Book Promo - A Tale of Ashes

 

Fans of Holly Black and Buffy the Vampire Slayer will love this fairy tale mashup/ mystery

HUMAN TEENS ARE GOING MISSING, AND ALL EYES ARE TURNING TO THE FAE. 

Seventeen-year-old Freddie is a human at a magically diverse boarding school who longs to report on the war-torn realms of Fairy. When humans disappear on campus, it's the perfect opportunity to jump-start her journalism career. While the public blame the fae, Freddie wants facts. If she's going to get published, she'll need to find out who or what is behind these disappearances. 

Aiden is a fae soldier with a murderous reputation. Raised in the dark fae court and forced to partake in the brutal Fairy Civil War, he thirsts for revenge against the realm which murdered his family. His new mission gives him the opportunity he's longed for. But when Freddie snoops into his life, he questions if revenge is worth the price of his freedom. Lured by her suspicions and distracted by his curiosity, Freddie and Aiden form a tenuous bond. But as their feelings for one another grow, so does the danger. Every clue points to Aiden as the kidnapper, and as his enemies close in, Freddie must make a choice: turn against him or fight for a relationship doomed to fail.

 

About Ann

Lansdale USA

anndayleview@gmail.com 

Ann Dayleview writes fantasy novels which aim to transport the reader to worlds unlike any other. 

She reads any young adult and middle grade fantasy novel she can get her hands on. 

Her writing is often inspired by the wild assortment of music she listens to. Everything from classical to pop and beyond! 

In addition to writing, Ann loves spending time with her two dogs, baking all the sweet things, and bringing awareness to mental health issues.

 She lives in Pennsylvania with her ever rotating collection of books she lugs from place to place.

 

What got you into writing?

My first job encouraged the employees to start and join clubs for their interests. Since high school I've used writing as a way to de-stress. When the leader of the club told me my writing was good and I should look into publication, I started taking the craft more seriously.

What inspired this story?

It initially started off as a Red Riding Hood retelling...but it's gotten so far away from that! As I started seeing the anti-immigrant sentiments during the Syrian Refugee Crisis, I wanted to write something to inspire people to have more compassion. Telling it through fantasy is my way of communicating my support.

What book can you read over and over?

The Claidi Journals by Tanith Lee. The world building is so crazy and twisted, I'm absolutely in LOVE!

 I also really enjoy anything by Tamora Pierce. Especially her Trickster's Choice series.

What advice would you give to new writers?

Make writer friends. Writing can be lonely and it's great to have people who you can bounce ideas off of, critique your book, and commiserate writer struggles. These are also the people who will support you when your book comes out. That way when you start building up a readership, you already have people who love your work.

What are you working on next?

I am of course working on book two! It's in the initial editing phase, so I'm hoping to finish toward the end of the year. I'm also looking into traditionally publishing a high fantasy with some major mental health themes. And I'm drafting another paranormal mystery/ romance! Am I doing too much? Maybe!  

Excerpt Chapter 3

“Of course! Why didn’t I think of it before? This is perfect!” Freddie’s eyes widened—the beginnings of an idea tingled in the back of her mind. She gripped his arm,bouncing on the balls of her feet. 

“You alright?” He pulled her aside as a minotaur boy and a human tossed a football across their path.Freddie rubbed her hands together. 

“But don’t you see? That’s my story. Biased police harass innocent fae while real killer goes free. If I could break it, find the real culprit instead, I’d be published for sure!”Her mind raced through potential headlines and outlets to target. Maybe she could even be on TV. 

  

Book Review - Ignite Me

 

Title: Ignite Me

Author: Tahereh Mafe

Series: Shatter Me (Book 3)

Publisher: Harper Collins

Release Date: 4th February 2014

ISBN-13: 978-1405291774

 

Synopsis

With Omega Point destroyed, Juliette doesn’t know if the rebels, her friends, or even Adam are alive. But that won’t keep her from trying to take down The Reestablishment once and for all. Now she must rely on Warner, the handsome commander of Sector 45. The one person she never thought she could trust. The same person who saved her life. He promises to help Juliette master her powers and save their dying world . . . but that’s not all he wants with her.  

My Review

I went into this book with hesitation, having not loved the first two I didn't expect much. I find the characters far too whiny and self-obsessed. I only kept reading because the core plot line is good - i wanted to know if Juliette and her friends would be able to overthrow the reestablishment and how Warner fits into it all.

I started reading and was back exactly where book 2 finished - Juliette alone and wondering if her rebel friends survived, but now she's changed - she has decided to fight back and take control, but the only person with her is Warner, and she doesn't know how to trust him. At first I was skim reading, just scanning for the important bits but still maintaining enough of the rest to get a full idea of what was going on. I read 232 pages in about 90 minutes, whenever there was whining, moaning or excessive angst I would skim, then when the actual plot line came up I would read. I started to like the new Juliette better, far more in control and decisive, i even started to like Warner, when he broods it's not as annoying - you can tell he is dealing with his past and trying to find a way to let his guard down and accept Juliette in his life. However we moved on a step in this book, and this time it was Adam who moaned, and whined, and acted like a big baby. Constantly moaning and complaining that Juliette doesn't love him anymore and that life sucks. I wanted someone to just punch him and get it over with. Maybe Juliette with her newfound control could have picked him up and thrown him into a wall to get the message across. 

There is a lot of waiting around in this book - they are preparing for the assault on Anderson and taking control of the army etc, but in terms of action,  it's only really the last 50 or so pages where things happen, the rest is all preparation or talking. Whilst this isn't necessarily a bad thing, I think it could have been cut down a lot. This would have been a really strong 200 odd pages, without all the love triangle, anger stuff.

On the plus side, I liked Warner and Juliette and I was glad Kenji was back, but it didn't really go much further for me. I like James too - but I'm still not entirely sure what his purpose is, he's either asking stupid questions, or sleeping.

Overall I am glad I finished the 'trilogy' and the ending was good enough, but I am happy to leave it there. The note in the back of the book from the author says it's the 'end of Juliette's story'. so this was supposed to be a trilogy, i have since looked it up and seen that there are now 6 books in the series. So obviously the publishers thought they could get more out of the characters but I just don't care enough. I have book 4 as it came in part of the box set and I've had a flick through and it seems to be more love problems and issues, so I'm going to pass.

I am actually quite sad that I didn't enjoy this series as much - the basic plot is solid and should have been my ideal book. Just way too much whining. Also a warning for anyone looking to buy these books for their teens - there are some quite suggestive sexy scenes in these books, nothing actually explicit, but he does undress her and carry her to the bed. So be warned and maybe save them for the older teens.

 

My Rating

      

Book Review - Unravel Me

 

Title: Unravel Me

Author: Tahereh Mafi

Series: Shatter Me (Book 2)

Publisher: Harper Collins

Release Date: 5th February 2013

ISBN13: 9780062085535

 Synopsis

It should have taken Juliette a single touch to kill Warner. But his mysterious immunity to her deadly power has left her shaken, wondering why her ultimate defense mechanism failed against the person she most needs protection from.
She and Adam were able to escape Warner’s clutches and join up with a group of rebels, many of whom have powers of their own. Juliette will finally be able to actively fight against The Reestablishment and try to fix her broken world. And perhaps these new allies can help her shed light on the secret behind Adam’s—and Warner’s—immunity to her killer skin. 

 

My Review

I finished book 1 and felt intrigued enough to know what would happen next, Juliette is now at the base for people with special powers, basically home of the Rebels, and she seemed to be happy, but book 2 starts with her once more withdrawing into herself and feeling sorry for herself. There are poeple around who wish to help her but she seems to refuse to open up and let them know her. The only person she will be around is Adam but even he is starting to act strange and won't tell her whats wrong. 

There is a lot of the book where not a lot really happens, people train and discover powers, but Juliette still can't do anything with her. The book still reads quite quickly but it feels like it's pages and pages of Juliette moaning and crying about her life. No-one understands her, life is so hard, her power is horrible, what if she hurts someone, why is Adam pulling away from her, why can't she just be normal, my past is so horrible etc etc etc. I wanted to shake her and tell her to get over herself!!! Then the best part of the book - Kenji gives up his time to try and help her and Juliette continues to be her usual whiny, self-deprecating self, so Kenji delivers some harsh truths and basically reminds her that she isn't the only one with issues or feelings and to basically grow the hell up! YAY!!!! Thank you Kenji - the voice of reason and sense, and by far now my favourite character, which is odd because I couldn't stand him in the first book.

There are some exciting bits to this book, some battles they go out and get caught up in, some drastic moves by both sides and Juliette shows she can take control when faced with Anderson. Then the end of the book where things get serious and you actually wonder if they will all make it through and wonder just what Warner is actually going to do in the future - will he finally make a decision about what he wants to be.

I can't decide if I like Warner or not, every time I start to warm to him, he then acts like a total prat again, but at least it makes him more 3D. I think I am actually more intrigued about his story that I am about Juliette.

My main issue with this book is that I am really starting to dislike Juliette and the whole 'love triangle' thing, she is constantly obsessing over whether or not she can ever truly be with Adam or will she just hurt him, and then in the next breathe she is obsessed with Warner and desperate for him to open up to her and be with her but then, oh yeah, he's a psychopath and how can she love someone so monstrous. I mean - get a grip girl!!

I think book one was better plot wise, it certainly moved more, although the parts of plot that were focused in this book were much more exciting. Every character in this book grows a lot and really start to develop as individuals - apart from Juliette.

I am interested enough to try to read book 3, but I am not holding out much hope. I know this is actually a 6 book series, but something extraordinary is going to have to happen to keep me reading for that long.

I am truly mixed about these books, get rid of the self obsessed teenage angst and they would be really good. I am going to hold judgement for now...

 

My Rating

     

Book Review - Shatter Me

 

Title: Shatter Me

Author: Tahereh Mafi

Series: Shatter Me (Book 1)

Publisher: Harper Collins

Release Date: 15th November 2011

ISBN13: 9780062085504

 Synopsis

I have a curse
I have a gift

I am a monster
I'm more than human

My touch is lethal
My touch is power

I am their weapon
I will fight back

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war—and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

 My Review

I heard some good things about this series years ago but never got round to reading them. Then last year I was in my local discount book store and they had a 4 book boxset for £10, as it was near my birthday, the friend that was with me picked them up and bought them for me. They have remained on my shelves ever since. However one of my new year's resolutions was to start reading more again - i used to read 200 books a year and now I'm lucky if i hit 35 books, so I am trying to read more and wanted something that I could get lost in - so I turned to these books.

Apart from knowing it is a YA Dystopian style fiction, I didn't really have much knowledge about this book, but the blurb sounded intriguing so I got stuck in. We meet Juliette, a young 17 year old who is being held in a prison, though i think it's actually an asylum, either way she is locked in a room and hasn't spoken to anybody or touched anyone for the best part of a year. It is unclear why she is in there at first which I actually really liked, it made it more of a mystery. Then things start to change, she is given a cellmate - a boy named Adam, whom she immediately recognizes but doesn't want to talk to. She is afraid and unsure and quite convinced that she is going mad, just like everyone said she was. But then the leader of the Reestablishment summons Juliette- they think she can be used for a weapon and Warner - the leader of one division makes it his mission to get her onside. Juliette has to chose whether to be a weapon or fight for her freedom.

I actually found this book really easy to read at first, I found I liked her writing style. As Juliette is frantic in her thoughts, she crosses bits of her writing out and sometimes repeats herself, i actually didn't mind this and it didn't slow me down at all. As she starts to come to terms with her situation more, the writing calms down. I don't mind Juliette as a character, she is feisty and not afraid to put her foot in it but she is passionate and knows the difference between right and wrong. 

Adam was a bit of a mystery to me, I wasn't sure whether or not to trust him for most of the book, I kept expecting something to happen that would rock the boat and reveal maybe a darker side, plenty of stuff happens and the boat gets rocked, but not in the way I thought. I still don't care all that much for Adam but I am interested in the future of him and Juliette and glad he is around for the next book.

Warner is a creep. That's all you need to know, didn't like him, not supposed to, just a slimeball really. But I don't hate him enough to care about what happens to him - maybe he will develop a bit more in the next book.

Overall the story is interesting and there are enough twists and turns to keep you interested, the concept is set up well enough to seem believable which helps you to get lost in the reading. I wouldn't say it's the best Dystopian I had ever read but I did finish it in 2 short sittings and I want to read the next one, so there are definitely quite strong positives. Definitely worth a try.

 

My Rating

      

Book Review - The Foundling

 

Title: The Foundling

Author: Stacey Halls 

Publisher: Manilla Press 

Release Date: 3 Sept. 2020 

ISBN-13: 978-1838771409

 Synopsis

Two women, bound by a child, and a secret that will change everything . . .

London, 1754. Six years after leaving her illegitimate daughter Clara at London's Foundling Hospital, Bess Bright returns to reclaim the child she has never known. Dreading the worst, that Clara has died in care, Bess is astonished to be told she has already claimed her. Her life is turned upside down as she tries to find out who has taken her little girl - and why.

Less than a mile from Bess's lodgings in the city, in a quiet, gloomy townhouse on the edge of London, a young widow has not left the house in a decade. When her close friend - an ambitious young doctor at the Foundling Hospital - persuades her to hire a nursemaid for her daughter, she is hesitant to welcome someone new into her home and her life. But her past is threatening to catch up with her and tear her carefully constructed world apart.

From the bestselling author of The Familiars comes this captivating story of mothers and daughters, class and power, and love against the greatest of odds . . .

 

My Review

I read the 'Familiars' a few months ago and really enjoyed it, so was excited to see that Halls had written another novel. This one is set in 1754 and follows Bess Bright, a young London girl you finds herself pregnant, unable to keep and support her baby she takes it to a Foundling hospital with the intention of working and saving so that one day she can go and collect her daughter and be a family. But when Bess returns to collect her daughter, she finds that the girl has already been taken, by someone claiming to be her. Now she must find out who has her daughter and why.

The book is split into three parts, the first and third are narrated from Bess' point of view and the second part is narrated by Alexandra - a wealthy young widow who hasn't left the house in years, she lives in her big house with just her daughter Charlotte and two maids. When she is convinced to hire a Nursemaid for Charlotte, she is skeptical about letting someone else into their lives, but these women are linked in a much deeper way.

I actually found this book really easy to read. I read it in just 2 sittings and found that I was captivated and totally drawn in. The writing just glides from the page and sweeps you along, I found myself totally immersed in Bess' world and that of Georgian London. I think Bess is a great character - she is thoughtful, honest, passionate and determined, she may not be the smartest of girls but she knows what she wants and holds family as very important. I immediately felt myself wanting her to get the happy ending and willing her on. Sure she makes mistakes and probably some very bad decisions but you can always see why she does it and she has the best intentions. 

Alexandra is a bit more of an enigma, keeps to herself and hides away from the world, but as the story develops you find out more about her past and her life and although she is presented as quite cold and callous, you can see that she is a product of her experiences and circumstances and I even started to feel sorry for her at points. 

I am really intrigued by the story of the Foundling hospitals, and really like that Halls bases her stories on actual Historical events and places. It makes the story feel even more real and I could imagine London at that time and all the people involved actually living there and experiencing these events. 

I find her writing totally captivating and she certainly has a gift for weaving a story that will carry you away. I highly recommend this book as an exciting, heart-warming, moving read.

My Rating