Keep reading after the review for
a tour-exclusive excerpt from OF SILVER AND BEASTS
and a special giveaway!
a tour-exclusive excerpt from OF SILVER AND BEASTS
and a special giveaway!
OF SILVER AND BEASTS is $2.99
on nook, Kindle, Kobo, etc.
What a great deal!
on nook, Kindle, Kobo, etc.
What a great deal!
O P E N I N G L I N E:
The morning sun hangs over the sand-covered queendom of cavan, reflecting off the glass buildings towering above the downtown market, its heated rays drawn to my dark uniform.
Straightening my starched shirt and leather harness, I try to pull the material away from my sweat-slicked skin, cursing the already blistering sun. But Cavan's sweltering summer is only partially the reason I'm bathed in sweat. The protector advancement ceremony is in an hour, and my nerves are about to consume me.
(pg. 4, US e-book edition)
One thing I really like about the books Trisha Wolfe rights is the mythological feel. When I read and reviewed ASTARTE'S WRATH last month, I liked the mix of Egyptian and original lore. With Wolfe's new Goddess Wars series, all of the mythology is original, not pulled from other cultures. It feels like it could be, while still remaining fresh and new. The world-building and culture of the setting are intricate and gripping. The dark grittiness and grim environment that our main characters are trapped in reminds me of the arena from THE HUNGER GAMES, yet more primal. In this way, I'm also reminded of CARNIVAL OF SOULS by Melissa Marr (Though I've only read the summary and could be completely wrong here.). The way technology, medicine, and cybernetics woven into the story remind me of CINDER by Marissa Meyer. The dark, unforgiving nature of the story makes me want to re-read SHADOW AND BONE by Leigh Bardugo, then dive into SEIGE AND STORM, (Which I was planning to do this month anyway, so why not right now?). The essence of the story in some aspects reminds me of all of these, and also none of these. OF SILVER AND BEASTS is like none of these titles, truly an entity of its own. If you like any of the above, however, I think you'll find something to enjoy in the Goddess Wars series, though be forewarned that this is not a YA novel like the others are.
Kaliope harbors a secret: Mercury courses through her blood, thanks to an incident with her father when she was younger. Now, a cybernetic clamp disperses the poisonous mercury away from her heart. She can't afford a skin graft to cover it, and tries desperately to keep her secret and hide her shame. When she's overheated or emotional, this task becomes harder, since the mercury can give off a bright silver sheen. Despite this, she's chosen to be leader of the Nactue Guard, destined to protect the Empress. An Otherworlder War is upon the queendom, however, and a neighboring kingdom has fallen, leaving behind a young, vulnerable heir, Prince Caben. Kaliope is assigned to be his protector, and when Cavan and her Empress fall, Kaliope and Prince Caben are taken hostage. Brought below ground to the Cage, they must fight against a blood-thirsty deity for their survival, even if it means fighting against Kaliope's friends...or against one another.
One of the most interesting aspects in OF SILVER AND BEASTS is the fact that Cavan is a queendom, not a kingdom. The society is a matriarchal one, which isn't often depicted in fiction. Not all societies have this belief, however, and it intrigues me to see Prince Caben come from a traditional patriarchal society. Kaliope and the Prince have extremely different belief systems that often clash, and both have to work hard to understand where the other is coming from. The inclusion of these differences added an extra element to the story for me. It also helps flesh out both characters, especially Prince Caben, who has so much depth than what we first come across when meeting him.
Like with ASTARTE'S WRATH, there's a lot of world-building early on that leads to a slower start, but once the story gets rolling, the action never starts. Wolfe once again gives fantasy fans a great world and an intriguing concept that never feels forced or contrived. At times, description can be graphic and violent, unflinchingly showcasing the brutality of war and blood sports. The ride is a satisfying one, however...until, of course, you reach that final page. Be warned that there is a cliffhanger ending, and OF DARKNESS AND CROWNS isn't scheduled to come out until November. At least November is only a few months away, and not a year like so many series!
C O V E R D E S I G N:
My favorite part of the cover is likely to be overlooked by most people. Look closely at the model's back--it whispers secrets about the deadly mercury circulating within her veins. I love this extra touch!
O F F I C I A L I N F O:
Title: OF SILVER AND BEASTS
Author: Trisha Wolfe
Release Date: Out April 19, 2013
Publisher: Trisha Wolfe
Received: For Review
SUMMARY:
In the sand-covered queendom of Cavan, the goddess once saved a young Kaliope’s life, preventing the mercury her father attempted to hide in her blood from reaching her heart. Now, a cybernetic clamp filters it, but the silver streaks swirling faintly beneath her skin are a constant reminder that she’s different.
When nineteen-year-old Kaliope is chosen as head of the Nactue Guard, she becomes the sworn protector to her empress. In the midst of an invasion on a neighboring land, Kaliope is placed in charge of guarding Prince Caben, the last heir to his kingdom. But when they’re attacked by the feared Otherworlders, Caben and Kaliope are abducted and taken below to a realm where they must fight for their life in a caged arena.
Kaliope struggles to protect her princely charge, keeping him and herself alive while battling inhumanly opponents, and trying to save the stolen, sacred relic that will restore her empress’s life force and all of Cavan. And if she can somehow awaken the goddess within her, she may save what’s most important.
New Adult Dark Fantasy: Intended for readers 17 years of age and older.
When nineteen-year-old Kaliope is chosen as head of the Nactue Guard, she becomes the sworn protector to her empress. In the midst of an invasion on a neighboring land, Kaliope is placed in charge of guarding Prince Caben, the last heir to his kingdom. But when they’re attacked by the feared Otherworlders, Caben and Kaliope are abducted and taken below to a realm where they must fight for their life in a caged arena.
Kaliope struggles to protect her princely charge, keeping him and herself alive while battling inhumanly opponents, and trying to save the stolen, sacred relic that will restore her empress’s life force and all of Cavan. And if she can somehow awaken the goddess within her, she may save what’s most important.
New Adult Dark Fantasy: Intended for readers 17 years of age and older.
Help Trisha and the Tuff Girl Legion get to 50 reviews on Amazon to read this full scene from Caben’s POV! Scene will release on Trisha’s blog. You can bookmark the bonus material here!
Tuff Girl Legion Presents OF SILVER AND BEASTS
EXCERPT
The cool sensation of the fresh water on my skin helps me
forget my nerves and I lie back, floating just below the top of the water. My
body dulls, the cold soothing my sore muscles, and I welcome the numbness. The
ceiling of the cave is sprinkled with tiny clusters of white lights, dotting
the canopy above our heads like stars in the sky. I feel as if I’m sitting on
the rooftop of my apartment, staring at the night sky, not here in the
Otherworld, awaiting my death.
The water rolls, rocking my body, and I glance over as Caben
floats up beside me. He’s on his back also, and points to the lights dusting
the cave ceiling.
“Diamonds,” he says.
“Really?” I don’t know much about any minerals other than
mercury. And somehow, diamonds as our stars makes my chest heavy. It’s too
beautiful. “How can you tell?”
“The ultraviolet light shows the impurities,” he says. “The
imperfections actually absorb the dark light, causing the diamond to emit a
visible glow.” He chuckles. “A very expensive lighting effect.”
I laugh. “Quite expensive.” They twinkle as they reflect the
rippling water. “But almost more heavenly than the stars.” I lower my voice at
the end, hoping he didn’t hear my spoken thoughts.
Caben doesn’t speak, and the trickling of the stream and lap
of the pool becomes the only sound as we float in compatible silence. I could
drift off, fall asleep in this peaceful place, but I know we still have a
mission to complete before the Reckoning.
This thought awakens me, and I touch my feet to the bottom
of the pool and begin to wade toward the edge.
I hear Caben’s heavy groan. “No you don’t,” he says, and
captures the bottom of my tunic. He tugs me through the water, back to the
pool’s center. “Not yet. This could be our last reprieve, and I plan for us to
enjoy it.”
As I turn to face him, his fingers slip from my shirt to my
waist, grazing my stomach. My skin prickles, and I shiver, matching the
trembling water around us. His deep blue eyes meet mine, and he swallows, his
Adam’s apple working. Slowly, he begins to inch up my tunic—
“Wait.” I place my hand on top of his.
He cranes an eyebrow. “It should really have time to dry
before we go back.”
Logically, that makes sense. But the heated look he’s giving
me says so much more. And regardless of the attraction I may feel for the
prince—a woman would have to be blind—and whether or not we actually escape
this hell ... what then? We share an intimate moment once, and go back to our
stations in life, simply pretending nothing happened?
Or maybe I’m reading too much into his gaze. He’s a man, and
physical desire is self-serving. He may die ... and he probably wants to bed a
woman one last time. Everything about his character screams he’s not one who
thinks past the moment.
I could lose myself for now, give in to the pulse quickening
my blood with need, but I’ve never shown a man the clamp over my heart. It
would have to be something I did for a different reason if I ever chose to do
so. Not merely because I may die soon.
As I push his hand away and start to swim off, he grasps my
waist, encircling his firm arms around my stomach, and pulls my back to his
chest.
~*~
Trisha Wolfe is the author of the YA Steampunk DESTINY'S FIRE (Omnific Publishing), the NA Historical/Supernatural ASTARTE'S WRATH, and the upcoming YA Utopian FIREBLOOD from Spencer Hill Press, October 2013. Her NA Dark Fantasy OF SILVER AND BEASTS is now available.
She’s the creator of YA Bound, a promotional site for the Young Adult genre. Also a member of SCWW and The Apocalypsies. Check out www.TrishaWolfe.com for more on her books and bonus material.
Follow Trisha on Twitter @TrishWolfe and like her Facebook page for updates.
***GIVEAWAY***
You could win...
$15 Amazon/BN Gift Card or PayPal Cash,
signed bookmarks,
and ebook copies of ASTARTE'S WRATH
and OF SILVER AND BEASTS!
signed bookmarks,
and ebook copies of ASTARTE'S WRATH
and OF SILVER AND BEASTS!
Thanks for the review and giveaway! I like the comparisons you made with the other books! Made it easier to see what to expect in that book. :D
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