Monday, November 27, 2017

NERD BLAST: Children of Refuge by Margaret Peterson Haddix


We are thrilled to kick off this 5-day Nerd Blast for Margaret Peterson Haddix's Children of Refuge, the second title in the Children of Exile series! Take a look at what others are saying about this book! Plus, there's a blast-wide giveaway, too! Check it out and grab your copy now!

Genre:
Young Adult
Science Fiction/Dystopian
Series:
Children of Exile, #2
Publish Date:
September 12, 2017
Publisher:
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Synopsis:
After Edwy is smuggled off to Refuge City to stay with his brother and sister, Rosi, Bobo, and Cana are stuck alone—and in danger—in Cursed Town in the thrilling follow-up to Children of Exile from New York Times bestselling author, Margaret Peterson Haddix.

It’s been barely a day since Edwy left Fredtown to be with his parents and, already, he is being sent away. He’s smuggled off to boarding school in Refuge City, where he will be with his brother and sister, who don’t even like him very much. The boarding school is nothing like the school that he knew, there’s no one around looking up to him now, and he’s still not allowed to ask questions!

Alone and confused, Edwy seeks out other children brought back from Fredtown and soon discovers that Rosi and the others—still stuck in the Cursed Town—might be in danger. Can Edwy find his way back to his friends before it’s too late?


       

~~~~~

Praise for Children of Refuge

This is a topical thriller that brings heart and thought to the sci-fi genre. ―Kirkus Reviews

The plot twists are multiple, exciting, and completely logical… An excellent dystopian adventure for tweens. ―Booklist

~~~

Sequel to:
(cover links to Goodreads)

       

~~~~~

**About the Author**
Photo Content from Margaret Peterson Haddix
Margaret Peterson Haddix grew up on a farm near Washington Court House, Ohio. She graduated from Miami University (of Ohio) with degrees in English/journalism, English/creative writing and history. Before her first book was published, she worked as a newspaper copy editor in Fort Wayne, Indiana; a newspaper reporter in Indianapolis; and a community college instructor and freelance writer in Danville, Illinois.

She has since written more than 40 books for kids and teens, including Running Out of Time; Double Identity; Uprising; The Always War; the Shadow Children series; the Missing series; the Children of Exile series; the Under Their Skin duology; and The Palace Chronicles. She also wrote Into the Gauntlet, the tenth book in the 39 Clues series. Her books have been honored with New York Times bestseller status, the International Reading Association’s Children’s Book Award; American Library Association Best Book and Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers notations; and numerous state reader’s choice awards. They have also been translated into more than twenty different languages.

Haddix and her husband, Doug, now live in Columbus, Ohio. They are the parents of two grown kids.

Stay connected with Margaret Peterson Haddix
    

~~~~~

***The Giveaway***


Giveaway Open Internationally | Must be 13+ to Enter

Note: Not responsible for Lost or Damaged Prizes in Your Mailbox
Nerd Blast Organized by

Friday, November 24, 2017

BLOG TOUR: The Chosen Knights by Mary Ting


Welcome to the Official Blog Tour for Mary Ting's The Chosen Knights, the fist title in the Secret Knights (formerly the Angel Knights) series! This is a spin-off series from the bestselling Crossroads Saga! On our tour stop today, take a look at what I thought about this first book in the Secret Knights series! Plus, there's a cool tour-wide giveaway, too! Check it out and grab your copy today!

Genre:
Young Adult
Urban Fantasy
Paranormal/Fantasy Romance
Series:
Secret Knights, #1
*formerly The Angel Knights*
(spin-off from the Crossroads Saga)
Publish Date:
March 19, 2016

Cover Design by:
Naija Qamber Designs

Synopsis:
(HIGHLY recommend to read prequel first–The Angel Knights)

When teens go missing in Hawaii, a group of demon-hunters—half human and half angel—disguised as high school students, must leave Crossroads, the place where they reside. In a race against time, they uncover the mystery connecting the missing teens, which dates back to the era of the Knights Templar. However, when they discover one of the Templars passed down a book containing all the secrets and codes to finding a particular treasure, they soon realize this forbidden treasure needs to be found before Cyrus, the lord of the possessor demons, acquires it—a treasure which been safeguarded and hidden from him.

There is only one problem: the pages containing the clues leading to the treasure is missing. When the first page is found, Cyrus threatens to kill more descendants of the Knights Templar if it is not given to him by Friday the thirteenth. In the midst of threats and discovery, the demon-hunting angels find they are not alone when supernatural beings begin to reveal themselves. Can they put their differences aside and work together to solve the Knights Templars’ cipher? As they astral travel to the past, they witness a lot more than they have bargained for. And some things are better left unseen.


     
  
*FREE on Kindle Unlimited*


~~~

Don't miss the all titles in the Secret Knights series!
   
(covers link to Goodreads)

        
*FREE on Kindle Unlimited*


~~~~~

**About the Author**
International bestselling author Mary Ting resides in Southern California with her husband and two children. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry. Writing her first novel, Crossroads Saga, happened by chance. It was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother, and inspired by a dream she once had as a young girl.

When she started reading new adult novels, she fell in love with the genre. It was the reason she had to write one-Something Great. Hence, Mary's pen name, M. Clarke? She tours with the Magic Johnson Foundation to promote literacy and her children’s chapter book-No Bullies Allowed.

Stay connected with Mary Ting
      

~~~~~

*My Thoughts*

Note: This review contains NO spoilers

The action and adventure continues with a touch of teenage angst continues in The Chosen Knights. Yes! I would recommend reading the prequel, The Angel Knights, to get more background on these characters. But then again, that's just me. I like having more background into the characters' personalities and such. It  gives me more of an understanding of these characters and the decisions they make, be it impulsive and/or cautious.

Anyways, I am absolutely a fan of urban fantasy, paranormal, supernatural genres. And... Mary does not disappoint with this spin-off series. The prequel itself gave me a brief idea of where these characters are coming from as The Chosen Knights opens. I somewhat got an idea of why they are in Hawaii. So, as the story progresses and develops, these characters grow as well. There's also history revealed throughout giving readers a bit more of an understanding of the various characters. I even got the sense that that "line" between good and evil are somewhat blurred with the various supernaturals that these angels encounter during their time on Earth, specifically Hawaii.

I don't know... This review would probably get spoiler-y if I continues, so I will leave this as is. This is a fun read for young adults, especially for fans of urban fantasy, paranormal, supernatural genres. I found this story of angels, demons, and other supernaturals fascinating as their paths crossed and their individual personalities develop. Mary's descriptive and expressive writing took me away to Hawaii and the action/adventure(s) her characters encountered. And, her character development was not lacking. I found her characters to have unique and relatable personalities.

All in all, The Chosen Knights is an entertaining and delightful read for fans of Cassandra Clare. Action/adventure and a touch of emotion-filled drama with angels, demons, fallen, and supernaturals galore! Can;t forget all the teenage angst that goes along with high school...haha!

My rating:

~~~~~

***The Giveaway***

*$20 Amazin gift card (INTL)
*Signed copy of The Chosen Knights (US only)
Blog Tour Organized by