Cover Reveal & Giveaway: Salt & Stone by Victoria Scott

On November 6, 2014November 7, 2014 By AdelenaIn Cover Reveals, Giveaways1 Comment

Salt & Stone
by Victoria Scott
Series: Fire & Flood #2
Publication Date: 24 February 2015
Publisher: Scholastic Press

Goodreads | The Book Depository | Amazon

What would you do to save someone you love?

In Fire & Flood, Tella Holloway faced a dangerous trek through the jungle and across the desert, all to remain a Contender in the Brimstone Bleed for a chance at obtaining the Cure for her brother. She can’t quit–she has to win the race, save Cody, and then fight to make sure the race stops before it can claim any more lives. In the next legs of the race, across the ocean and over mountains, Tella will face frostbite, sharks, avalanche, and twisted new rules in the race.

But what if the danger is deeper than that? How do you know who to trust when everyone’s keeping secrets? What do you do when the person you’d relied on most suddenly isn’t there for support? How do you weigh one life against another?

The race is coming to an end, and Tella is running out of time, resources, and strength. At the start of the race there were one hundred twenty-two Contenders. As Tella and her remaining friends start the final part of the race, just forty-one are left–and only one can win.

After reading Fire & Flood, I’m so stoked for this sequel! I can’t get enough of the action, suspense, and pandoras. Oh, and how can I forget Guy! I think this new cover’s pretty, though I do prefer the old one, I’m just not the sort who like faces on covers. Anyway, for the Fire & Flood fans, here’s some good news: you’ll be able to win an ARC (Advance Reader’s Copy) of Salt & Stone in the giveaway below hosted by the author. I wish you all the best (and sorry for fellow people living outside the US—like me—this is US-only). Continue reading “Cover Reveal & Giveaway: Salt & Stone by Victoria Scott” →

Review: Fire & Flood by Victoria Scott

On June 9, 2014June 7, 2014 By AdelenaIn ReviewsLeave a comment

Fire & Flood
by Victoria Scott
Series: Fire & Flood #1
Publication Date: 25 February 2014
Scholastic Press, Hardcover, 305 pages
Source: Library

Goodreads | The Book Depository | Amazon

Time is slipping away….

Tella Holloway is losing it. Her brother is sick, and when a dozen doctors can’t determine what’s wrong, her parents decide to move to Montana for the fresh air. She’s lost her friends, her parents are driving her crazy, her brother is dying—and she’s helpless to change anything.

Until she receives mysterious instructions on how to become a Contender in the Brimstone Bleed. It’s an epic race across jungle, desert, ocean, and mountain that could win her the prize she desperately desires: the Cure for her brother’s illness. But all the Contenders are after the Cure for people they love, and there’s no guarantee that Tella (or any of them) will survive the race.

The jungle is terrifying, the clock is ticking, and Tella knows she can’t trust the allies she makes. And one big question emerges: Why have so many fallen sick in the first place?

Victoria Scott’s breathtaking novel grabs readers by the throat and doesn’t let go.

Rating: ★★★★

I completely underestimated this novel. Prior to this one, I’ve read Victoria Scott’s first novel, The Collector, and despite giving both her books 4 stars, they are amazing in vastly different ways. Which was why I started off expecting Fire & Flood to be similarly humorous to The Collector and because I’ve yet to encounter a humorous action-adventure book that turned out very good, I had my doubts.

However, Fire & Flood was definitely one of the most intense books I’ve read this year and though there still was humour scattered throughout it, the suspense and tension of the Brimstone Bleed was most prominent. The fast pace and vivid gore involved had been a complete (but oddly pleasant) surprise, since neither was something I had expected.

On the downside, Tella, the protagonist was a little bit of a disappointment. Often coming off as shallow and materialistic, I’m far from her biggest fan. Yet, I utterly admire her whenever she gets serious and her strong spirit starts to show, especially when she’s defending those she cares for. I guess in the end, Tella’s slight ‘bimboticness’ can be seen as making her a more different and vibrant character, although I don’t expect many readers to like that side of her. Just try to remember her better qualities such as selflessness, courage and perseverance.

In the romance department, it was – expectedly – swoon-worthy. Guy and Tella. They might have started off your typical dislike-turns-into-attraction couple but I loved how Victoria Scott developed their relationship through simple ways, like nightly fireside chats. Guy’s the confident, quiet (and sometimes a little scary) sort, similar to Four from Divergent by Veronica Roth. He complemented Tella’s extroverted personality perfectly and though I did think their relationship had been a teensy bit rushed after the first leg of the Brimstone Bleed, they were still pretty amazing, as fictional YA couples go.

Fire & Flood also had a spectacular plot. The fear, determination and desperation of the contenders were nearly tangible; it had felt like I was competing in the Brimstone Bleed and facing all the dangers right alongside them! Moreover, the organisation in charge of the race had been quite nicely kept in the dark. The story will hint at the cause of the Brimstone Bleed just enough to get you reading non-stop – neither too quick and obvious nor annoyingly elusive.

To wrap this up, Fire & Flood was a nail-bitingly adventurous novel that will keep readers on the edge of their seat. Even though the main character does get slightly annoying at times, the book, overall, was probably one of the most interesting and engaging ones I read this year. I definitely can’t wait for more news on the sequel, Salt & Stone, soon!

Adelena

Top Ten Books on Adelena’s Winter TBR

On December 10, 2013November 26, 2013 By AdelenaIn Top Ten Tuesday10 Comments

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish where we feature top ten books or book related stuff according to each week’s topic.

This week’s topic, the top 10 books on my winter TBR. Although where I live (Singapore), we do not experience winter, it’s still one of my favorite times of the year. It is Christmas, New Year’s, my birthday and the Lunar New Year all in a row! To make things even better, there are a whole lot of new releases I’m looking forward to this winter.

This list is made up of my top ten most anticipated books released anytime between December 2013 and February 2014 (according to Wikipedia, winter generally spans from December to February, unless you’re in the Southern Hemisphere or tropics).

Top 10 Books on Adelena’s Winter TBR:

1. Infinite by Jodi Meadows

I love the Newsoul trilogy so much and can’t believe it’s reaching the end. TEARS AND FEELS, I AM READY FOR IT.

2. Cress by Marissa Meyer

Rapunzel is one of my fave fairytales ever and I’m already in love the Lunar Chronicles. Obviously, I cannot wait for this one!

3. Three by Kristen Simmons

The fact that Three is no. 3 was a complete coincidence. I ship Chase and Ember so much and really look forward to finding out how this smashing trilogy ends!

4. Erased by Jennifer Rush

This author writes amazing action scenes and her pacing is meticulous. It does help that the book models are always so yummy too. ;)

5. Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

I’ve said before I’m a sucker for retellings (this one is of Beauty and the Beast) plus the cover is a work of art!

6. Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi

I know this is ultimately Aria and Perry’s story but I refuse to give up hope on Roar and Lily!

7. These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

I know this book was also on my top 10 Fall TBR but that’s either because I saw the publication date wrong or it was changed sometime between now and then. Anyway, it’s released TODAY and I can’t wait for my copy to arrive!