Book Review: Age of Blood

About the Book

Title: Age of Blood

Author: Shauna Granger

Series: Ash and Ruin #3

Publication Date: May 5, 2015

Genres: Young Adult, Post Apocalyptic, 

Amazon | Barnes and Noble 

Hope is a dangerous thing, but powerful. Hope keeps you going. Hope can keep you alive.
But hope can shatter your world.
Kat and Dylan have found a home, but the monsters are still out there. The pox and plague still ravage the world. They have hope of finding a vaccine, but their encampment isn't equipped to develop it.
Dylan is still too weak from the pox to leave the encampment, so Kat must decide between staying by his side and protecting her last remaining family member as he leaves to find supplies. Separated for the first time since they came together, Kat and Dylan will have to fight their own battles to save what is left of their bloody world.
Kat will have to hold on to hope that she has anything left to save and someone to come home to. If she can survive.

 About the Author

Like so many other writers, Shauna grew up as an avid reader, but it was in high school that she
realized she wanted to be a writer. Five years ago, Shauna started work on her Elemental Series. She released the first installment, Earth, on May 1, 2011 and has since released four sequels, with the series coming to an end with Spirit. She is currently hard at work on a new Urban Fantasy series, staring a spunky witch with a smush-faced cat named Artemis.

   

My Review of Age of Blood

I cannot believe the world of Ash and Ruin is over. I loved the take on post-apocalyptic Shauna Granger, takes in this series. The Pesta spreading disease and death were ever they go. Even within the safety of the compound, Kat and Dylan may not be safe. Kat risks everything to go get supplies and tools that may give the remaining humans a fighting chance against the Pox and Pestas. Everything I loved about this series continued in Age of Blood, and there were defiantly some satisfying conclusions to Kat’s story throughout the novel. 

The Pestas were one of my favorite parts of this entire series, because they are terrifying. I do have to say they take a decreased presence in this novel, but they are still chilling in presence and in the connection they have of the almost decimation of the human species. To make matters worse, Kat and Dylan are separated for much of the story, and it is told from Kat’s point of view. This leaves readers wondering the fate of Dylan until the very end of the book, which adds to its intensity. 

Watching Kat grow and change over this series was a highlight of the story, but in this installment, Kat was on top of her game. She would do anything to protect those that she loves, and that really shines through in Age of Blood. This book in not without it tragedy and loss, but the post-apocalyptic world would not feel realistic without dangers and death. Shauna Granger handles all elements with a finesse and power that had me continually turning page without putting the book down. 

While I am sad to see this trilogy end, I have to say that it is handled perfectly by Shauna Granger. From the beginning to the end, Age of Blood and the Ash and Ruin series is addicting as ever. This series and this novel are a must read for any post-apocalyptic fan or anyone who loves a strong female lead. I know this series will remain a favorite for years to come. 

**Unabridged Bookshelf received this book, in exchange for an honest review**

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Cover Reveal: Time of Ruin

Time of Ruin by Shauna Granger
Ash and Ruin #2

Expected Publication: July 22, 2014
Genres: Young Adult, Post-Apocalyptic

The world has ended, and hope is the most dangerous thing left.

Battered and bruised after barely escaping San Francisco with their lives, Kat, Dylan, and Blue press north – desperate to reach the possibility of a new home.

But strange, monstrous ravens are tracking the remaining survivors, food is becoming scarce, gasoline is running short, and people are becoming suicidal, making survival almost impossible.

And the Pestas are growing bolder. Somehow, their numbers are growing.

The further north they go, the harder it becomes to ignore the signs that they’ve made a fatal mistake. Kat must face the impossible truth that there is no escape, there is no safe haven, and their worst nightmares don’t come close to their new reality.

 About the Author

Like so many other writers, Shauna grew up as an avid reader, but it was in high school that she
realized she wanted to be a writer. Five years ago, Shauna started work on her Elemental Series. She released the first installment, Earth, on May 1, 2011 and has since released four sequels, with the series coming to an end with Spirit. She is currently hard at work on a new Urban Fantasy series, staring a spunky witch with a smush-faced cat named Artemis.

   

My Thoughts: I loved World of Ash, I have been sitting here waiting for more in the Ash and Ruin Trilogy. I want to see more of what happened to Kat and Dylan but from that synopsis it is not going to anything good. I know that even with the dark premise, Time of Ruin is going to be epic story from Shauna Granger.

I want to hear what you think!

Let me know in the comments

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World of Ash Blog Tour: Review and Giveaway

Welcome to the World of Ash Blog Tour! Today I have a review and tour-wide giveaway. There is so much stuff going on with this tour, so make sure to check out the whole schedule by clicking on the banner above. 

About the Book

Title: World of Ash

Author: Shauna Granger

Publication Date: December 2, 2013

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

There are two inherent truths in the world: life as we know it is over, and monsters are real.
The Pestas came in the night, spreading their pox, a deadly plague that decimated the population. Kat, one of the unlucky few who survived, is determined to get to her last living relative and find shelter from the pox that continues to devastate the world. When it mutates and becomes airborne, Kat is desperate to avoid people because staying alone might be her only chance to stay alive.
That is, until she meets Dylan. Dylan, with his easy smile and dark, curly hair, has nowhere to go and no one to live for. He convinces Kat there can be safety in numbers, that they can watch out for each other. So the unlikely couple set off together through the barren wasteland to find a new life – if they can survive the roaming Pestas, bands of wild, gun-toting children, and piles of burning, pox-ridden bodies.

About the Author

Like so many other writers, Shauna grew up as an avid reader, but it was in high school that she realized she
wanted to be a writer. Five years ago, Shauna started work on her Elemental Series. She released the first installment, Earth, on May 1, 2011 and has since released four sequels, with the series coming to an end with Spirit. She is currently hard at work on a new Urban Fantasy series, staring a spunky witch with a smush-faced cat named Artemis.

   

My Review of World of Ash

In World of Ash the world has been lost to a highly contagious plague which wiped out most of the population. While it could have been a normal plague, it was not, the Pestas caused the pox. Dark shrouded figures that spread the deadly mutated form of small pox through touch. Shortly after that, it became airborne, and the government started bombing highly infected cities. With the structure gone, pox everywhere, and people turning on people, it is a very dangerous world to try to survive.

Kat barely escaped Los Angeles before it was wiped out by containment bombs. On her own for six months, her only goal is to survive and to try to make it to Washington. When Dylan stumbled upon her, she goes against every instinct not to trust people and allows him to accompany her on her journey to her Uncle’s house. Dylan having lost everything and everyone is just grateful not to be alone.

Before the pox, all Kat cared about was her appearance, morning latte, and her boyfriend. Now she only cares about food, water, and safe shelter away from other people. This has made her tougher, and a survivor. This change is one of the reasons I like her as a character. Instead of just giving up, she pushes forward and fights to live. The biggest reason I liked her as a character is that when everyone else is giving up their humanity for survival, Kat still cares even if she thinks or act like she does not. Dylan has been sheltered from most of the atrocities and he is a bit naïve about the way the world is now. With his innocence, he is a great balance for Kat.

The World of Ash is a fantastic addition to the post-apocalyptic genre. I enjoyed every moment of the novel, and I am curious to see what Kat and Dylan’s story holds next. I am also dying for more information about the Pestas, and why the pox started in the first place. I am really hoping for another book to add more to the story. I will defiantly be looking out for another installment.

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

2 - Signed paperbacks of World of Ash (US only) 

2 - eBooks of World of Ash (INT)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour Hosted by:

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Cover Reveal: World of Ash

World of Ash

by Shauna Granger

Release Date: 12/2013

There are two inherent truths in the world: life as we know it is over, and monsters are real.
The Pestas came in the night, spreading their pox, a deadly plague that decimated the population. Kat, one of the unlucky few who survived, is determined to get to her last living relative and find shelter from the pox that continues to devastate the world. When it mutates and becomes airborne, Kat is desperate to avoid people because staying alone might be her only chance to stay alive.
That is, until she meets Dylan. Dylan, with his easy smile and dark, curly hair, has nowhere to go and no one to live for. He convinces Kat there can be safety in numbers, that they can watch out for each other. So the unlikely couple set off together through the barren wasteland to find a new life – if they can survive the roaming Pestas, bands of wild, gun-toting children, and piles of burning, pox-ridden bodies.

About the Author

Like so many other writers, Shauna grew up as an avid reader, but it was in high school that she realized she wanted to be a writer. Five years ago, Shauna started work on her Elemental Series. She released the first installment, Earth, on May 1, 2011 and has since released four sequels, with the series coming to an end with Spirit. She is currently hard at work on a new Urban Fantasy series, staring a spunky witch with a smush-faced cat named Artemis.Author Links:

   

My Thoughts: Not only does the book sound awesome, the cover is dark and a bit creepy which  fits with the theme of the novel very well. I love the Dark and Gritty.

Cover Reveal Organized by:

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Cover Reveal: Fire by Shauna Granger

I am excited to be participating in the Cover Reveal for Fire, the fourth book in the Elemental series, by Shauna Granger. This cover reveal is hosted by AToMR Tours. 

Cover is designed by Mooney Designs.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Fire (Elemental, #4)

Author: Shauna Granger

Expected Release: December 18, 2012

Age Group: Young Adult/New Adult

Genre: Urban fantasy

Demons, faeries, and mermaids. Claws, teeth, and nightmares.
They have been beaten and bruised, set on fire, and nearly drowned, but manage to always find their way home.  Over their last Winter Holiday break before college, Shayna, Jodi, and Steven try again to put aside the magic in their lives for a little mundane fun. But Shayna's mother is having dreams of fire and death. A mysterious stranger by the name of Liam has just arrived in town. And Shayna's attempts to manage her new angelic powers are set back by Steven's insistence that the trio intervene in a riot outside of a concert, with disastrous consequences.
In her attempt to stop the riot, a man sees Shayna use her magical abilities – a man driven mad by watching his brother die at the hands of a black witch. He stalks Shayna, plotting to destroy her and her friends. With her mother’s warnings echoing in her mind, Shayna is now in the fight of her life against an unlikely foe: a human man.

I love how the cover really captures the element of Fire, and how it is tented with orange to match the fire. Each of the Elemental book really capture the element their titles represent, and Fire is no exception. The cover is beautifully done. 

What do you think?

Let me know in the comments.

Cover Reveal: Water(Elemental #3) by Shauna Granger

Water is the third book in the Elemetal Series by Shauna Granger. 

The cover design was done by Stephanie Mooney

EXPECTED PUBLICATION: June 19, 2012

Shayna's first surfing session of the summer is interrupted by the screams of a mother who has lost her little boy in the water. Without regard to her own safety, Shayna swims out, rescues the boy, but must escape the clutches of something far worse than she could have ever imagined – mermaids.
Compelled to answer the sirens' call, the boys of Shayna's town are drawn to the sea, but when they return are afflicted by an unknown illness, a sickness which is draining them of their life force. Unable to tell anyone about the mermaids, Shayna and her friends are forced to solve the mystery before it's too late, and in doing so, Shayna will finally have to face the full force of her powers. Whether she’s ready or not, she will have to face her true nature.

THE OTHER BOOKS IS THE SERIES

  

FOLLOW THE AUTHOR

Shauna Granger's Blog

Facebook: Shauna Granger

Twitter: @dyingechoes

I love the cover for Water, and I also think the covers for Earth and Air are gorgeous too!

What do you think of the cover?

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