Review: Fated - Alyson Noel

Strange things have been happening to Daire Santos. Animals follow her, crows mock her, and glowing people appear from nowhere. Worried that Daire's having a breakdown, her mother sends her to stay with the grandmother she's never met, who lives on the dusty plains of Enchantment, New Mexico. There Daire crosses paths with Dace, a gorgeous guy with unearthly blue eyes.

Her grandmother recognises Daire's episodes for what they are - a call to her true destiny as a Soul Seeker, a person who can navigate between the living and the dead. Guided by her grandmother, Daire must be quick to learn how to harness her powers, because Dace's brother is an evil shape-shifter out to steal them.

Daire must embrace her fate as a Soul Seeker and discover whether Dace is the guy she's meant to be with . . . or if he's allied with the enemy she's destined to destroy.

The Soul-Seekers Series:
Fated
Echo (November 2012)
Mystic (2013)
Horizon (2013)

Visit Alyson Noel's website for more information

Review:
Daire has spent her life travelling the world with her mother who works as a make-up artist on various movie sets. She has never had somewhere to call home and has to start all over again every time they head off to a new destination. As she approaches her sixteenth birthday she starts suffering with strange visions and worries that she is losing her mind. When the doctors want to institutionalise her Daire's mother sends her to live with Paloma, the grandmother she has never met, as a last resort. Paloma may not have been in Daire's life as she was growing up but she claims to know why she is having these visions and promises to help her control them.

I have to confess that I've only read the first book in Alyson Noel's Immortals series, it is a series I want to continue but I just haven't had time to finish it yet. I couldn't resist Fated though - it sounded completely different to anything else I've been reading recently and I was intrigued by the idea of finding out more about Native American culture, shamans and spirit animals. I wasn't disappointed and Fated is a great start to this new series and it is one I'm looking forward to continuing.

When we are introduced to Daire she is living the high life in Morocco out on a date with the popular young heart throb from the movie her mother is working on. She seems just like any other sixteen year old until the terrifying visions start and she becomes hysterical. She has no explanation for the things that are happening to her which just makes it all the more frightening and she genuinely fears she is losing her mind. She never met her father's family, he died before she was born and her grandmother disappeared shortly after his death and hadn't been heard from since. When Paloma contacts her mother out of the blue Daire is horrified at the idea of going to live with a complete stranger in some small town in the middle of the desert. She resents her mother for sending her there but deep down she knows there is no other alternative unless she wants to be admitted to hospital.

As Daire gradually gets to know Paloma she finally realises what it is like to have a place that she can consider her home. She even starts to make some friends and gets to attend a proper school for the first time which is something she only ever dreamed of before. At first her grandmother's talk of spirit guides, magic and Soul Seekers just makes Daire raise her eyebrows and wonder if crazy runs in the family but she soon starts to realise that there is truth to what Paloma is saying. Daire starts to learn to control her abilities and as a reader you are taken on a fascinating journey with her into the spirit realm.

Fated moves at a good pace, the story is full of magic and mythology and there is the beginning of a promising romance that I'm looking forward to seeing more of. This is definitely a series I'm keen to continue and one I'd recommend to anyone looking for something a bit different in the YA paranormal genre. I can't wait to see what happens to Daire next!

Source: Received from Amazon Vine in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle:

Book Trailer: Fated - Alyson Noel

I have been looking forward to reading Fated, the first book in Alyson Noel's new Soul Seekers series ever since I was lucky enough to meet her at a Macmillan event last year. Fated is a fabulous start to the series (I'll be posting my review later today) and I can't wait to get my hands on the next book!

Strange things have been happening to Daire Santos. Animals follow her, crows mock her, and glowing people appear from nowhere. Worried that Daire's having a breakdown, her mother sends her to stay with the grandmother she's never met, who lives on the dusty plains of Enchantment, New Mexico. There Daire crosses paths with Dace, a gorgeous guy with unearthly blue eyes.

Her grandmother recognises Daire's episodes for what they are - a call to her true destiny as a Soul Seeker, a person who can navigate between the living and the dead. Guided by her grandmother, Daire must be quick to learn how to harness her powers, because Dace's brother is an evil shape-shifter out to steal them.

Daire must embrace her fate as a Soul Seeker and discover whether Dace is the guy she's meant to be with . . . or if he's allied with the enemy she's destined to destroy.

The Soul-Seekers Series:
Fated
Echo (November 2012)
Mystic (2013)
Horizon (2013)

Visit Alyson Noel's website for more information

Now have a look at the UK book trailer:



You can also watch this video of Alyson Noel talking about her inspiration for the Soul Seekers series and some of the research she did before she started writing it:

Publisher Spotlight: Macmillan - January - June 2012

I thought it would be fun to start spotlighting new releases that different publishers have coming up over the next few months for us to look forward to.  I'm constantly looking for new books to add to my wish list and thought it would be a nice way of spreading the bookish love with other bloggers.  I'm not sure how regular the posts will be yet but I have quite a few lined up already and we'll see how things go over the next few months.  So in the spotlight today we have . . .

Macmillan have some fabulous YA books coming out in 2012 that I'm really excited about!  This year really does look like it's going to be an amazing one.  Check out the Macmillan website for more information.

January:

Tempest by Julie Cross

Rich-kid Jackson Meyer has a secret: he can travel through time. But when a shocking event leaves him trapped in his own past, Jackson discovers that his comfortable life has a dark secret. Now he must find a way save the girl he loves, before they have even met.

I have already read Tempest and really enjoyed it (my review will be posted on Tuesday) so this is one I can definitely recommend.  This is Julie's first novel so counts towards the debut author challenge if you're taking part.  Visit Julie Cross' blog for more information.

February:

After the Snow by S.D. Crockett

Separated from his family, ‘straggler’ kid Willo is lost and alone in the barren landscape of the new ice age. Now, with only the dog-spirit inside his head to guide him, Willo must embark on an icy journey of survival, adventure and friendship.

After the Snow is another debut novel, this time from British author Sophie Crockett. I love dystopian stories so I'm really looking forward to this one.  Visit S.D. Crockett's page on Goodreads for more information.

Mice by Gordon Reece

Shelley and her mother are ‘mice:’ timid, nervous and obliging. The fragile peace of their remote countryside existence is shattered when someone breaks into their cottage. In the shocking event that follows, Shelley begins to wonder if she and her mother are mice after all. And if not mice, then what are they?

Mice is a psychological thriller so not a genre that I usually read but I'm really curious about the idea of a mother and daughter who are pushed so far that they are finally forced to stand up for themselves.  I wonder how far they will actually go to protect each other.  Visit Gordon Reece's website for more information.

Demon Trappers: Forgiven by Jana Oliver

Wanted by both the forces of Heaven and Hell,17-year-old demon trapper Riley Blackthorne is on the run. Armageddon might be closer than anyone thinks, but with an angelic bargain on one side and a deal with the devil on the other, it’s all Riley can do to stay alive, let alone save the world…

I loved the first book in the Demon Trappers series: Forsaken (read my review here) and I have the second book Forbidden sitting on my to read pile so I really must catch up before Forgiven comes out.  This is definitely a series I would recommend if you haven't tried it yet it has interesting mythology, scary demons, a kick ass heroine and a hot love interest - what more could you ask for?  Visit Jana Oliver's website for more information.

Jane Austen Stole My Boyfriend by Cora Harrison

A little mystery is so becoming in a hero, don't you think?

Jane wants to meet a hero worthy of her extraordinary imagination: a gentleman who is dashing and daring and handsome and brave; who can dance like a viscount and duel like a king. Jane and Jenny are whiling away the season in Bath and there are plenty of dances, rumours and scandals to entertain them. But a good reputation, once lost, is gone forever; and Jane is in danger of becoming the talk of the town for all the wrong reasons

Jane Austen Stole My Boyfriend sounds like a really cute historical romance.  It's actually the sequel to I Was Jane Austen's Best Friend which I hadn't heard of before but I think I'll have to check out this series.  Visit Cora Harrison's website for more information.

March:

The Prince Who Walked With Lions by Elizabeth Laird

Orphaned by war, Prince Alamayu of Abyssinia is brought to England by the British Army, befriended by Queen Victoria and enrolled in Rugby School.

This is his fascinating, poignant, meticulously researched story told by one of the UK’s most endearing novelists.

I'm really curious about The Prince Who Walked With Lions, I love historical fiction and it looks like this is based on a true story so I'm looking forward to finding out more.  Visit Elizabeth Laird's website for more information.
 

April:

 

All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin
 

Anya is a member of a notorious New York crime family, so when her violent ex-boyfriend is poisoned, suspicion naturally falls on her. Only the District Attorney believes she is innocent, but her freedom has a price: stay away from his son Win. Anya is finding Win hard to resist, but by getting involved with him she risks the wrath of the law on one side, and the mafia on the other…

A crime thriller set in a dystopian world All These Things I've Done is a book I'm really excited about!  Luckily I already have a copy of this one but I'm trying to hold off until nearer the release date before I read it.  Visit Gabrielle Zevin's website for more information.

Jasmine Skies by Sita Brahmachari

The second breathtaking novel from the winner of the Waterstone's Children's Book Prize.

Fourteen year-old Mira Levenson travels to India to meet her family and is quickly swept into a sweltering, chaotic world – full of new sights, smells and deeply buried secrets. Nothing is as she imagined it. Mira faithfully writes to her boyfriend, Jidé, but there’s one person she doesn’t mention. From the moment Mira meets Janu she feels a potent connection and he becomes her guide through the vibrant and often dangerous streets of Kolkata. As her time in India draws to an end, Mira is determined to uncover the truth about her family and she must also make a decision that will break someone's heart . . .

I've heard really good things about Sita Brahmachari's debut novel Artichoke Hearts, in fact I bought a copy months ago but just haven't had time to read it yet.  Her next novel Jasmine Skies is the sequel so it looks like I really need to bump Artichoke Hearts up the to read pile so I can read this one too.  I just have to mention how much I love the Jasmine Skies cover it's so pretty & orange is my favourite colour!  Visit Sita Brahmachari's website for more information.

May:

Abandon by Meg Cabot

Pierce Oliviera knows what it’s like to die: in fact she already has, if only for a moment. In the space between Heaven and Hell she met John Hayden – mysterious, attractive, dangerous – who ushers souls from one world to the next. But when Pierce returns to the land of the living, she finds that John has followed her back…

Underworld by Meg Cabot (no cover image currently available)

To escape the clutches of the vengeful Furies, Pierce Oliveria has gone to live with John Hayden in the dark Underworld between Heaven and Hell. But when she discovers that her family is in danger, she knows she must get out. Pierce has escaped from John once before. This time, she may not be so lucky…

Abandon was published last year and is the first book in Meg Cabot's Abandon trilogy.  This is another book that I've heard great things about and that I really need to read soon.  The second book in the trilogy Underworld will be published in the UK in May so it's definitely one to look out for if you loved Abandon.  Visit Meg Cabot's website for more information.

Young Sherlock: Fire Storm by Andrew Lane

Think you know him? Think again. Fourteen-year-old Sherlock has come up against some challenges in his time, but what confronts him now is completely baffling. His tutor, Crowe, and Crowe's daughter, Ginny, have vanished. Their house looks as if nobody has ever lived there. Neighbours claim never to have heard of them.

Sherlock begins to doubt his sanity, until a chance clue points him to Scotland . Following that clue leads him into the throes of a mystery that involves kidnapping, bodysnatchers and a man who claims he can raise the dead. Before he knows it, Sherlock is fighting for his life as he battles to discover what has happened to his his friends.

Fire Storm is the fourth book in the Young Sherlock series by Andrew Lane.  I have to admit I've not read any of the books in this series but I'm curious about the idea of a younger Sherlock so I might have to pick up a copy of the first book (Death Cloud).  Visit the Young Sherlock website for more information.

What's Up With Jody Barton? by Hayley Long

Jody and Jolene may be the world’s least identical twins, but they’ve both fallen for the same hot guy. And if that wasn’t complicated enough… there’s something nobody knows about Jody Barton. Something big.

I've heard a lot of great things about Hayley Long's Lottie Biggs series but I don't tend to read a lot of contemporary stories so I've not read them myself.  I'm sure her next novel What's Up With Jody Barton? will be popular with contemp fans though.  Visit Hayley Long's website for more information.

Soul Seekers: Fated by Alyson Noel

Strange things have been happening to Daire Santos. Animals follow her, crows mock her, glowing people appear from nowhere. Worried that Daire's having a breakdown, her mother sends her to stay with the grandmother she's never met, who lives on the dusty plains of Enchantment, New Mexico.There Daire crosses paths with Dace, a gorgeous guy with unearthly blue eyes.

Her grandmother recognizes Daire's episodes for what they are - a call to her true destiny as a Soul Seeker, a person who can navigate between the living and the dead. Guided by her grandmother, Daire must be quick to learn how to harness her powers, because Dace's brother is an evil shape-shifter, out to steal them.

Daire must embrace her fate as a Soul Seeker and discover whether Dace is the guy she's meant to be with . . . or if he's allied with the enemy she's destined to destroy.

I can't tell you how excited I am about Fated, the first book in Alyson Noel's new Soul Seekers series.  I have been waiting for this one ever since Alyson told us about it at a Macmillan event last year and think it's going to be a fantastic read.  This is definitely at the top of my wish list!  Visit Alyson Noel's website for more information.

So what do you think of the books Macmillan are publishing in the next few months?  Which ones are you most looking forward to?  Have you added any new ones to your wish list?

Macmillan Blogger Brunch & Everlasting Launch Party with Alyson Noel - 11th July 2011

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to be invited to the Macmillan offices for a bloggers brunch with special guest author Alyson Noel.  I can't tell you how excited I was about the event and meeting Alyson and we had a fantastic day.  I met up with Vicki (from Heaven, Hell and Purgatory Book Reviews) before the event and luckily she had worked out where we needed to go as I don't think I'd ever have managed to find the Macmillan offices otherwise!

When we arrived we had time to mingle with the Macmillan staff and chat with the other bloggers while we were treated to coffee and cake and it wasn't long before Alyson arrived with her husband.  Alyson was lovely and so friendly and happily answered all of our questions about the Immortals series and what she will be working on next.  She confirmed that Summit (the creators of the Twilight films) have bought the rights for the Immortals books and they are currently in discussions about whether to make it into a film or TV series.  Nothing has been confirmed yet but we were all very excited about the possibility of seeing the series on the big screen.

Alyson Noel with the bloggers

When talking about the Immortals books Alyson confirmed that Riley is very similar to the way Alyson was with her older sister.  Alyson told us about sneaking into her sister's room when she was out to try on her shoes and make up which used to drive her sister crazy.  She also mentioned that Ever's grief is based on the grief that she felt when she lost 3 friends quite close together, she found it really cathartic writing Evermore. 

When asked about Riley's spin off series Alyson said that originally Riley was due to have a very small part in Evermore but she had so much fun writing her character that she ended up with a bigger role in the story.  It was actually her editor's idea that she gave Riley her own series (something I'm really pleased about because I LOVE Riley!).  Alyson said that Riley's series has been a lot of fun to write because she can go anywhere and do anything, in fact she has just finished writing book 4 where Riley can be found in ancient Rome!

We also got to find out a little more about Alyson's new Soul Seekers series, she is currently 3/4 of the way through writing the first book and although she is finding it sad to say goodbye to the Immortals series she is having a lot of fun getting to know her new characters.  The Soul Seekers series covers themes of shamanism, spirit guides and magic and sounds like it will be a fascinating read.  The main character is a 16 year old girl who was raised by a single mum who works as a make up artist on movie sets.  Because of her Mum's job they are always moving so she is home schooled and finds it difficult to make friends.  When she suffers what appears to be a psychotic breakdown and starts seeing hallucinations she is actually coming into her shaman powers.  She goes to live with her grandmother in New Mexico to begin her training.  The story also includes a hot Native American romance and I can't wait to read it!  Luckily the book will be released in both the US and the UK next May so we don't have too long to wait.

It was lovely to meet Alyson and we all had a fantastic time at the brunch.  We even got sent home with a goodie bag full of lots of exciting looking books and I can't wait to get started on them all!  I'd like to say a massive thanks to everyone at Macmillan for organising the event and also to Alyson for being so lovely!

Fab books found in my goodie bag!

We had also been invited to the Everlasting Launch Party in the evening so in the afternoon a few of us (Vicki, Lynsey, Stacey & I) did a little shopping (not books for a change!) and then spent a couple of hours in Pizza Hut catching up and nattering about books.  Unfortunately Lynsey couldn't stay for the evening so after she'd left to get her bus home we headed over to Shoreditch to find the event.

The party was held in a basement bar / club called Concrete and it had been decorated beautifully for the occasion with candles, tulips and all of the books from the Immortals series.  Anyone who was over 18 got to sample Red Elixir cocktails and there was a nail bar and even a Tarot reader.  We had such a great time soaking up the atmosphere and chatting to everyone, it really was a fab evening!  Vicki and I manged to get the first two slots with the Tarot reader which was great fun.  I've never had a Tarot reading before but the things she told me were spookily accurate!

Alyson giving her speech

Alyson gave a heartfelt speech thanking her fans and book bloggers for their support and at one point managed to bring tears to my eyes.  She said that when she started writing the series she never expected anyone apart from her family to read it and she couldn't have imagined the possibility of coming to the UK on tour.

The Immortals Series

We were very excited to be given another goodie bag, this one containing the entire Immortals series that Alyson very kindly signed for us all.  It really was a fantastic evening and I'd like to say a massive thanks to Macmillan for all the hard work that must have gone into making it such a success! 

Here are a few more pictures I took throughout the evening:

Who was there:

Sally, Hattie, Lauren, Louise, Polly, Emma, Sam, Rachel & Amy - Macmillan / My Kinda Book - Blogger Brunch Write Up & Everlasting Launch Party Write Up

Alyson Noel - Website - Event Write Up

Alice - The Reader Room

Casey & Hayley - Dark Readers - Event Report

Jo - Once Upon A Bookcase / Ink & Paper

Lucy - 5 Minutes Peace

Lynsey - Narratively Speaking

Stacey - The Pretty Books

Vicki - Heaven, Hell and Purgatory Book Reviews - Event Report

Review: Evermore - Alyson Noel

Sometimes love is eternal.
For good . . . For evil . . . Forever

Sixteen-year-old Ever Bloom is the sole survivor of a car accident that killed her family.  Exiled to sunny California, Ever is haunted by her little sister and by the ability to see people's auras, hear their thoughts and know their entire life story by touching them.  She wants to hide from the world, but when a stunningly handsome new guy arrives at school, she can't seem to keep away.  Falling in love with Damen is dangerous - he's not what he seems.  But if Damen is her destiny, how can Ever walk away?

The Immortals Series:

Evermore
Blue Moon
Shadowland
Dark Flame
Night Star
Everlasting

Visit Alyson Noel's website for more information

Review:

I bought my copy of Evermore before I started blogging and like so many other books it has sat on my bookshelves just waiting for me to read it.  When I was invited to an event with Alyson Noel I thought it was about time I picked it up and I'm so glad I did.  I'm a big fan of paranormal stories so it's probably no surprise that I enjoyed it but what I was really impressed with is that it wasn't what I was expecting.  I found Ever's psychic abilities fascinating and I loved the fact that Damen isn't your standard vampire that has become so common in YA urban fantasy stories.

Ever is an easy character to relate to, she lost her parents and her younger sister Riley in a horrible accident and ever since then she has struggled to deal with her guilt and her grief.  You can't help but feel for her as she tries to make sense of being the only person in her family to survive and my heart really went out to her.  Since the accident Ever has gained some new abilities, she can see ghosts, hear people's thoughts, see their auras and if she touches someone she will know their life history.  She is still trying to learn to cope with these abilities and it isn't easy for her constantly being bombarded with information she doesn't want to know and learning everyone's deepest, darkest secrets.  I'm looking forward to seeing how Ever grows into her abilities as the series progresses.

It took me a while to decide what to make of Damen, yes he's hot but there is still an air of mystery about him and I hope we get to learn more in future installments.  At times I was convinced that he was out to harm Ever but then he'd do something that would completely change my mind about him again.  I liked the fact that although Ever felt drawn to him because he seemed to lessen her psychic abilities she didn't immediately fall head over heels for him.  She remains wary of him and shows good sense that is often lacking in YA paranormal stories.  I have to say that one of my favourite characters was Riley, she had me laughing out loud so many times with her crazy ghostly antics and I'm so excited that she gets her own spin off series.  That is definitely going on my wish list. 

Overall I though Evermore was a promising start to a series and I'm looking forward to reading more.  The story was a page turner and I flew through reading it, there were a few things I would have liked to have seen expanded on, especially towards the end, but if you're like me and late to the Immortals party I'd definitely recommend giving it a try.

Source: Purchased

Other Reviews:

If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.