31 August, 2012

August 31, 2012 2

#Giveaway #BlogHop :: 2nd Annual Back to the Books Giveaway Hop



2nd Annual Back to the Book Giveaway Hop
September 1st to 7th

Since Amazon Kindle can deliver anywhere via Internet, This Giveaway is Open Internationally!
I will be giving away a Kindle Copy of one of the books listed below:

   


   

Winner can choose any One book from the list of 8 books. I will be gifting it through Amazon Account. 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don't forget to check the other blogs participating!

August 31, 2012 0

#BookReview :: Shades of Life: Sublime Joy Is in Living by Vasundhara Ramanujan & Mohammad Akmal

In November of 1996, fifteen-and-a-half-year-old Aditya Raghavan complained of a headache-one that could not be soothed with over-the-counter pain relievers. His motherVasundhara took him to the doctor where more tests were conducted. What the doctor discovered-chronic kidney disease-would change Aditya's life.
In "Shades of Life," author VasundharaRamanujan tells of her son's struggles with renal failure and the subsequent effects that his disease had on his life. The story traces the major stages of the progression of his disease and at each stage offers a glimpse into the physical, emotional, and psychological impacts of renal disease.

This series of chronological events shows how both mindsets of Aditya and his family collectively evolved until they were able to comprehend, accept, and eventually find the courage to overcome the challenges and continue leading a positive and meaningful life.Vasundhara candidly tells this story to help others appreciate the enormity of the disease, to help them be prepared to meet the ordeal, and to help them find a life-saving solution.



A fifteen year old boy suffers from a headache that none of the over the counter pain relievers can get rid of. A visit to the doctor for a quick check up leads to a situation that no one could have predicted. The boy is diagnosed with a kidney disease that could slowly take him towards a kidney failure and ultimately an untimely death. Thus begins the struggle for life for a teenager and his family.

Vasundhara, Aditya, Srinivas and Dhananjay were like any other family. Settled and revolved around each other. Hectic job and pressure of academic life were their only cause of anxiety. But everything changed with a single visit to a doctor’s office.  Aditya, the youngest in the family was diagnosed with a kidney disease. Thus began the medical treatment and diet control. Then came the almost inevitable dialysis and the transplant. 

Yes, Aditya survived and went on to graduate from IIT and earn a PhD. The complete account of how their lives were affected and how they battled against the disease is narrated by Aditya’s mother, Vasundhara Ramanujan in ‘Shades of Life’. The chapters in the book are like chapters of their lives and the book ends with a message of hope for not only Aditya and his family but also for those countless other families who are going through the same thing.

I have to say it right off the bat that though this is no work of fiction, at times it felt like fiction to me. And no, I don’t mean it in a negative way. It’s a compliment to Vasundhara because the courage and strength she has shown in her life is amazing. She has fought the disease alongside her son. She has probably had the toughest job – to fight a dangerous disease herself and donated her own kidney to her son. It is well known that there is nothing that can be compared to a mother’s love for her child and Vasundhara has proved that ten times over through her life.

Aditya himself is a brave person. Realizing that he had a life threatening disease at the age of fifteen and understanding the implications of that disease could not have been easy. I feel as if he had to grow up a few years in span of a few hours to actually understand. He has fought as hard as one can to live a life that we usually take for granted. His determination and adaptability surprised me time and again throughout the book. To see beyond the next dialysis and pursue his interest showed his strength of character.

The book also sends across the message that the doctors are only human after all. While there is corruption even in the medicine line, most doctors are sympathetic and humane. They can each only do so much after all. Srinivas and Dhananjay each played their part in this struggle. But still Vasundhara clearly overshadowed everyone with her strength, grit and positive attitude. 

What I liked about the book was the Preface written by Mohammed Akmal, an MD who is associated with the University of Southern California. He has been associated with the family for quite some time now. In his words he has characterized Vasundhara so well. Also there is a list of those who has lent their expertise in the medical field and guided the family through the most turbulent times. It was good to see that list there and that credit was given were it was due. There’s also a glossary of the medical terms and a bibliography at the end to guide the readers.

Overall, the experience of reading this book isn’t one that I can express through my limited vocabulary. I cannot say that I felt what the family had to gone through because I can only imagine the deep struggle and sympathize with the family. But yes, through the book, I have ‘watched’ the family struggle to deal with a whole lot of things. I have grown with Vasundhara and Aditya and I realize that we take our lives for granted while Aditya did not have that option. While we fight for and about petty things in our lives, Aditya had to fight for his life almost every single day of his life since he was fifteen. 

I would suggest and recommend this book to everyone I know as it will not only make the readers take a deeper look at their lives but also spread awareness of this killer disease. A MUST READ FOLKS!!





Also Available on : Flipkart

This review is a part of the Book Reviews Program at BlogAdda.com. Participate now to get free books!

30 August, 2012

August 30, 2012 7

#BookReview :: Betrayal (The Syrenka Series #2) by Amber Garr


Life as a mermaid can be suffocating.

Eviana Dumahl has returned home as a clan leader, an orphan, and a heartbroken teenage girl. Her parents are dead and her boyfriend, Brendan, has decided that he needs some time away. While battling her inner turmoil, Eviana is forced into the war that Lucian Sutherland has incited amongst her own kind. With the help of Kain, her friend and formally betrothed, the two work together to prove that they deserve their birthrights as young merfolk leaders.

When the Council requests a demonstration of Eviana’s mermaid powers, she finds herself with an opportunity to win back Brendan’s heart. But her orders to train with a repulsive merman and the presence of an attractive new suitor challenges Eviana to embrace her leadership and resist temptation. Lucian is after her, and no one seems to understand why. Loyalties are tested as the casualties increase, showing Eviana that sometimes it is impossible to delineate between friends and enemies.

Betrayal is the second book of The Syrenka Series trilogy following Eviana and her friends as they navigate through the challenges of existing in a secret world.


“Betrayal” is the second book in the Syrenka trilogy. It takes off a few days after where ‘Promises’ ended and is followed by Arise.

Eviana is back with her clan where she has taken her rightful place of that of the leader. While she has to prove to the clan members that she is capable, she also has to prepare herself for the war. She and Kain have a plan, but for that to work, she has to convince the Council that she is strong enough. But the council has their own plans and they decide that she needs a bit of training and sends her to a formally shunned member of their community. And oh! They also decide that the youngest council member, who also happens to be handsome and charming, should accompany her. Things start to spiral from there. Will Eviana be able to convince the council to take an offensive stance on the looming war? Will she be able to live up to the expectations of her clan?

Before I say anything else, I just have to say this – in this installment I lost patience with Eviana when it came to her love life. It was like she is attracted to any good looking guy around her even though she keeps chanting to herself that her heart belongs to Brendan! I felt like smacking her throughout the book!  Okay, I am done with my ranting… Now more about the book…

Unexpected attacks and twists keep the readers on the edge. If you thought that the twists in book one were surprising, then let me warn you that they are nothing compared to what the author has in store for her readers in this book. There’s a lot more action in this book than in Promises. That certainly spices things up for the readers. We get to learn more about the inhabitants of this amazing fantasy world – their characteristics, their powers and their weaknesses. It was entertaining to see the dynamics between Kain and Eviana as they discovered and nurtured their individual powers. Some of the characters in the book will surprise you.

All in all, keeping Eviana’s love life out of it, I really enjoyed this book. Ms.Amber has done it again and for that I would certainly recommend this book to the people with interest in the fantasy world!


About the Author

Amber Garr spends her days conducting scientific experiments and wondering if her next door neighbor is secretly a vampire. Born in Pennsylvania, she lives in Florida with her husband and their furry kids. Her childhood imaginary friend was a witch, Halloween is sacred, and she is certain that she has a supernatural sense of smell. She writes both adult and young adult urban fantasies and when not obsessing over the unknown, she can be found dancing, reading, or enjoying a good movie.

Say Hello to Amber

Giveaway
Ms.Amber Garr has kindly agreed to giveaway an e-copy of her book. Enter in the Rafllecopter below for your chance to choose which one you would like to win.



There will also be a tour-wide giveaway. All three (3) signed paperbacks of Promises, Betrayal, and Arise + Swag (“I'll have some cool stuff for them!” as described by Ms. Amber) to one winner. Open INTERNATIONAL, ENDS SEPTEMBER 30, 2012. 






Don't forget to drop by here again on 30th August for a review of Betrayal and please do stop by the other tour stops! Click Here for the list of upcoming tour stops. You can also use the linky list below to visits the stops that have already hosted this tour.

29 August, 2012

August 29, 2012 4

SPECIAL FEATURE :: An #Interview with Emlyn Chand


*** SPECIAL FEATURE - August'12 ***

This month we have Emlyn Chand as our Special Feature Author.  Here's a Recap of the Features so far...


Click Here : for a recap on Author Bio & Her Books
Click Here : for a recap on Excerpt, Fun Facts, FAQs & Character Quiz from Farsighted
Click Here : for a recap on Excerpt, Fun Facts, & Full first Chapter from Open Heart
Click Here : For Fun Character Interviews & the 'Ideal Open Heart Boyfriend' Quiz

Click on the Banners to Read My Reviews 

Now join in my chat with Emlyn Chand



Tell us a little bit about yourself. 
I’m Emlyn, a 27-year old YA, kids’ book, and women’s fiction author. I am also the president of Novel Publicity and a crazy bird lady too. And, oh yeah, I emerged from the womb with a fountain pen grasped firmly in my left hand (at least that’s what my Twitter bio says).

Photo1: Pegasus & Ducky                               Photo2: Ducky on... well a ducky!

What got you into writing?   
I believe writers are born into the craft—we haven’t got much choice, but it’s a great calling to have. As a child, I always had a story to tell. I also loved illustrating my own books and comics. I first became a writer writer when I began doing a book review column for the local paper. That taught me the importance of deadlines and letting the words flow out even when I had no idea what direction they’d take me in. 

What is the hardest part about writing?  
Honestly? Finding the time to get all my ideas down. I refuse to put out a story before its ready, so it takes me time to research the world, get to know the characters, write the first draft, and revise, revise, revise. I usually get at least a dozen shiny new ideas while I’m working on any given novel, and sometimes it’s incredibly difficult to ignore them. Writers must not chase shiny ideas! Otherwise, we’d never get anything done.

Tell us about the Farsighted Series.
Farsighted is a 5-book series about a group of high school students in Grandon, Michigan (a fictional town). Each is struggling with his or her own psychic power while trying to balance the everyday reality of being a teenager. The books change point-of-view, which means every character has one book to tell his or her piece of the story. Still, we have one cohesive story in the end. And I know how it ends, and you don’t—nah nah na boo boo! :-P

Who is your favourite character? (One of your own creation – published / unpublished)
Definitely Shapri. Not only is she the most fun of all my characters, but she’s also the kind of the person I wish I could have been like back when I was younger. She’s strong, always true to herself, and won’t let anyone disrespect her. Sure, she has fears, but we all do. Shapri is the kind of girl I would love to be friends with. You know she’ll always go to bat for you when you’re too tired to step up to the plate.

Tell us about Novel Publicity.
Novel Publicity is my business, and it provides services to authors in the form of social media marketing, blog tours, editing, and graphic and web design. We also have a kick-butt blog, which gets a ton of traffic. I started it about a year and a half ago and now have 20 employees. It’s just nuts how quickly it’s grown, and I’m ever grateful for the way bloggers and authors have accepted NP, enabling me to live out my two greatest dreams—working for myself and being a full time author.

Who is your favourite author & which is your favourite book? I know it is beyond difficult, but you can name only one in each category!
Favorite author—JK Rowling. Nobody rivals her creativity and skill for dialogue and world-building. NOBODY! Favorite book—A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving. It’s such a touching story and the characterization is flawless. 

Do any of your favourite Authors influence your writing style? If yes, then who and how?
Um, um, um... I’m not sure any authors directly influence my style, but there are certainly some that I look to as exemplary masters of the craft. They would be JK Rowling for dialogue-writing, Suzanne Collins for suspense, Vladimir Nabokov for prose, Victor Hugo for thematic resonance, and Gabriel Garcia Marquez for character relationships.

One advice for bloggers.
Always remember, blogging is a hobby, not a job. Don’t let authors bully you around, and don’t let your blogging experience be anything but fun and rewarding. There are a million jillon (maybe even more than that) authors whose lives you have changed for the better, and you are just pure awesome-sauce :-)

One advice for authors.
Have fun with your writing. Don’t put pressure on yourself or your story and don’t try to fit either into some type of mold. Not every work HAS to be published, but every work will teach you something, and it will make you a better writer. Find the joy in writing, and you won’t go wrong.

Enough of serious talks… tell us 5 Random Funny things about you and your life.
Dirr! Okay... 
I love show tunes and still toy with the idea of joining a theater company one of these days. 
I’m addicted to scarves—pashminas in particular. 
I like to write stories that push me to the brink of sanity (examples:  Open Heart and Torn Together). 
I am a mega-caffiene-aholic and routinely have 2-3 energy drinks per day.
I have 2 dogs—a golden retriever and a shih tzu; their names are Polo and Rugby.
  
Rugby & Polo                                  Polo                                     Rugby

Quick Choices:-
Fiction or Non-fiction   :  Fiction
Book or Movie           :  Book
Beach or Hills             :  Hills
Dusk or Dawn            :  Dawn
Pasta or Pizza             :  Pizza

If Farsighted series was to be turned into a movie - which Actor/Actress would you like to see playing the characters?
Taylor Lautner is Alex or the movie’s not getting made, okay? As far as the others are concerned, I’m not super obsessed with any particular actors playing them. My friend Haley at YA-Aholic did an awesome dream cast for Farsighted, so I’m going to link straight over to her.

http://www.ya-aholic.com/2012/02/farsighted-by-emlyn-chand-my-movie-cast.html

What’s brewing? What can we expect from you next? 
I’m working on a 12-book time travel series! The first 3 are called Fall Back, Spring Forward, and Leap Year. The protag Terra Wade falls into the Grand Canyon and back to the year 1852. She’s taken in by a kindly Hopi tribe and a hunka-chunka Hopi brave named Wick. There’s also a super cool cowboy named Zimmer. That’s just the first book. The second takes us to the 25th century, and I have plans to visit prehistoric times as well. This series is taking a while, since I have to do a lot of planning to hit a 12-book story arc, and it calls for a crazy amount of research! I’m excited though :-D

Anything else you would like to say to your readers/fans? 
Thank you for being my readers/ fans. If you would’ve told me three years ago that there would be people out there who absolutely loved my books, I never would have believed it. You guys have one-million-percent made my dreams come true!


Buy Her Books:





Giveaway
Now for the most amazing news! The Giveaway! Ms.Emlyn has very kindly agreed to Giveaway - One Winner will win Signed copies of Farsighted & Open Heart! Yay!! This is so exciting, I wish I could enter this myself... What are you waiting for??? Go Enter NOW!!

Rules:
1. There's only two compulsory entry to qualify for this Giveaway. 
2. If the compulsory entries are not completed properly, additional entries of that person will not count.
3. The Giveaway is open Internationally.
4. I will be selecting the winner through Random.org every Saturday and will be sending an e-mail. They have to reply with their mailing address/e-mail id within 48 hours, or I will select another winner.
5. Please do not leave your e-mail id in the comment section.


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28 August, 2012

August 28, 2012 2

#BookReview :: Gallagher's Hope (Gallagher Series #2) by M.K. McClintock



She sought a new beginning.
He sought what he didn't know was missing.
Together they would discover hope in unlikely places.

Isabelle Rousseau must escape New Orleans and the memory of her family's tragic loss. With her younger brother in tow, she accepts a position as the new schoolteacher in Briarwood, Montana. Desperate to keep what's left of her family together, Isabelle joins her life with a stranger only to discover that trust and hope go hand in hand.

Gabriel Gallagher lived each day as it came believing he had everything he could possibly want . . . until a determined woman and her brother arrive with a little luggage and a lot of secrets. It will take a drastic choice to protect her and give them both hope for the future.




When Isabelle Rousseau is left with no choice but to fled New Orleans along with her little brother, she takes up the job of a school teacher in Montana. Born into an affluent family, Isabelle has always had money and never had to worry about it. Now not only she has to settle down in a new town with nothing but responsibility of a younger brother, Isabelle is hoping for a fresh new start. Gabriel Gallagher is a happy man who is happy with what life has dealt him. That is until Isabelle arrived in town. It is only then that he is fully aware of what he was missing. When a terrible truth from Isabelle’s past threatens to rip off everything she had been working for, Gabriel steps in to rescue her. But there be an happily ever after for them?

This is the second book in the Gallagher Series. The first is Gallagher's Pride; which dealt about Ethan Gallagher. I haven’t had the chance to read the first book in the series, but that did not hamper my experience with this book. There were some references to the first story and I am sure that there are a lot of details about the Gallagher family in the first book. However, this book can almost stand on its own. But I also have to say that the idea of weaving in three different stories (or sub-plots) in three different books, but all under the same plot is great.

The characters of this installment (remember all of them are new to me) are brilliant. I love Isabelle for her strength to move in and settle in a foreign place because that was only right thing she could do by her brother. She takes whatever is thrown at her and takes the practical solution. I love the dynamics between Ibby and Andy. I love Gabriel, because he is so caring, gentle and patient! A perfect Gentleman. (There you go – I am in love with another fictitious character!!) But what I loved the most was the rest of the Gallagher family. They were in no means the perfect family – they had their own quirky little things and faults – and that’s what made them so believable! I loved the whole bunch.

The author has pretty straightforward way of storytelling. She builds up her characters and lets them grow throughout in whatever small way.  However, I couldn’t help but feel that there was something missing. That could be because I delved into the second part directly and anyway I am one of those people who is always looking for more in a book in some way or the other. 

This is fairly fast read and I finished reading it in one sitting. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a Love Story.




About the Author

McClintock is an entrepreneur, baker, photographer, tour host, reviewer, and multi-genre author. She was born on the west coast, but after less than eight years she left with her family to the Rocky Mountains. After more adventures around the country, business-college, and culinary school, McClintock found a place to call home in Montana.
Over the years McClintock traveled the country and visited magnificent Scotland. She dreams of a time when life was simpler, the land rougher, and the journey more rewarding. With her heart deeply rooted in the past and her mind always on adventure, McClintock will always call Montana home.

Connect with M.K

Giveaway
Three signed paperbacks and a gift card using the same Rafflecopter widget (below) for each tour stop. Drawing takes place end of tour. (If a winner is not in the US, an ebook will be given instead of print). 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Stops
July 31 - Introduction at the VBT Cafe' Blog
August 1 - 3 : Book Bonanza
August 1 - Review & Interview at A Book Lover's Library
August 3 - Guest Blogging at Wise Words

August 6 - Review & Character Interview at Whoopeeyoo 
August 8 - Reviewed at The Lucky Ladybug
August 10 - Interviewed by Louise James 

August 13 - Review & Guest Blog at A Case of Reading Insomnia
August 15 - Guest Blogging at Melissa's Mochas, Mysteries and More 
August 17 - Reviewed at Books, Books, and More Books
August 20 - Review & Guest Blogging at Hardcover Feedback

August 22 - Guest Blogging at Kimberly Lewis Novels 
August 24 - Guest Blogging at AZ Publishing Services 
August 28 - Interviewed at Infinite House of Books 
August 28 - Reviewed at b00k r3vi3ws 
August 30 - Interviewed at  Unnecessary Musings 


*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of The Virtual Book Tour Cafe' and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by The Virtual Book Tour Cafe', no payment was received by me in exchange for this review nor was there an obligation to write a positive one. All opinions expressed here are entirely of my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

27 August, 2012

August 27, 2012 1

#BookReview & #Giveaway :: Binding Arbitration by Elizabeth Marx

Through the corridors of the Windy City’s criminal courts, single mother Libby Tucker knows exactly how far she’ll go to save her cancer-stricken son’s life. The undefeated defense attorney is prepared to take her fight all the way to the majors. Circumstances force Libby to plead her case at the cleats of celebrity baseball player Banford Aidan Palowski, the man who discarded her at their college graduation. Libby has worked her backside bare for everything she’s attained, while Aidan has been indulged since he slid through the birth canal and landed in a pile of Gold Coast money. But helping Libby and living up to his biological duty could jeopardize the only thing the jock worships: his baseball career.

If baseball imitates life, Aidan admits his appears to be silver-plated peanuts, until an unexpected confrontation with the most spectacular prize that’s ever poured from a caramel corn box blindsides him. When he learns about his son’s desperate need, it pricks open the wound he’s carried since he abandoned Libby and the child. All Libby wants is a little anonymous DNA, but Aidan has a magical umpire in his head who knows Libby’s a fateball right to the heart. When a six-year-old sage and a hippy priestess step onto the field, there’s more to settle between Libby and Aidan than heartache, redemption, and forgiveness.


Banford Aidan Palowski, the college heart throb turned major baseball player has it all. Born into a rich family and with a star status, Aidan has had those things in life that most people can only dream of. Elizabeth Tucker is a successful Chicago defense attorney and single mom. She has had a tough life but has worked hard to earn a good life for herself and her six year old son, Cass. She had managed to move on after her heartbreak and had no plans of confronting Aidan again, till Cass is diagnosed with Leukemia. As the father of her son, Aidan possibly holds the key to the solution of the life-saving bone marrow transplant for Cass. Of course for her son, Libby would do anything any and thus she braces herself for the pain that her old wounds would bring up and faces Aidan. But will Aidan step up and do what needs to be done in order to save his son? Or will his career plans stop him? And what about his feelings for Libby?

The plot is just perfect. There’s love, there drama, there’s humour and there’s anguish – just like it is in life. It has a perfect mix of all sorts of emotions. The characters develop throughout the book. Libby is stubborn and strong. She leaves no stones unturned for her son and certainly goes that extra mile. Aiden’s strength is admirable. There are no two opinions about his failings, but he makes up for everything and in the end he holds on to everything that matters. Cass is a sweet boy that you will have no scruples about falling in love with. You can see a bit of both Libby and Aiden in him. The author’s style of writing is truly impressionable. To deal with the complications of relationships – whether between the protagonists or with their parents and then to mix in the complications of a child suffering with a disease like leukemia… it is just mind blowing. I absolutely have no words for the way the author has handled the intricate details of the lives of the people involved in such situations. 

Overall, this book is a complete rollercoaster journey. From laughing with the characters to crying for them, I have experienced it all while reading this book. I would recommend this book to everyone who… well just to about everyone I know!


About the Author
Windy City writer Elizabeth Marx brings cosmopolitan flair to her fiction, which is a blend of romance and fast-paced Chicago living with a sprinkle of magical realism. In her past incarnation she was an interior designer--not a decorator--which basically means she has a piece of paper to prove that she knows how to match and measure things and can miraculously make mundane pieces of furniture appear to be masterpieces. Elizabeth says being an interior designer is one part shrink, one part marriage counselor and one part artist, skills eerily similar to those employed in writing. 
Elizabeth grew up in Illinois and has also lived in Texas and Florida. If she’s not pounding her head against the wall trying to get the words just right, you can find her at a softball field out in the boonies or sitting in the bleachers by a basketball court. Elizabeth resides with her husband, girls, and two cats who’ve spelled everyone into believing they’re really dogs. 
Elizabeth has traveled extensively, but still says there’s no town like Chi-Town.

Other books by the Author
  

Say Hello to Her

Buy the Book


Giveaway
Ms.Elizabeth has kindly agreed to giveaway 2 e-copies of Binding Arbitration. Please enter the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win it!!

25 August, 2012

August 25, 2012 6

#BookReview :: The Lost Prince (The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten #1) by Julie Kagawa

Don’t look at Them. Never let Them know you can see Them.

That is Ethan Chase’s unbreakable rule. Until the fey he avoids at all costs—including his reputation—begin to disappear, and Ethan is attacked. Now he must change the rules to protect his family. To save a girl he never thought he’s dare to fall for.

Ethan thought he had protected himself from his older sister’s world—the land of Faery. His previous time in the Iron Realm left him with nothing but fear and disgust for the world Meghan Chase has made her home, a land of myths and talking cats, of magic and seductive enemies. But when destiny comes for Ethan, there is no escape from a danger long, long forgotten.

My name is Ethan Chase. And I may not live to see my eighteenth birthday.



I have been trying to get my hands on the Iron Fey Series for a REAL LONG time. But for some reason, I haven’t been able to get to it. So I was quite overjoyed when I got approved for this book on NetGalley. Before starting the book, I was aware that this was going to be a spin-off on the actual series and may contain some spoilers on the Iron Fey Series and so I was ready for them.

Ethan Chase is the brother of the Iron Queen, Meghan Chase. He has the Sight that allows him to see the Faery World. It is uncommon in the mortal world and the Fey are always aware of those who have the Sight. Having some unpleasant experience with the Fey, Ethan tries to stay away from both the Fey and normal human as he believes that his association can only hurt the human. He puts up a strong, dark, care-not attitude in front of everybody and is basically rude to anybody who tries to reach out to him. For him it’s the only way he can maintain distance and avoid trouble. Now at late teens, starting over in a new town and school, where his reputation had preceded him, Ethan has no plans to change his ways. All he wants is to avoid trouble and just get through high school. But his fate has other plans for him. No matter how much he wants to stay away, he cannot help but get involved when half-bloods and exiles start disappearing. He is forced to get back to the Iron Kingdom and to his sister to make sure that the right people know what is going on. What he didn’t count on was a smart, stubborn and cute Kenzie to get involved. Will he finally let someone see beyond the fake image that he puts up? Will he finally let somebody get close enough? Most importantly, will he answer the call of the fey?

I must say that all that hype over Julie Kagawa’s writing style – is true. She has spun an amazing world for the Faery. I absolutely loved her way of storytelling that gives the reader no chance to escape. Once you pick up the book, you cannot put it down till you have read the last line. I was no exception and got sucked in right from the beginning. 

The original characters from the Iron Fey Series, Ash – Meghan – Puck, made brief appearances. Though it doesn’t tell me much about them, but the glimpse of their personalities makes me feel like I am going to be a Puck fanatic when I finally get to reading the series. Red hair, lively and mischievous. Anyway, this book is all about Ethan Chase, Mackenzie St.James and Keirran. I like the dark and broody Ethan who is reluctant to get involved. But when it is clear that there is no other way, he does what is right and practical. He is strong and a good fighter. Kenzie is curious and loyal. I like her for being spunky and sticking to Ethan even though he tried his best to get rid of her. Keirran is a troublemaker for sure. He too has a certain charm. But with the way this book turned out, I am not too sure what to think about him.

Over all, this was a great experience. Now along with the Iron Fey Series, I will be equally eager to get my hands on every upcoming Call of the Forgotten books too.


Buy the Book