The Last Academy Blog Tour: Review and Giveaway

Thank you for stopping by Unabridged Bookshelf's blog tour stop for The Last Academy bu Anne Applegate. While I have a review and a tour-wide giveaway, make sure to check out all the fun by clicking the banner above. 

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: The Last Academy

Author: Anne Applegate

Publisher: Point

Publication Date: April 30, 2013

Buy The Last Academy: Amazon 

Curtis Sittenfeld's PREP meets THE SIXTH SENSE in this spine-tingling, unforgettable debut.
Camden Fisher arrives at boarding school haunted by a falling-out with her best friend back home. But the manicured grounds of Lethe Academy are like nothing Cam has ever known. There are gorgeous, preppy boys wielding tennis rackets, and circles of girls with secrets to spare. Only . . . something is not quite right. One of Cam's new friends mysteriously disappears, but the teachers don't seem too concerned. Cam wakes up to strangers in her room, who then melt into the night. She is suddenly plagued by odd memories, and senses there might be something dark and terrible brewing. But what? The answer will leave Cam--and readers--stunned and breathless, in this thrilling debut novel.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 Anne Applegate was born in Chico, California.  Most of her childhood was spent moving across America with her family, nomad style.

When Anne was fourteen, her parents sent her to boarding school so she could spend four years in a single educational system.  As it turned out, her family then promptly settled into a small mid-western town and lived there for the next sixteen years.  Anne still hasn’t figured out if this means something.

After graduation, she went on to Tufts University in Medford, MA, where she had a wicked good time. Eventually, she  wound up back on the west coast, where she married a fantastic Californian guy.  Together, they have three children.

For the last twelve years, Anne has lived  in San Luis Obispo County.  This is by far the longest time she has stayed in any one place her whole life.  She immensely enjoys living  where 1) the sun always shines and 2) she isn’t the weirdest person in town.

Website | Twitter

MY REVIEW

The Last Academy by Anne Applegate is a breath of fresh air in young adult books. When I started The Last Academy, I was not sure if I was just reading a book about boarding school with a dash of mystery or something else. I was pleasantly surprised to find out it was something I have never come across in young adult fiction, and I really loved discovering every detail.

Camden has a fight with her best friend before going off to boarding school at the Lethe Academy. The longer she is there; the perfect picture of the happy academy life starts to blur. Camden is used to being a follower, but once she gets to Lethe she starts to come out on her own. The more she grows into her own, the more I grew to like her spunk.

The final line of the synopsis is entirely true when it comes to The Last Academy, the storyline is unlike I have ever seen, and I really think all readers would appreciate the creativity that went into the story. Even when I started to suspect the story was taking a turn, I was still not sure where it was turning. This factor alone is something that does not happen a lot when I read anymore, and it was refreshing to experience it again.

For a debut novel, The Last Academy is on a different planet, and I would love to visit that planet. I know that I would read another book by Anne Applegate. Seriously, it is hard to discuss anything about this book, because I just do not want to give a single morsel away to readers.

**Unabridged Bookshelf recieved this book from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review**

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Book Blast: Excerpt and Giveaway of Escaping Darkness by Theresa McClinton

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Escaping Darkness
Author: Theresa McClinton
Series: Stone Legacy #1.5
Publication Date: May 2013
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | All Romance E-books

She may have spent years in an asylum, but that didn’t make her crazy–just fearless.
Dropped in Moscow with her friends on an impossible mission against underworld forces, Tara is left to her feelings of overwhelming inadequacy. Her boyfriend is a healer, her best friend is “the Guardian,” and everyone else is a powerhouse of awesome strengths. The only thing she has been able to contribute are her memories, which has left her with nightmares of her time spent at the mercy of the evil Sarian–who everyone has gone to fight.
Alone with her emotions, Tara finds herself falling into a city of depravity and corruption. And amidst all this evil is a young man with an agenda of his own, who leads her down a road that will either prove she is a hero at heart, or drag her into a world she’s always feared.
He wants revenge, she wants redemption. And in an underground rings of missing girls and bloody sacrifices, only the fearless can survive…

OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A long time enthusiast of things that go bump in the night, Theresa began her writing career as a journalism intern—possibly the least creative writing field out there. After her first semester at a local newspaper, she washed her hands of press releases and feature articles to delve into the whimsical world of young adult and new adult paranormal and contemporary romance.
Since then, Theresa has been married, had three terrific kids, moved to central Ohio, and was repeatedly guilt tripped into adopting a menagerie of animals that are now members of the family. But don’t be fooled by her domesticated appearance. Her greatest love is travel. Having traveled to over a dozen countries and explored dozens of U.S. states—including an extended seven-year stay in Kodiak, Alaska—she is anything but settled down. But wherever life brings her, Theresa will continue to weave tales of adventure and love with the hope her stories will bring joy and inspiration to her readers.

Excerpt from Escaping Darkness

Rays of morning sun crept through the windows of Tara’s hotel room. She was already awake, frozen in bed and staring at the entrance. Harsh whispers echoed from the hall paired with rushed footsteps on the carpeted floors beyond the door. She gripped the blanket, her heart pounding in anticipation.

She flung the covers aside and hurried across the room. The knob rattled followed by several sharp pounds. She peered through the peephole before swinging open the door. Renato rushed in with a limp Hawa hanging in his arms.

“Oh my god! What happened?”

Renato laid Hawa on the bed. Black hair spilled over her face as she moaned.

Peter stumbled into the room, his eyes glossed over with sleep. Renato glanced over his shoulder and waved him over. “We need your help.”

Tara’s chest tightened while she stared at them. “Where’s Ashley?” Renato glanced at her and then back to Hawa without a word. Tara stepped forward, a knot forming in her stomach. She gripped the bedpost, her legs beginning to feel like mush. “Mr. Renato, what happened to Ashley?”

“She’ll be fine,” Peter said while examining Hawa’s bandaged leg. “I don’t sense any breaks or fractures. No lesions.” He stared up at Renato. “What the hell happened?”

Renato paced, rubbing the five o’clock shadow that darkened his chin and jawline. “Sarian was much stronger than we anticipated. When Ashley tried to retrieve the stone, he somehow sensed her, even with the masking spell.”

Figures. Tara knew it was bad news when that witch offered to help. She hated the idea from the start, but being outnumbered and a girl with no abilities to contribute, she thought it better to keep her mouth shut and let Renato and Ashley make the final decision. The masking spell could have been a dud. For all they knew, Contessa might have wanted Ashley dead to take her stone. The witch only helped to get revenge on Sarian in the first place. Who knows what other motives she had. Tara still wasn’t sure of the extent of the stone’s power, but since every underworlder seemed to want to get their hands on it, it had to be capable of some unworldly things.

“Who healed Hawa?” Peter asked.

“Contessa. At her home.” Renato glanced at his watch. “We arrived back less than an hour ago.”

“Well, it looks like she did a decent job.” Peter laid the back of his hand against Hawa’s forehead. “No fever. I think she’s just exhausted. We should let her sleep.”

Tara let go of the bedpost, anger peeling away her layers of patience. There was no way she’d let them keep ignoring her. With her fists perched on her hips, she glared at them. “If someone doesn’t answer me in the next two seconds, I swear I’m going to flip the hell out.” They both stopped and stared at her. Tara swallowed. “Where’s Ashley?”

Anger was as good as any other emotion right now—better even, since it kept her blood rushing fast enough to prevent her from passing out if the news was grim.

Renato gave a deep exhale. “Tara.”

The way he said her name sucked the heat right out of her body.

She wound her fingers into her mess of red curls. “Oh God. What?”

“Please don’t panic,” he continued. “She is not hurt.”

Tara exhaled a calming breath and gestured toward the door. “I’m gonna go talk to her.” When she took a step forward, Renato stepped to the side, cutting off her path. She stared up at his tight face. “I’ll be right back. I just want to go see how she’s holding up.”

“Tara.” But when he said her name the second time, his tone hadn’t changed, and the look in his eyes told her something was wrong. He ran his fingers through his hair, smoothing it down. “She’s not here.”

“What do you mean she’s not here? You said she’s all right.”

“Yes, that’s true.”

Tara shifted her weight. “Well, where is she?”

“She and Arwan left to get Jayden back.”

“Back?” Tara scanned the room. In all of the chaos, she hadn’t noticed Jayden wasn’t there. “Is he pulling another stunt to win Ashley over?”

“I don’t think that’s what’s going on this time,” Peter said.

“Sarian is stronger than we realized.”

“But…” Tara shook her head. “I don’t understand.”

“Jayden was killed in battle.”

She felt like someone had kicked her in the chest. “What?” She gasped, her bottom lip quivering with her voice. She had known Jayden almost as long as Ashley, and even if they weren’t as close, he was her friend. She swallowed past the ache in her throat.

Peter took her hand.

“She and Arwan rushed to Guatemala,” Renato continued. “To the caves of Naj Tunich.”

She tightened her grip on Peter’s hand while suspicion crawled over her. “Ashley hates caves. Why would she want to go there?”

“Ashley was determined. I attempted to convince her it was a dangerous, reckless idea, but she insisted. She and Arwan traveled to the caves to find Houn—the Guardian of Souls. She has the insane thought that they can get Jayden’s soul back in time.”

Tara pulled away from Peter, grabbed Renato’s collar, and jerked him forward. “Are you trying to tell me that my best friend is going to meet up with the Grim Reaper?”

Renato stared down at Tara’s fingers clenching his shirt.

She let go of his collar. “I want proof. Ashley wouldn’t just take off like that. Not without telling me first.”

Renato straightened his posture while smoothing out the wrinkles in his clothes. “I managed to rent a cold chamber for Jayden’s body in the local morgue.” He paused, watching her skeptical stare. His lips pressed tightly together. “If escorting you to see his body is the only way to convince you I am being honest, that is certainly an option.”

Tara took a step back. “Oh my God. You’re serious.”

“Unfortunately, yes. If Ashley and Arwan cannot retrieve his soul before Houn places it, the morgue is where Jayden’s body belongs. Either way, we need to preserve it the best we can.”

“Preserve?” She choked on the word and slowly lowered herself to the mattress beside Hawa’s feet.

Peter tucked a curl behind Tara’s ear. “It’ll be all right.”

She wanted to believe him, but something in her gut told her it wouldn’t be that simple. “Jayden’s dead and…Ashley didn’t even say goodbye. What if—” Her breath caught in her throat. “What if I never see her again?”

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Chantress Blog Tour: Review, and Giveaway

Welcome to Unabridged Bookshelf's stop on the Chantress Blog Tour, organized by Shane @ Itching for Books! I have a review, small excerpt, and a tourwide giveaway today, but to check out all the awesome happenings on this tour click the banner above!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Chantress

Author: Amy Butler Greenfield

Series: Chantress Trilogy #1

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Publication Date: May 7, 2013

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Lucy’s Chantress magic will make her the most powerful — and most hunted — girl in England.
“Sing, and the darkness will find you.” This warning has haunted fifteen-year-old Lucy ever since she was eight and shipwrecked on a lonely island. Lucy’s guardian, Norrie, has lots of rules, but the most important is that Lucy must never sing. Not ever. Now it is 1667, Lucy is fifteen, and on All Hallows’ Eve, Lucy hears a tantalizing melody on the wind. She can’t help but sing — and she is swept into darkness.
When she awakes in England, Lucy hears powerful men discussing Chantresses — women who can sing magic into the world. They are hunting her, but she escapes and finds sanctuary with the Invisible College, an organization plotting to overthrow the nefarious Lord Protector. The only person powerful enough to bring about his downfall is a Chantress. And Lucy is the last one in England.
Lucy struggles to master the song-spells and harness her power, but the Lord Protector is moving quickly. And her feelings for Nat, an Invisible College apprentice and scientist who deeply distrusts her magic, only add to her confusion…
Time is running out, and the fate of England hangs in the balance in this entrancing novel that is atmospheric and lyrical, dangerous and romantic.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Amy Butler Greenfield was a grad student in history when she gave into temptation and became a writer. Since then, she has become an award-winning author.  Born in Philadelphia, Amy grew up in the Adirondack Mountains and later studied history at Williams College, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Oxford. She now lives with her family in England, where she writes, bakes double-dark-chocolate cake, and plots mischief. Website | Twitter

MY REVIEW

Chantress cast a spell on me with it story, and I could not put it down until I had finished every word. This historical fantasy has a magic all its own, and it is really takes you away to another time and place. Chantress is a delightful novel that I dove right into, and I did not come up for air until it was finished. With the demands on time in this day that is a feat in its self for me to read a book in one sitting, but I could not have read Chantress in any other way.

The characters of Chantress are fun to read about; especially the stubborn but determined Lucy. Lucy discovers she is one of the Chantresses, a person who can weave magic with a few simple notes. She realizes she is in danger, but instead of fleeing from it, she decides she must help those under the rule of a corrupt protector. From someone who grows ups shelter on an island, she is compassionate about her fellow man, and that is the part I loved about her most.

I do not read historical fiction of any kind all that often, but when I do, I am pleased when it feels authentic to the time. Chantress is set in 1667, and it is obvious that the author, Amy Butler Greenfield, did her research before describing the scenery and the background of London, England. As someone who really enjoys history, even when reading fiction it is those little details that really make a story what it is in my eyes.

I really think even readers who do not like historical fantasy would enjoy the magic of Chantress. It is a beautiful start to what could be a great trilogy. I am excited to see where Lucy is going to go next. I am also excited by the prospects of Nat, and cannot wait to see what develops between him and Lucy in the next book in the Chantress Trilogy.

*Unabridged Bookshelf recieved this book for the publisher, in exchange for an honest review**

Excerpt/Small Teaser

"But we never sand. We never even whistled or hummed. We had no music of any kind. And if anyone had asked me, I would have said I did not miss it at all...

Until now.

It was as if the singing had pierced a hole in me, a hole only it could fill. I sat silent, listening hard."

**Taken from an ARC, and maybe subject to changes**

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Wrecked by Alyssa Rose Ivy Blog Tour: Review, Guest Post, and Giveaway

Welcome to Unabridged Bookshelf's stop on the Wrecked Blog Tour! Today not only to I have a review of Wrecked, but I have an infomative Guest Post by the amazing Alyssa Rose Ivy! To check out all the amazing stuff happening on this tour, make sure to click the button above. 

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Wrecked

Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy

Series: Clayton Falls #3

Publication Date: April 30, 2013

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

When your past catches up, it's time to stop running.
Jake Mathews messed up yet again— but this time his misstep lands him in the hospital. He wakes up to find the girl of his dreams and the memory of having his deepest secret revealed.
Emily Taylor needs a break. She's been working double shifts as a nurse just to pay the bills while trying to heal a broken heart. The last thing she needs is to fall for a patient.
Strapped with community service and the knowledge that he's disappointed everyone in his life, Jake is determined not to let Emily slip through his fingers. Emily wants Jake, but can she really open herself up to heartache again?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alyssa Rose Ivy is a Young Adult and New Adult author who loves to weave stories with romance and

a southern setting. Although raised in the New York area, she fell in love with the South after moving to New Orleans for college. After years as a perpetual student, she turned back to her creative side and decided to write. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and two young children, and she can usually be found with a cup of coffee in her hand. 

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

What I wish I’d Known Before I Published my First Book

It’s been almost two years since I hit publish on my first book, Beckoning Light. I’ve had plenty of time to reflect, and here are some of the things I wish I’d known before starting.

The importance of the right cover.

From the beginning, I knew how important editing was. I was determined to put out a quality book with fantastic editing. To that end I succeeded. What I didn’t take into consideration is how important the right cover is. Beckoning Light is a YA fantasy, and I wanted the cover to feel fantastical. I had a friend who did some work in graphic design create a cover for me that used a photo my husband took. I thought it looked fantastic—and I actually have it framed in my office as a reminder of where I started—but it didn’t sell books. I learned the hard way that people really do judge a book by the cover.  After a few changes, I finally found a cover that appealed to my audience and reflected the book.

Be careful what you commit to.

Writing a series sounds fun. You keep hearing that series’ sell better, so you might as well start by writing a trilogy or 7-book series, right? Maybe, maybe not. Starting a series is a big decision, and you need to think through where you see yourself by the time the series is done.  I love my Afterglow Trilogy, but I definitely had doubts when Beckoning Light didn’t immediately take off. (BTW Afterglow readers, Enduring Light is coming!)

One book is most-likely not enough

The last thing you want to hear when you publish your first book is that the best way to sell books is to write more books, but it’s the truth.

The best book may not be a bestseller.

This one is a hard one to swallow, but it was an important lesson. Along those lines, you have to consider marketing and audience. No matter how good a book is, the real goal is to get it into readers’  hands. You can’t do that if there isn’t an audience. Still, it’s all about striking a balance. You need to release the books you love.

Your skin needs to be really thick (as opposed to just thick).

I knew I’d get negative reviews, but I wasn’t prepared for how much they’d hurt. This is especially true with characters and stories that are close to your heart. Reviews that call Charlotte from Beckoning Light  weak used to feel like personal attacks because she has so much of me in her. I also have an especially hard time with Derailed reviews. That book deals with suicide, which is something that has touched my life several times. It’s such an emotional story that I sometimes have a hard time separating myself. On the flip side, I never imagined how great it would be to have readers connect with my books. One comment from a reader who enjoys a book makes up for any negative reviews.

Success is hard to measure.

How do you definite success as an author? It’s something that constantly changes, and differs for all of us. What I have learned, is that one type of success is releasing quality books that readers enjoy. 

MY REVIEW

Alyssa Rose Ivy has been one of my favorite authors since I first read Beckoning Light in her Afterglow series, and I have loved every single book and series she has put out since then. It did not take any persuasion to jump on board to read and review Wrecked. As a fan of the first two books in the Clayton Falls series, the one story I have been looking forward to was Jake’s story. In Wrecked, I finally got my wish, and it was so much better than I imagined.

The best part about the Clayton Falls series is that it is set around the town, and each book has their own storyline and characters, with characters of the previous novels of course still popping up here and there. Jake from the very beginning of his introduction in Derailed is a troubled young man. He had not been in a serious relationship, and he really liked to drink his problems away. After Veer, I wanted to see where Jake’s story was going to take him, and I really wanted him to have some real romantic possibilities. Wrecked is exactly what I wanted for Jake, and so much more.

Emily is a very sweet young nurse, who unexpectantly crosses paths with Jake Mathews, and that is where the story truly begins. Emily is the girl next door that you want to see happy, but has many secrets in her past that keep her from being truly happy. She is a very complex character that I felt for immediately. I knew she would be a great character to balance out Jake, and keep him on his toes.

I think even fans of The Clayton Falls series that did not like Jake will fall in love with Wrecked. The story is moving and you cannot help but root for Emily and Jake. Alyssa Rose Ivy has made another impressive and addicting addition to Clayton Falls. I am going to be sitting here and waiting to see what Alyssa Rose Ivy cooks up next, because if it is anything like the rest of her books I will have to get my hands on it.

**Unabridged Bookshelf recieved this book in exchange for an honest review**

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Unabridged Bookshelf Reader Survey

Today is my birthday, and to celebrate I want to know what my readers like and dislike about Unabridged Bookshelf. I am trying to revamp how I do things on this blog and what the input of the most important people, my readers. 

I know that in the last few months that I have stopped posting as frequently, and i am not connecting with anyone on social media. I sat down an thought about why I have pulled back, and I think it comes down to multiple reasons. First and foremost is time. Just like everyone my time is split between many many things, such as my family, life in general, and trying to run Unabridged Bookshelf. I happen to be a horrible procrastinator, and leave everything to the last minute. I am trying to become more organized especially with my time. I am also the type of person that has to be in the right mood to do something most times, so I am also working on making the most of the time when the mood hits me. 

Another impact on my blogging that I did not think would affect me, but I still realize has me pulling back from social media is drama. I have never been pulled into drama or been affected personally by the drama that befalls bloggers such as backlash from a negative reviews, comments or the worse, plagiarism. It still has me discouraged by the drama that keeps happening. When I first started book blogging, it was more of a community and a lot less drama. In the past year it seems that new drama starts almost every other week. Even though I have not been a part of any drama, it still takes a toll on my love of book blogging, and it is ruining the way people see book bloggers in general. No one, especially me, wants to log on to Twitter or Facebook and see the next scandal breaking. I am no sure how to not let this factor affect my love of blogging, so suggestions are welcome on that front. 

Anyways, I have been thinking all week about re-vamping or reorganizing how I post and do things here on Unabridged Bookshelf. I would love to see what my readers prefer, and work those suggestions into how I post and what I post on Unabridged Bookshelf. While I blog for me, and I want to run the blog to suit me, I also want to give readers what they want. If you take the time to read my long post and fill out my survey I would most appreciate it.

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The Prophecy Series Blog Tour: Lords of Prophecy by Michael Rothman

I am really happy to be participating in The Prophecy Series Blog Tour! I have had the pleasure of reading the first two books last fall, and I have a review of the final book in the series, Lords of Prophecy. Kismet Book Touring organized the whole events, so make sure to check out the full scheduel of events by clicking the button above. 

ABOUT THE SERIES

Title: Heirs of Prophecy

Author: Michael A. Rothman

Series: The Prophecies #1

Publication Date: April 3, 2012

Genre: Epic YA Fantasy

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Indiebound

The Riverton family had been enjoying a simple summer vacation when, through a fluke of nature, they found themselves in a strange new land.

The Riverton brothers quickly realize that in this world, they have gained unusual powers. Powers that their parents fear will attract the attention of Azazel himself – the merciless wizard who brutally controls this world.

The two brothers soon learn that an ancient prophecy has finally been initiated by their arrival in Trimoria. As the heirs of this prophecy, they are destined to lead the armies of men, dwarves, elves, and even a misfit ogre against the prophesied demon horde.

Only one thing stands in their way.

The evil wizard who has learned of their presence, and has sent assassins to wipe them from existence.

Title: Tools of Prophecy

Author: Michael A. Rothman

Series: The Prophecies #2

Publication Date: August 1, 2012

Genre: Epic YA Fantasy

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Indiebound

The TOOLS OF PROPHECY is the second volume in an epic saga which describes a prophecy that has placed the Riverton brothers in the lead roles of a struggle to save their world from being overrun by unspeakable horrors. This destiny requires that they face off with the demons that nearly destroyed their world over five centuries ago.
In the first book, the population of wizards had been practically eradicated by the former tyrant. The Rivertons are now charged with creating an Academy of Magic, recruiting qualified students, and furthering their own training with secrets that have long been held by the reclusive elves.
Despite their youth, a mysterious spirit has engaged them in an epic struggle to gain mastery of their newfound skills, help raise and train two armies, and stay alive long enough for their final showdown with destiny.
The only things that stand in their way are the assassins hired to destroy them and the Demon Lord’s minion who holds a personal grudge and intends to witness the young boys’ deaths..

Title: Lords of Prophecy

Author: Michael A. Rothman

Series: The Prophecies #3

Publication Date: March 1, 2013

Genre: Epic YA Fantasy

Amazon | Barnes and Noble 

The Riverton brothers have completed their training, and despite their own personal skills, they worry about the forces arrayed against them. Knowing the barrier that’s kept the people of Trimoria safe for over five centuries is weakening, the brothers ready their ragtag army of humans, dwarves, and elves for battle.
In the meantime, on the other side of the ancient barrier, a growing army of demons have readied themselves for the final battle against the people of Trimoria.
As the barrier weakens, Ryan is struck by bouts of debilitating madness. As the barrier crumbles, so does the hope of Trimoria’s citizens.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

I am an Army brat and the first person in my family to be born in the United States. This heavily influenced my youth by instilling a love of reading and a burning curiosity about the world and all of the things within it. As an adult, my love of travel allowed me to explore many unimaginable locations. I participated in many adventures and documented them in what will be a series of books, the first of which you have just read.
Some might put these books in the Fantasy genre, and I never had issues with this label. After all, the adventures were, without any doubt in my mind, fantastic. I simply quibble with the label of “Fiction” that some might put on these tales. These tales should be viewed as historical records, more along the lines of a documentary.
I’ve learned one thing over the years. Magic is real. Keep exploring, and you too will find your magic.

FOLLOW MICHAEL

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

MY REVIEWS OF HEIRS OF PROPHECY

and TOOLS OF PROPHECY

MY REVIEW:

LORDS OF PROPHECY

Lords of Prophecy is the final book in the Prophecies series, and I have to say it is a very fitting end to a wonderful fantasy series. Fantasy is not my usual cup of tea, but ever since I read Heirs of Prophecy, I knew this is a series I had to finish. I will have to commend Michael Rothman for turning into fan of fantasy novels. I know that in the future I will be more likely to pick up a fantasy series, simply because I loved exploring unique worlds like Trimoria.

In Lord of Prophecy, some time has passed from the ending of the second book, Tools of Prophecy. The events of the prophecy are in the near future, and Ryan and Aaron Riverton must help their family and friends get the citizens of Trimoria ready for the final battle. The barrier is beginning to fade, and if they are not prepared, Trimoria may not survive the onslaught of demons.

Now that Ryan and Aaron are young men, the bit of romance in the second book has blossomed into full romantic relationships, and betrothals. There relationships between Ryan and Arabelle, and Aaron and Sloane are supportive and loving. Not many relationships in young adult or middle grade books depict a healthy and happy normal relationship. That is not the case with Lords of Prophecy, and it is one of the aspects I liked most about the characters.

This series starts out with younger characters but they grow to by young men. This growth in age throughout the series makes it a great Middle Grade or Young Adult read. I would recommend this to fans of fantasy, especially those who prefer Middle Grade or Young Adult.

**Unabridged Bookshelf recieved this book from the author, in exchange for an honest review**

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Cover Reveal: Endure by M.R. Merrick

Available June 5th 

Endure (The Protector, #4) by M.R. Merrick
Cover by Parajunkee Design

YA Urban Fantasy
Final book in The Protector Series

Wrapped in darkness and woven with defeat, every action Chase has taken since being exiled from the Circle has been met with a devastating response. Now heÕs been burdened with a quest that seems impossible, and he needs to evolve into something moreÑsomething greater than he ever thought he could be.
Armed with magic, friendship, and an unbreakable will, Chase must build an army and find a weapon capable of defeating the ultimate evil. But he knows that nothing great comes without sacrifice. Blessed by the very gods who have abandoned him and carrying the fate of all the worlds on his shoulders, Chase Williams is about find out just how much one man can endure.

 Book 1 - Exiled is FREE!

Amazon | B&N | Kobo

About the author:

M.R. Merrick is a Canadian writer, and author of Exiled, the first installment in The Protector Series. Having never traveled, he adventures to far off lands through his imagination and in between cups of coffee. As a music lover and proud breakfast enthusiast, he's usually found at the computer, between a pair of headphones and in front of a large bowl of cereal.

M.R. Merrick | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

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