OUR DARK STARS

Good morning fellow book lovers and welcome to my Blog Tour Stop for Our Dark Stars by Audrey Grey and Krystal Wade hosted by Rock Star Book Tours. I absolutely loved this book and cannot wait rave about it. Remember to say until the end and join the giveaway.

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5 ★ – An Incredibly Entertaining and Fascinating Read

Genre(s): Young Adult, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Romance

Release Date: March 6, 2018

Publisher: Blaze Publishing, LLC

Pages: 316

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Purchase Links: Amazon, B&N, iBooks, TBD, Goodreads

synopsispic

While she sleeps, the whole universe changes.

Princess Talia Starchaser has it all. Wealth. Status. Adoring citizens. But on the eve of her eighteenth birthday, she’s forced to publicly betray her best friend, a companion mock she’s had since birth, setting events into motion that lead to the destruction of the humans, and the princess floating through space, a remnant of a time when humans ruled over droids.

One hundred years later, half-mock captain Will Perrault and his ragtag crew discover a device floating in space. When a very human Talia emerges from its depths, Will suspects she’s the key to buying his way back into the regiment he once commanded against the last remaining rebel humans—and the ruling mock queen’s good graces.

Both Talia and Will would rather get space-tossed than trust one another, but with the queen’s forces chasing them across the galaxy and the fate of both worlds hanging in the balance, they’ll forge the unlikeliest of alliances to survive.

review

So head over heels in love with this book! I love science fiction and fantasy movies and T.V. shows. There’s just something incredibly fascinating and exhilarating about sci-fi fantasy. However, when it comes to reading books in that genres, I’m quite picky and would usually choose stories with a bit of romance. Well, Our Dark Stars by Audrey Grey and Krystal Wade surely had some romance, but it’s definitely the gorgeous writing, awesome world-building, fantastically thrilling plot, and quirky lovable characters that won my heart. I love this book so much it’s already made my Top 5 Favorite Reads in 2018.

Princess Talia Starchaser and the future Sovereign of the Seven Planets has been taught that to become a great ruler, she must endure whatever comes her way with a smile on her face. On her 18th birthday, Talia is being married off to cold-hearted prince just to secure an alliance. As if things aren’t bad enough, she’s suddenly forced to publicly betray her mock best friend. Unbeknownst to Talia, her actions on that very moment would bring about the downfall of mankind — leaving her alone, frozen, and floating through space.

100 years later, droids have taken over the universe and ruling over humans. Half-mock captain, Will Perrault, is searching for something that would appease the mock queen when he and his crew of misfits discover a unique coffin-like pod – a pod that holds the human princess and the last Starchaser throughout the galaxies.

Not wanting to do anything with each other, the lost princess and the reckless, but charming half-mock captain must learn to trust and work together if they want to survive and save their people.

You guys… this book was such a breathtaking and enjoyable read! I know the concept of the story has been done before and I did get some Lunar Chronicles vibe – BUT, it was different and unique enough that I was enthralled throughout the entire time. Not to mention the story development was so incredibly well-written. With dual POVs that alternated from past to present in the beginning chapters, the authors amazingly created a sense of suspense that kept me on my toes. Even when I figured out a major part of the story, I still could not stop reading and was curious to see how everything would unfold. I also thought the world-building was creative and absolutely fascinating. The plot was fast-paced, humorous, and so exciting that I never wanted the story to end. Oh and the chemistry between Talia and Will… electrifying! Seriously so much out of this world awesomeness in this book that you need to read to experience it for yourself.

Talia was an awesome heroine and I absolutely adored her. She’s strong, determined, and most importantly kind. Will was impulsive, cocky, and a bit selfish, but his flaws made him more relatable and lovable. Being half mock, Will’s emotions conflicted with each other and I couldn’t help but feel for him. The side characters were great too! They’re obviously not perfect and had their own baggage, but that’s what I liked about them. Totally LOVEEEE complex and flawed characters…don’t you?

Overall, Our Dark Stars was such a blast and delightful read! There’s plenty of action, drama, conflict, and a cute swoony romance that had me completely glued to the pages. I really wish this was a series because I want more and I do think there could be another book or two… but the ending was more than satisfying and definitely left a huge smile on my face.

If you’re looking for a thrilling Sci-Fi adventure, then you need to check this book out.

I received an advance reader copy of this book from Rock Star Book Tours and the Publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

abouttheauthor

Audrey Grey

Hi! I’m an award winning and USA Today bestselling author of several books, including the Moonbeam Children’s Award bronze finalist, SHADOW FALL. I live in the charming state of Oklahoma with my crew: one husband, two little people, four mischievous dogs, and one poor cat. You can usually find me hiding out in my office from said crew, surrounded by books and sipping kombucha while dreaming up wondrous worlds for my characters to live in.

In between the chaos—What’s for dinner? Stop pinching your sister! Homework! Dishes!— and my writing, I make time for various projects. An admitted paintaholic, I’ve painted, sprayed or transformed nearly every piece of my house at least once. I even painted my husband’s beloved fabric chair. Oops!

I thrive on creation: starting from an idea, a blank canvas, or perhaps an outdated room, and using my imagination to create something new and emotionally engaging that’s all my own. But stories have always been my first love. Weaving together complex worlds full of flawed, conflicted characters allows me to express myself in a way I could never do otherwise.

I started creating stories during the sweltering Oklahoma summers spent laboring in my father’s wheat fields. Alone and bored, I dreamed up wild fables of vampires (the Anne Rice kind), cave men, and love-torn ghosts. By college my tales had grown more persistent, and I started to actually write them down.

Now, fiction is my life, and I look forward to sharing my characters and their stories with all of you.

Follow and Connect With Audrey Grey

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Tumblr | Goodreads

Krystal Wade

Krystal I’m happily married to the love of my life (don’t gag) and raising three beautiful children in the gorgeous state of Virginia. We live just outside Washington, D.C., and every day I wake up to find myself stuck in traffic trying to get there.

The horrid commute gives me plenty of time to zone out and think about my characters in full, brilliant details (I’m a safe driver; don’t worry). Stories give me a way to forget about the sometimes smelly strangers sitting next to me on the fifty mile trek into town (I pick up hitchhikers every day. True story. Check out http://www.slug-lines.com if you don’t believe me).

I’ve been a part of organized hitchhiking for nearly fifteen years, but that’s just one small aspect of my oh-so-large life. When I’m not working, commuting, or chasing after my three children (four if you count the man), you can usually find me outside talking to my chickens like they’re the cutest things in the world (they are), or training my amazing dogs how to herd said chickens (which they love), or curled up on the sofa with a good book (why can’t that be 100% of the time?).

I hope you love my stories (or just like them a little; that would be okay, too). And I hope that one day you find your passion, because there’s nothing in life better than doing what you love while surrounded by people you love.

Follow and Connect with Krystal Wade

Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Follow the Tour

Week One

3/19/2018- Books at Dawn– Excerpt

3/19/2018- What A Nerd Girl Says– Review

3/20/2018- Emily Reads Everything– Review

3/20/2018- Darque Dreamer Reads– Review

3/21/2018- F A N N A– Interview

3/21/2018- Twirling Book Princess– Review

3/22/2018- The Desert Bibliophile– Review

3/22/2018- Here’s to Happy Endings– Review

3/23/2018- BookHounds– Interview

3/23/2018- Sincerely Karen Jo– Review

Week Two

3/26/2018- Wonder Struck– Excerpt

3/26/2018- Dani Reviews Things– Review

3/27/2018- Sweet Southern Home– Excerpt

3/27/2018- Smada’s Book Smack– Review

3/28/2018- Lisa Loves Literature– Interview

3/28/2018- A Gingerly Review– Review

3/29/2018- Novel Novice– Guest Post

3/29/2018- Twinning for Books– Review

3/30/2018- The Cover Contessa– Interview

3/30/2018- I Heart Romance & YA– Review

Giveaway

Details: 1 winner will receive a $30 Amazon GC and a hardcover copy of Cinder, US Only.

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Thanks for stopping by everyone. I hope you enjoyed reading my review and get to meet Talia, Will, and the rest of the gang! And if you’ve already read this amazing book, let me know what you think. I’d love to hear from you.

Have a wonderful day and a funtastic weekend!!

sincerelykarenjo2

Looking for Dei
David A. Willson
Publication date: March 23rd 2018
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

Fifteen-year-old Nara Dall has never liked secrets. Yet it seems that her life has been filled with them, from the ugly scar on her back to the strange powers she possesses. Her mysterious father refuses to say anything about her origins, and soon, she and her best friend must attend the announcement ceremony, in which youths are tested for a magical gift.

A gifted youth has not been announced in the poor village of Dimmitt for decades. When Nara uncovers the reason, she uses her own powers to make things right. The decision sets her on a path of danger, discovery, and a search for the divine. In the process, she learns the truth about herself and uncovers the biggest secret of all: the power of broken people.

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excerpt

PROLOGUE

Southside Orphanage

Fairmont – Capital of the Great Land 652PB (Post-Breshi)

The toddler blew at the dandelion bloom until its seeds broke free and floated away on a breeze that gusted past the man watching her from the bushes. His breath hitched as his burdens were lifted and briefly forgotten.

It had taken ten years to locate her. A life of study, prayer, and service to Dei in a monastery had not prepared him for so many years on the run, hiding under false names while he searched for the one he feared he might never find. His grizzled, greying goatee and unkempt hair might have labeled him a beggar or a desperate criminal, but the hope in his eyes told a different story.

Oblivious to the nearby threat, the girl dropped the crumpled dandelion stem and stumbled clumsily near a pile of stones. No more than two years old, she waddled across the overgrown orphanage courtyard, her cloth diaper askew. She plucked more flowers, her red hair dancing as she hopped after the seeds. She seemed to favor the world as her playmate, ignoring the twenty other children in the courtyard. She bumped into a small boy, fell down, and hopped back up with a baby-tooth grin before trotting off.

When she fell, a glimpse of her back jolted the man to his task. It was the blemish that beckoned him here—an ugly red scar stretching from upper back to waist, announcing her identity as the prophetic treasure he had sought for so long. The weight of the manuscript in his backpack grounded his thoughts, and he glanced around the area. There were no fences, plenty of bushes for cover, and a single matron leisurely surveying the yard. The woman sat on the aging building’s back steps, watching the little ones as they ran about. She wore a dress and would be unable to chase him. How long would it take for her to alert the authorities?

As he surveyed the grounds to plan his escape, the girl waggled her hand at a passing butterfly and giggled as it flew away. Fortune favored his plans when she ran to a group of dandelions just a few feet from his hiding place. Squatting, she grabbed several stems, preparing to blow and release the seeds.

The man looked over to the matron, who had turned away to manage a quarrel between two other children. Knowing this might be his only chance, he burst forward and scooped the babe up in one arm, then raced back through the bushes behind the orphanage. He ran as fast as he could, unable to avoid jostling the child in his arms. She began to cry at the shock of her abduction, still gripping the dandelion stems in one tiny fist.

Back at the orphanage, the matron in the dress looked toward the back of the yard. The only evidence of a disturbance was a cloud of dandelion seeds that drifted upon the air, scattering in the light breeze. She turned to the many children she cared for, oblivious to the crime that had just been perpetrated under her watch.

abouttheauthor

David A. Willson has worked as a restauranteur, peace officer, and now, author. Taught by his mother to read at a young age, he spent his childhood exploring magic, spaceships, and other dimensions. In his writing, he strives to bring those worlds to his readers.

Much of his material is inspired by the “Great Land” of Alaska, which he has called home for over 30 years. He lives there with his wife, five children, and 2 dogs. He is passionate about technology, faith, and fiction—not necessarily in that order.

Looking for Dei is Willson’s debut novel, set in a land where many more adventures will take place. Stay up to date with his ongoing efforts through the Looking for Dei Facebook page or visiting the website at davidawillson.com.

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