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Monday, January 31, 2011

Wereling, Book 2: Dark Moon by Steve Feasey, Review + Giveaway!

Happy Monday everyone!


Okay, so no one REALLY thinks it's all that happy.  I mean the weekend is over and work or school is pretty much the norm for most this week but cheer up!  There's plenty of good reading ahead to keep you well entertained during your free time.  In fact, several of the "plenty" are releasing tomorrow (seriously, check the right hand side bar....there's multitude of books coming out) but one of those releases is being featured here TODAY.  Excited now?  *fist pump*

The book featured today is the second in a trilogy of YA paranormal books featuring one werewolf (among other creatures) by the name of Trey Laporte.  Despite my love of keeping you in suspense as long as possible, I'll sidestep that tactic in order to share the sheer bookish magic found within this one.  Ready?  Today's book of choice is...

Wereling, Book 2:
by

**Okay so if you haven't read the first one, this one is bound to have a spoiler or two...just be warned.**


Trey Laporte has spent most of his life hoping to have the one thing that many of us take for granted....a family. Now that he has one, no matter how unorthodox it may be, he plans on keeping it. Unfortunately, there are outside forces that have other ideas...much darker and fouler than the blackest night. Lucien Charron, his new mentor and guardian of sorts, is in grave danger. He may not be a member of the living breathing human race, but his undead status is rapidly changing to just plain dead thanks to the evil mastermind Caliban, his brother. Sibling rivalry be darned, he's out to end Lucien's life and turn the world into his playground (we're talking doom and gloom, not a theme park)...that is unless Trey can stop him. A big task for one person, even one werewolf type person...good thing he has a few friends on his side, namely Alexa (Lucien's daughter), Tom (Lucien's strong man), and Charles (a mage of extraordinary power). Will it be enough to stop the coming darkness or has the light of day finally met its match?

With depth, intrigue, and characters you love to hate and those you love to love (okay, you know what I mean...)....it's the formula for a successful page turner every time and one that author Steve Feasey seems to have a great grasp on. I love how the story was built in such a way that you WANT to follow it around each twist and turn, over each obstacle and through each triumph. The author's ability to lead you in one direction totally anticipating the next move only to have the story shift ever so slightly so that the possibilities you saw never come to pass and yet you are not disappointed by the change...fantastic.

We see Lucien disabled to the brink of death, yet still a source of strength for those that surround him. Trey has now accepted his heritage and utilizes his strengths (along with a few newly acquired ones) to help achieve the groups goal. Alexa faces a past better forgotten and a potential reunion that could change everything for better or worse. Tom...well, he's Tom and he is nothing is not cavalier in his attempts to keep everyone safe while toting along his weapon of choice of the moment. All your favorites are back and then some....but the then some consists of some unlikely heroes as well as new foes that are bit too much to describe right here. ~shudders~

Now don't be fooled....it's not all sunshine and rainbows, though I don't think the title, cover, or summary lead you to believe it is. There are battle scenes, a bit of descriptive gore (not too much, but enough), and darker magical creatures (think netherworld demons, not unicorns) in this chapter of Trey's story...I mean come on, he is a werewolf with a vampire mentor for crying out loud. It just lends the story an appeal to both female and males readers.

The only thing I can say I wasn't a fan of...the cover. Call me what you like (okay, not really...I have feelings too!), but a cover can capture my attention for good or for not. To be honest, had I not read the first one and been dying to see what happened next....I might have by passed it on the shelf, same goes for the first one. (A big mistake...let me tell you!) My ARC of the first one had this plain yet intriguing cover...black with silver white writing for the title, a classic moon with a cloud drifting by image and some haunting words from the story. Now THAT was a cover...or at least one that in my opinion may appeal to a broader audience. The actual final copy covers seem to cater more perhaps to the male reader (fellas, feel free to weigh in here)....but girls, don't dismay! The story is a great one and certainly not lacking in strong female leads.

Overall, a fantastic read from start to finish. The chapters are short and sweet catering to any avid readers need to finish "just one more" before calling it a night. You'll laugh (definitely). You'll cry (maybe...a little at least). You'll gasp in awe and fear of just what's been unleashed or where things are going next (for certain). If you haven't read the first book, I'd highly recommend it so you have the background regarding all the events taking place and the future taking shape. One final note...there's a little "Which Nether-Creature Are You?" quiz at books end...according to my score I'm borderline between the Werewolf and Vampire...go figure. ^_^

Recommended for fans of the YA genre with a paranormal persuasion....but with story enough to carry the demons, creatures, and magic along. ARC for review courtesy of Ksenia at Feiwel and Friends. (THANKS!) This book is scheduled to be released (as of this post) on 02/01/11. For more information on this title as well as the publisher's full catalog, feel free to visit their websites (1 and 2), check out the blog, or follow along on Twitter. Want to know more about the authors comings and goings? Check him out online both at his website and on Twitter.




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Now...for the other half of what you've been waiting for...the GIVEAWAY!  Thanks to the Ksenia over at Feiwel and Friends I have the pleasure of giving you a chance to win not only one book, but two.  That's right!  You have the chance to win a copy of both Wereling AND a galley of Wereling, Book 2:  Dark Moon!  Entries will be accepted starting RIGHT NOW and run through midnight CST Friday, February 18th, 2011...just in time for the full moon (hehe).
Here's all the details...


The prizes...

 
One winner will receive....
(1) finished copy of Wereling
AND
(1) galley copy of Wereling, Book 2:  Dark Moon
by Steve Feasey


 

How to enter...
Fill out THIS FORM.




 
Looking for bonus entries?
No worries!  There's several options listed on the form but here is one to get you started.  It's sort of a play off the quiz at books end, but without the benefit of a scoring system.  If you could be a paranormal creature, which one would you be and why?  We're talking werewolves, vampires, faeries, ghosts, etc...take your pick, share your thoughts in the comments below and score an extra entry (but remember you still have to fill out the form)!



The rules...
*Open to US/Canada mailing addresses only!  No P. O. Boxes please.
* Entries will be accepted from Monday, January 29th, 2011 through Friday, February 18th, 2011 at midnight CST.  The entries will be tallied and entered into the random.org randomizer, after which a random number will be picked by their number generator.  (This way all the entries are mixed up nicely.)
* All entries must be submitted using the form accessible through this post.  You MUST include your email address in order to be counted as well as contacted should you be chosen as the winner!
*The winner will be announced and contacted via email by Monday, February 21st, 2011 and will have 48 hours to respond with their mailing address.  Should they fail to respond in the given time frame, a new winner will be chosen.  If you choose to include your full name and mailing address in your contest entry, no worries....the time frame issue is erased.
*Winner's name and address will be forwarded to Ksenia at Feiwel and Friends for prize send out only and then discarded.


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There you have it.
So what are you waiting for?
Go, go, GO!


Until next time...good luck everyone...and happy reading!



31 comments:

Anonymous said...

I would be a vampire because I'd love to live forever and never grow old(er) :) *Thanks* for the giveaway!
theluckyladybug[at]gmail[dot]com

Beverly said...

I would be a shifter because I would love the chance to be either human (mostly) or wolf! The benefits would be amazing - and seriously have you ever read a shifter book that didn't make you want to meet one of those amazing men? Thanks for hosting - bevsharp@desch.org

Gina said...

Wow...way to go ladies! Getting those entries in nice and early I see, beating the rush and all. ^_^

Cheryl F: Nice choice!

Beverly: Good point! *dayreams*

Tales of Whimsy said...

Great review.
This sounds good.
And I must agree, I'm a total slave to covers ;)

Shy said...

Oh man! I wish I could enter. I haven't get the chance to read this series yet, but you totally sold me when you reviewed the first instalment. I'm pretty sure that this is series is to die for (And perhaps one that will make me fall in love with anything were the same way The Iron King makes me fell in love with fae!)

Unknown said...

A werewolf! I feel it in my bones...I want to run free! :)

penelopelolohea {at} gmail {dot} com

Jessy said...

I think I would like to be a fairy. They seem to have all the fun and live a really long time. Who wouldn't want to dance and sing all the time?

YzhaBella's BookShelf said...

I'd love top be a werecat. All sleek and graceful and rawrh! Dangerous!

Unknown said...

I'd be a pooka, the half-human shapeshifters popular to the Wales area :]

Unknown said...

I would be a vampire or mermaid. Hmmmm... fairy!?

BLHmistress said...

I would like to be either vampire or a demi goddess?

Vivien said...

Vampire. FTW! I like everything about the thought of being one lol even the masochistic parts.

Victoria said...

A Valkyrie. Those women are tough!

Kristen My Bookish Fairy Tale said...

Vampire I would totally be a vampire! They are my favorite paranormal creature! Great giveaway!!

April said...

These look awesome! Excellent review! I would have to say it's a toss up between vampire and shape shifter. I am not keen on blood, so the vampire thing may not work out overly well, lol.

Gina said...

Juju: You too? *high five*

Shy: Yay! *fist pump* So glad. It really is a great series...can't wait for the next one to release.

Penelope: OOh...I feel a howl coming. ^_^

Jessy: Ah yes so more of a Peaseblossom as opposed to Dark Court?

YzhaBella's Bookshelf: Rawrh yourself! (LOL)

Nora: Pooka...huh, interesting...first time I've heard of that one. *pulls up Google*

Robin K: Aw, so yours is...undecided. ^_^

BLHmistress: OOh...someone has allusions of grandeur.... (LOL)

Vivien: *grabs garlic*

Victoria: too right!

Kristen: Another vamp! Sounds like a clan forming here...lol. (and you're welcome on the giveaway! Gotta share the bookish fun.)

April: Thank, April! ^_^ Yeah, me thinks the shape shifter might have to be your option so the blood thing wasn't an issue.

SandyG265 said...

I'd be the type of shapeshifter that can change into any animal because I think it'd be fun.

Anonymous said...

I love this book series! I'm from the UK (where it's called Changeling), and I think it's my favourite series of books! :)

Gina said...

SandyG265: Nice choice!

Anonymous: Wow...so you've had the chance to read the rest of the series then. Fantastic! Can't wait til it reaches this side of the pond.... ^_^

Juana said...

I would love to be a vampire because I've always like how dark and mysterious they are portrayed in movies and books. To top it off they can also read/control other beings.

Thanks for the fab giveaway and prizes.

jmesparza821@gmail.com

Bookworm Lisa said...

Ever since I was a little girl I have dreamed of being a fairy. They are sparkly and beautiful and can get away with lots of things just because of what they are.

ke7yca at gmail dot com

The1stdaughter said...

Okay, first off I just have to say I was giddy when you received this second book because I remembered how much you enjoyed the first. So cool! And then...you love this one too???!!! That's beyond fantastic! Yay! I'm hoping to read the series so I'm just skimming the review, but it looks amazing. :o)

As for creature...definitely a vampire. It's just the thing I've always loved since reading Anne Rice's books back when I was a teen. Love em!

Gina said...

Juana: Hmm...so I take it you like the mysterious lore and the controlling ability...interesting...

Lisa: Oh! A fairy! Now I haven't heard that one yet....not at least the bright and cheerful kind. ^_^

Steve Feasey said...

Thought I'd drop by to say hello, and add my thoughts re supernatural creatures. Vamps are cool, but being dead HAS to be a major drawback. Give me shapeshifting any day of the week. I have a rather different version of the Fae in book four of the series (sorry US, you'll have to wait a little while for that...)

Thanks for the great reviews.

Best wishes,

Steve Feasey

Reading said...

I think I would like to be a fairy. The magic is just so cool.

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

ParaJunkee said...

I want to be able to turn into a BIG cat. So shifter it is. Wouldn't that be cool??? Grrr.

Gina said...

Steve Feasey: Thanks for dropping by! It's always smile inducing when an author takes the time to visit my little site. ^_^ As for your thoughts on the paranormal creatures....agreed on the dead drawback for vampires, but a shapeshifter just might have potential; interesting choice. Can't wait to see what you have in store for us as the series continues. Happy reading...and writing!

Bethie: Ooh, another fairy! But you'd use the magic for good, right? O_o

Parajunkee: O_O I iz scared. (LOL...nice choice.)

Lori said...

I would be a vampire with the ability to shapeshift into a wolf or feline of some sort.

Thanks for the opportunity to win.
ladyrogue(at)ymail(dot)com

Gina said...

Lori: Ooh, now that sounds like a dangerous creature. O_O *scared now*

Unknown said...

I would be a tiger shifter.
marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com

Julie S said...

I think it would be cool to be a shifter, as long as it wasn't painful to shift.

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