Timekeeper) in her middle grade adventure series Chronicles of the Stone, with many awards for the first book, The Secret of the Sacred Scarab, and a few for Book 2, The Search for the Stone of Excalibur, and one already for Book 3! She also teaches online novel writing for aspiring authors and she finds that very satisfying. Relaxation time finds her enjoying something creative or artistic, music, books, theatre or ballet. She loves doing research for her book series. Fiona loves animals and has written two animal rescue stories. She has two adorable (naughty) little dogs called Chloe and Pumpkin, and a beautiful black cat called Bertie.

Find the Author

Facebook / Website / Twitter / Author Site / Blog / GoodReads

Blog Tour: Review - The Phantom Tower by Keir Graff

The Phantom Tour by Keir Graff
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers
Publication Date:  August 21, 2018

 

Format:  Paperback ARC
 
Source: From the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.



About the Book:

Twin brothers discover their new home is also a portal--for an hour a day--to a parallel dimension in this rollicking middle-grade adventure, perfect for fans of The Mysterious Benedict Society.

Colm and Mal are twins so identical their own mom can't tell them apart, but they're different in just about every other way. Mal's a pragmatist while Colm's a dreamer, and they bicker and battle constantly. Neither brother is excited to be moving to Chicago for a fresh start with their mom just after their dad's death. But nothing cures homesickness like intrigue--and their new home, Brunhild Tower, has plenty of it: mysterious elderly neighbors who warn against wandering the building at midday, strange sounds in the walls, and an elevator missing a button for the thirteenth floor.

One day, that button appears--and when the doors open on the missing floor, the boys are greeted by the strangest puzzle yet: a twin building that is stuck in time and bustling with activity. All of Brunhild Tower's former residents live on in this phantom tower, where the rules of the real world don't apply. But when the brothers and their newfound friends discover they're all trapped by an ancient curse, they must band together to set everyone free before it's too late.

 

Rating:

Review: 

The Phantom Tower follows two boys that have been having it pretty rough lately - their dad passed away and their mom is depressed and now they have to move to an all new city. In a creepy old apartment building they find that there is no 13th floor, which is pretty common but one afternoon a button for the non-existent floor appears and they are whisked off to a different plane. They see ghosts and a lot of them and they learn that if you aren't back on the elevator in time, you can be stuck there overnight. 

The boys have soon realize that there is more to it than just a mysteriously appearing floor but a whole building that twins their own and an old curse that needs to be broken.

This was an enjoyable read, I like the twin apartment buildings and the depth of the story to create the Phantom tower, and I really liked a lot of the auxiliary characters as well. I didn't have too much love or connection to the boys though. I was invested enough to enjoy the book but there wasn't a lot of character growth until the very very end. I think the book overall was a very cool recreation of a ghost story and I liked the way the ghost behaved in the tale - not too spooky.

The book had a lot of talk about death, acceptance and forgiveness and I think those are good discussion points in a Middle Grade read. So if you are looking for an interesting story with some ghosts and a good amount of mystery involved this is a great one to pick up. It can be a page-turner at times so be prepared to be swept up.

About the Author:  

Keir Graff is the author of The Matchstick Castle, The Other Felix, and a handful of books for grown-ups. When he's not making things up, he works as the executive editor of Booklist at the American Library Association. He lives in Chicago with his wife Marya and his sons Felix and Cosmo--in a building that looks exactly like Brunhild Tower.

BLOG TOUR STOPS!

WEEK ONE

August 13 – Book Princess Reviews – Q&A

August 14 – Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers – Review

August 15 – AEB Book Reviews – Review

August 16 – A to Z Book Reviews – Review + AGP: You have two twins in your story. They have different personalities. Do you relate more to one than the other one?

WEEK TWO

August 20 – Cover2Cover – Review *you are here*

August 21 – YA Book Nerd – Listicle

August 22 – Book Fidelity – Review + Creative Instagram Picture

August 23 – The Reading Corner for All – Review + Creative Instagram Picture

August 24 – Good Choice Reading – Creative Instagram Picture

Building the Book Pile #267

Welcome to Building the Book Pile!  A Weekly meme inspired by Stacking the Shelves

Hello Readers, Bloggers, and Awesome people! 

Happy Sunday everyone! I hope that your week was full of great reading and reviews! I was SO busy at work this week but happy to say that reading is still good... but also my World of Warcraft expansion is out (YAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!) Nerding out over here. This week was a rough one, we had a few things happen that were a bummer and so the whole week kind of sucked. Worst was that our other beardie - Timmy, passed away... it was sad but we knew it was going to happen soon. So we are down to just the doggie and kitty.

On Saturday though it was supposed to thunderstorm all day but the weather held out and we went kayaking in the morning and played card/ vidoe games with some friends and that was awesome. Today we are headed to Burlington with another group of friends to hang out. Thank the universe for having great friends otherwise I would be super bummed.

I have SO much reading to get done this week, but loads of great posts will be going up too! I hope you enjoy - how was your week?


If you enjoy the blog and want to share some love and caffeine, you can buy me a coffee via Ko-fi

Share about your week with me in the comments below!

 

  Giveaways  on Cover2CoverBlog!



Coming up on the Blog

Blog Tour: Review - The Phantom Tower by Keir Graff (MG)
Blog Tour w/ Guest Post - Choosing Books for Your Kids by Fiona Ingram, author of The Temple of the Crystal Timekeeper (MG)
Blog Blast w/ Giveaway! - Ruin of Stars by Linsey Miller (YA) 
Blog Tour: Reviews & Giveaway! - Moons of Barks (Barsk #2) by Lawrence Schoen (YA)  [with a review of book #1 too!]
Early Reader Review: Sheets by Brenna Thummler (MG, GN)

Books Received this Week

For Review:
Barsk: The Elephants' Graveyard by Lawrence Schoen (Barsk #1) from the Publisher for a blog tour.

   
Have you missed anything lately?

Week of August 12 - August 18

Early Reader Review: Poppy and Sam and the Leaf Thief by Cathon (Youth) - 3 stars

Waiting on Wednesday: We Regret to Inform You by Ariel Kaplan

Recent Reads w/ Giveaway! Everywhere You Want to Be by Christina June - 4 stars

Comment and leave me a link to your Round-up/ STS/ Weekly...anything, post and I will happily stop by and say hello!

Happy Reading!

Recent Reads and Giveaway! - Everywhere You Want to Be by Christina June

Source: From the Publicist and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

Everywhere You Want to Be by Christina June
Publisher: Blink/ HarperCollins
Publication Date: May 1, 2018  

 

Format: Paperback

Rating:


 



Goodreads Synopsis: 

From author Christina June comes Everywhere You Want to Be, a modern tale inspired by the classic Red Riding Hood.

Matilda Castillo has always done what she was told, but when she gets injured senior years, she watches her dreams of becoming a contemporary dancer slip away. So when Tilly gets a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend the summer with a New York dance troupe, nothing can stop her from saying yes--not her mother, not her fears of the big city, and not the commitment she made to Georgetown. Tilly's mother allows her to go on two conditions: one, Tilly will regularly visit her abuela in New Jersey, and two, after the summer, she'll give up dancing and go off to college.

Armed with her red vintage sunglasses and her pros and cons lists, Tilly strikes out, determined to turn a summer job into a career. Along the way she meets new friends ... and new enemies. Tilly isn't the only one desperate to dance, and fellow troupe member Sabrina Wolfrik intends to succeed at any cost. But despite dodging sabotage and blackmail attempts from Sabrina, Tilly can't help but fall in love with the city, especially since Paolo, a handsome musician from her past, is also calling New York home for the summer.

As the weeks wind down and the competition with Sabrina heats up, Tilly's future is on the line. She must decide whether to follow her mother's path to Georgetown or leap into the unknown to pursue her own dreams.

Review: 
I have been reading and enjoying a lot more YA contemporary these days, and this was another one for the good pile. Everywhere You Want To Be follows a girl named Tilly who has been angry for months over losing her chance to dance in the big time. She has overcome a broken ankle, and her anger and is now on her way to NY to participate in a summer dance program which could become a job if everything goes right. 

Tilly is a smart, accomplished main character who knows the value of things and wants to do right by everyone, even in the competitive world of dancing. She doesn't want to disappoint her mother but also wants to live her dream - so she is an anxious character. I can relate to that, so reading about her and being in her point of view was easy for me. The other characters in the book were nice additions and the conflict points were there and easy to read. I think some of the characters could have been fleshed out a bit more but the book wasn't super long and it rounded out nicely in the end.

I liked that the book had aspects of romance and drama and it made for a good contemporary YA read.  As I was preparing this post, I read the Goodreads synopsis noting that this is a modern retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. I had no idea! But now, after the fact, I can see the parallels. So if you are going into this book as just a contemporary read, as I had - it is still just as entertaining as reading it as a retelling of sorts.

As far as the retelling tie-ins, I found that Tilly could be Red but in a different way - she is straying from her mother's path but she is also strong enough to fight the wolf on her own. I think the wolf of the story is a few things, Tilly overcoming her fears, angers, and embarrassments, and also more literally Sabrina.

This was a good summertime read for me. If you like YA contemporary with a bit of romance and a good girl drama, this one is for you.

 Prize: 1 Copy of Everywhere You Want to Be by Christina June 

Rules:  

No giveaway accounts, I will check; 

Must be 13 with parent permission or older;

 US only;

 Must respond within 48 hours to claim prize.

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Waiting on Wednesday: We Regret to Inform You by Ariel Kaplan

We Regret to Inform You by Ariel Kaplan
Publisher: Alfred A. Konpf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: August 21, 2018

Synopsis:  

Mischa Abramavicius is a walking, talking, top-scoring, perfectly well-rounded college application in human form. So when she's rejected not only by the Ivies, but her loathsome safety school, she is shocked and devastated. All the sacrifices her mother made to send her to prep school, the late nights cramming for tests, the blatantly resume-padding extracurriculars (read: Students for Sober Driving) ... all that for nothing.

As Mischa grapples with the prospect of an increasingly uncertain future, she questions how this could have happened in the first place. Is it possible that her transcript was hacked? With the help of her best friend and sometimes crush, Nate, and a group of eccentric techies known as "The Ophelia Syndicate," Mischa launches an investigation that will shake the quiet community of Blanchard Prep to its stately brick foundations.

Why I Am Waiting:
This situation would have been terrifying! I love this synopsis and can't wait to read this book to find out what happened and how Mischa handles it all. This cover is hilarious to me too ...