Hello again, giveaway hoppers! Thank you to the lovely ladies, Mary at Book Hounds and Kathy at I Am A Reader, Not A Writer, for hosting this hop. I mean, what could be more fun that featuring newly published authors and their books that we loved?
What You Can Win
Earlier this week (because I'm a procrastinator), I asked the other ladies of Bibliophilia, Please which books were their favorite debut reads of 2014. Amber is my reading twin the majority of the time, so her picks were the same as mine. Janelle's choice was one that I enjoyed as well. And here they are:
Amber's Picks
Red Rising (Red Rising Trilogy #1) by Pierce Brown
January 28, 2014
Pierce Brown’s relentlessly entertaining debut channels the excitement of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card.
“I live for the dream that my children will be born free,” she says. “That they will be what they like. That they will own the land their father gave them.”
“I live for you,” I say sadly.
Eo kisses my cheek. “Then you must live for more.”
Darrow is a Red, a member of the lowest caste in the color-coded society of the future. Like his fellow Reds, he works all day, believing that he and his people are making the surface of Mars livable for future generations. Yet he spends his life willingly, knowing that his blood and sweat will one day result in a better world for his children.
But Darrow and his kind have been betrayed. Soon he discovers that humanity reached the surface generations ago. Vast cities and lush wilds spread across the planet. Darrow—and Reds like him—are nothing more than slaves to a decadent ruling class.
Inspired by a longing for justice, and driven by the memory of lost love, Darrow sacrifices everything to infiltrate the legendary Institute, a proving ground for the dominant Gold caste, where the next generation of humanity’s overlords struggle for power. He will be forced to compete for his life and the very future of civilization against the best and most brutal of Society’s ruling class. There, he will stop at nothing to bring down his enemies . . . even if it means he has to become one of them to do so.
My Review
Snow Like Ashes (Snow Like Ashes #1) by Sara Raasch
October 14, 2014
Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now the Winterians' only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter's magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since.
Orphaned as an infant during Winter's defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee, raised by the Winterians' general, Sir. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend and future king, Mather—she would do anything to help Winter rise to power again.
So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore their magic, Meira decides to go after it herself. Finally, she's scaling towers and fighting enemy soldiers just as she's always dreamed she would. But the mission doesn't go as planned, and Meira soon finds herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics—and ultimately comes to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own.
My Review
The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen
July 8, 2014
Magic, adventure, mystery, and romance combine in this epic debut in which a young princess must reclaim her dead mother’s throne, learn to be a ruler—and defeat the Red Queen, a powerful and malevolent sorceress determined to destroy her.
On her nineteenth birthday, Princess Kelsea Raleigh Glynn, raised in exile, sets out on a perilous journey back to the castle of her birth to ascend her rightful throne. Plain and serious, a girl who loves books and learning, Kelsea bears little resemblance to her mother, the vain and frivolous Queen Elyssa. But though she may be inexperienced and sheltered, Kelsea is not defenseless: Around her neck hangs the Tearling sapphire, a jewel of immense magical power; and accompanying her is the Queen’s Guard, a cadre of brave knights led by the enigmatic and dedicated Lazarus. Kelsea will need them all to survive a cabal of enemies who will use every weapon—from crimson-caped assassins to the darkest blood magic—to prevent her from wearing the crown.
Despite her royal blood, Kelsea feels like nothing so much as an insecure girl, a child called upon to lead a people and a kingdom about which she knows almost nothing. But what she discovers in the capital will change everything, confronting her with horrors she never imagined. An act of singular daring will throw Kelsea’s kingdom into tumult, unleashing the vengeance of the tyrannical ruler of neighboring Mortmesne: the Red Queen, a sorceress possessed of the darkest magic. Now Kelsea will begin to discover whom among the servants, aristocracy, and her own guard she can trust.
But the quest to save her kingdom and meet her destiny has only just begun—a wondrous journey of self-discovery and a trial by fire that will make her a legend...if she can survive.
My Review | Amber's Review
Janelle's Pick
Title: The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu
July 1, 2014
Everyone knows Alice slept with two guys at one party. When Healy High star quarterback, Brandon Fitzsimmons, dies in a car crash, it was because he was sexting with Alice. Ask anybody.
Rumor has it Alice Franklin is a slut. It's written all over the "slut stall" in the girls' bathroom: "Alice had sex in exchange for math test answers" and "Alice got an abortion last semester." After Brandon dies, the rumors start to spiral out of control. In this remarkable debut novel, four Healy High students tell all they "know" about Alice--and in doing so reveal their own secrets and motivations, painting a raw look at the realities of teen life. But in this novel from Jennifer Mathieu, exactly what is the truth about Alice? In the end there's only one person to ask: Alice herself.
My Review
Giveaway
So, let's go through this - you're entering to win YOUR CHOICE of one (1) of the novels that Amber and Janelle chose as their favorites for this year. All you have to do is be you and fill out the Rafflecopter form. You may want to check out the Terms & Conditions on the widget if you like rules and other such silliness.
Ends at 12:01am EST on December 12th
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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My favorite debut was SNOW LIKE ASHES, and I'd love to win QUEEN OF THE TEARLING.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
DeleteI loved loved loved Stolen Songbird! I'm interested in winning either Snow Like Ashes or Queen of the Tearling. Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe we forgot about Stolen Songbird! Amber and I both gave it 4.5 or 5 stars!
DeleteThere were so many amazing debuts this year! I don't know if I could pick! Instead I'll say i'm most curious about Snow like Ashes. It's gotten tons of buzz and I love a good fantasy! Thank you for the opportunity!
ReplyDeleteRed Rising looks the most interesting to me, but I haven't read it yet!
ReplyDeleteI would like to read Red Rising by Pierce Brown. Thank you
ReplyDeleteThe Truth About Alice. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI loved Ender's Game I think Red Rising by Pierce Brown would satisfy me!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite debut was Storm Siren by Mary Weber and I would love to win Red Rising by Pierce Brown! Thanks for the giveaway
ReplyDeletemine was Snow like Ashes!!
ReplyDeleteI love the sound of Snow Like Ashes or Red Rising
ReplyDeleteI love Snow Like Ashes but I'm really curious about Red Rising after it won the Goodreads Debut authors award... My favorite debut of this year would have to be Cruel Beauty though!
ReplyDeleteI do not think I have read any debuts this year. :( I am however very interested in Red Rising and The Queen of Tearling!
ReplyDeleteMary G Loki
I didn't read too many debut novels so it was easy to choose. I loved Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige. I loved the twist on the original story and I really can't get enough. :) I'm most interested in winning Red Rising by Pierce Brown. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI loved Cruel Beauty (that's what I'd pick) but also liked The Fire Wish! Thanks :))
ReplyDeleteLOVED Open Road Summer by Emery Lord! Cruel Beauty was so unique as well.
ReplyDeleteI'd pick Snow Like Ashes :) Just in case rafflecopter shows my location outside US, I'm doing a semester abroad and would use my US address.
thank you so very much :)
You're awesome! :)
the queen of the tearling or Snow like Ashes!
ReplyDeleteI think I would pick Snow Like Ashes :)
ReplyDeleteI really loved Cruel Beauty. I listened to it on audio and it was fantastic. I just got myself a physical copy, hehe. The cover is just so pretty! I'd love to win The Queen of the Tearling or Red Rising. I've heard awesome things about both. Thanks so much for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any debut novels. I'm interested in winning The Queen of the Tearling.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite debut novel was Snow Like Ashes. I would love to win a copy of The Queen of the Tearling. Thanks for the great giveaway!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite debut was Daughter of Chaos by Jen McConnel. I'd like to win Queen of the Tearling.
ReplyDeleteI think my favorite was The Winner's Curse. I think I would want Snow Like Ashes! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI would choose Snow Like Ashes or Red Rising and thanks for the giveaway!! :)
ReplyDeleteI didn't actually read any debuts this year. I spent my time working my way through the baskets of books I purchased in prior years. But, I'm really intrigued by Snow Like Ashes, so I'm crossing my fingers for that one.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite debut novel in 2014 is Alienated by Melissa Landers! So looking forward to book 2! I would love to win Snow Like Ashes!!
ReplyDeletedidn't have one
ReplyDeletenot sure what to pick
ReplyDeleteThe only one I've read on your list is Red Rising, butI think I'd pick Snow Like Ashes. My favorite debut was Griever's Mark. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite debut novels was Red Rising. I'd really like to win Snow Like Ashes.
ReplyDeleteLoved Stolen Songbird!!!
ReplyDeleteUm, I think I pasted the wrote link for the Share this Post on Facebook option. It's https://www.facebook.com/cricketpurists.nz/posts/830215000362473?pnref=story
RC name is Ashfa Anwer
So sorry for the mess :(
My favorite debut novel of 2014 was Heir of Fire by Sarah Maas! I am most interested in winning The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen! Thank you for this amazing chance! :)
ReplyDeleteI am most interested in winning Red Rising. My favorite debut this year was My Life With the Walter Boys.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Amber that Red Rising is the one of the best debut novels of 2014! I would really love to read Snow Like Ashes though, so that is probably what I would pick!
ReplyDeleteI loved Full Measures. I'd like to read Snow Like Ashes, it sounds fascinating. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteAnn S
I didn't read any debut novels in 2014.
ReplyDeleteThanks :)
Stolen Songbird :) I'm really looking forward to reading all these books ;) Thanks for the awesome chance!
ReplyDeleteI didn't read that many new books in 2014, but I think my favorite was The Girl With All the Gifts. I'm currently reading Red Rising, but I'm only in the beginning... The Truth About Alice sounds very interesting, but I think if I had to choose from the books you listed, I would pick Queen of the Tearling, because I'm more of a sf/f gal. Thanks for the giveaway! :)
ReplyDeleteI had two favorite debuts: Salvage by Alexandra Duncan and Forbidden by Kimberley G. Little. Loved them both!
ReplyDeleteI'm most excited about The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen .
ReplyDeleteI would pick pick Snow like Ashes.
ReplyDelete