Blackbird - Book Review

Blackbird: An Ash & Ruin Companion Novel
by Shauna Granger

What is it about:
What if YouTube warned of the end of the world? Would we even take it seriously? Or just assume it was some lame, internet hoax?

Maggie has her first college finals to prepare for; she doesn’t have time for pranks and conspiracy theories. But a super flu has broken out on campus and her dorm mate keeps coughing, threatening to get her sick before she can get through the tests and get home for Christmas.

More and more people are coming down with the super flu and the vaccines aren’t working for everyone and when one of her professors is dragged out of the classroom by cops and doctors, Maggie realizes she’s waited too long to leave campus.

Finals are the last thing she should be worrying about—she needs to get home, but can she make it in time?

What did I think of it:
I love the Ash & Ruin trilogy and the first companion novel, so you bet I got my trotters on this one.

And this is yet again a great read.

The story is set at the start of the outbreak and I loved how Maggie acts like most people would: waving her mother's worry aside she continues to go to her classes so she won't miss her finals. Failing seems a worse fate than catching the flu. When she finally realizes things are bad it may be too late to get out.

Maggie's reaction to everything feels believable. Once she is aware of the situation her common sense kicks in and she and her traveling companions try to make it home. I love how this story is not about heroes doing heroic things, but shows ordinary people trying to make the right decisions in a bad situation.

I was hooked from the start and was rooting for Maggie to survive and succeed. I loved both her and the people she hooks up with. Together they face lots of danger and peril on the way to safety. I was on the edge of my seat to discover how they would manage to survive.

And the ending!

I need a sequel! You can bet I'll be stalking Granger's social media for news.

Why should you read it:
It's an awesome story set at the start of an apocalypse.


Buy from Amazon

Wytchcraft - Book Review

Wytchcraft (Matilda Kavanagh #1)
by Shauna Granger

What is it about:
Matilda Kavanagh – Witch For Hire. No spell, charm, or potion too difficult.

Supernaturals are out of the closet, living alongside humans in a tenuous relationship. Most are just trying to live life like nothing’s changed, others would use magic for their own gain.

When Mattie creates a charm to help a half-troll catch a fairy, she sets herself up for the worst possible thing: she is now in debt to the fairy court. If she can’t find the fae prince and bring him home alive, it’ll be her head on the chopping block.

What did I think of it:
I love Granger's Ash & Ruin series, so I wanted to try out her other series as well. I really liked the first book in her Elemental series and have the rest of that series in my TBR pile. But of course instead of reading those, I picked up the first book in yet another one of her series.

And this is a very enjoyable read.

Mattie is a fun heroine, and I really liked the worldbuilding as well. Mattie managed to get herself in trouble and when she's not quick enough to agree to a deal her ex-lover is used as leverage.

I think here we have the one point in the story that didn't work for me. I wanted more connection with the ex-lover than just some flashbacks. I wasn't invested in their history together and he sounded like more trouble than he was worth. It's a good thing that Mattie's own life was in danger as well, otherwise I'd have called her a fool to go through all the trouble.

Luckily that was the one thing I didn't much like, otherwise this was a fun and action-packed story. I was hooked from the start and loved Granger's take on all the mythological creatures. There were also some cool side characters I hope to see again in future books.

All in all a cool read that makes me curious what trouble will find Mattie next. I will get my trotters on the next book for sure.

Why should you read it:
It's a very enjoyable Urban Fantasy read.


Buy from bookdepository

Dandelions - Early Book Review

Dandelions: An Ash & Ruin Companion Novel
by Shauna Granger

What is it about:
At fifteen years old, Gwen’s world has ended. Not because she’s gone through a break-up. Not because her parents are ruining her life with a lame curfew. Not because her grades are struggling. Not in the way a fifteen-year-old’s life usually ends.

At fifteen years old, Gwen has burned the dead bodies of both her parents and fortified her home against the plague-spreading monsters who killed them, waiting for her sister, Maggie, to make her way back home in the apocalyptic landscape that is the world now.

At fifteen years old, Gwen’s world has ended, but she’s not giving up. She’s not giving up on life, her home, or her sister. Because all you have left when the world ends is hope, so that’s what she’s got, a BB gun and hope.

Hopefully it’ll be enough.

What did I think of it:
I love Granger's Ash & Ruin trilogy with a passion! So much so that I even ordered a t-shirt of the series at Redbubble.

So I was over the moon when I got an early copy of Dandelions which is a Companion novel to the trilogy.

And this book is so good!

I love post apocalyptic fiction and this book gave me everything I love about the genre: people trying to survive in a world gone bad, evil critters, devastation, human nature at its best and worst, etc...

Gwen is a great heroine. She's on her own, trying her best to survive and to keep hope that things will get better. She's smart and resourceful, but when others show up, she has some important choices to make. What is the right thing to do? And is the right thing the smart thing to do?

I love the setting, which is basically the deserted neighborhood Gwen lives in, but Granger manages to make the most of it, using both setting and atmosphere to drag you into this suspenseful and emotional story about survival and hope.

I was hooked form the start and had to read on to learn more about Gwen, her choices, and the people who invade her territory.

All in all this is a wonderful and awesome post apocalyptic story and I can only hope Granger will write more books set in this world.

You bet I'll be stalking bookdepository so I can get my grabby trotters on the print version as soon as it releases.

Why should you read it:
It's an awesome post apocalyptic YA read.


Expected release date: April 25, 2017

Find buy links here

World of Ash - Book Review (repost)

World of Ash
by Shauna Granger

What is it about:
There are two inherent truths in the world: life as we know it is over, and monsters are real.

The Pestas came in the night, spreading their pox, a deadly plague that decimated the population. Kat, one of the unlucky few who survived, is determined to get to her last living relative and find shelter from the pox that continues to devastate the world. When it mutates and becomes airborne, Kat is desperate to avoid people because staying alone might be her only chance to stay alive.

That is, until she meets Dylan. Dylan, with his easy smile and dark, curly hair, has nowhere to go and no one to live for. He convinces Kat there can be safety in numbers, that they can watch out for each other. So the unlikely couple set off together through the barren wasteland to find a new life – if they can survive the roaming Pestas, bands of wild, gun-toting children, and piles of burning, pox-ridden bodies.

What did I think of it:
As you know I got a weakness for post apocalyptic stories, so when I heard about this book I had to read it.

And this is such a cool read!

The mood of this story is dark and grim and even though it's written in present tense I was hooked from the start. I barely noticed the present tense, I was that involved in what was going on.

Kat is a character I can relate to. She's cautious and a bit cynical. It's clear from some flashbacks that this isn't who she used to be before the plague though. And then there's Dylan. He's the opposite of Kat in a lot of ways and the interaction between the two of them is cool to read.

There's lots of suspenseful situations and I couldn't stop reading. When one dangerous situation was resolved, the next crisis popped up, keeping me on the edge of my seat. I only stopped reading when I had to and finished it in a day.

I'm very glad that this isn't a standalone, and that Granger is working on a sequel, because I need more!

Why should you read it:
It's a cool and grim Post Apocalyptic read.


Buy from bookdepository

Earth - Book Review

Earth (Elemental #1)
by Shauna Granger

What is it about:
Shayna and her two best friends have the abilities to manipulate and control the four elements, earth, air, water and fire. While learning to hone their growing powers, they discover a new and malicious presence in their sleepy beach town. Someone is performing blood magic and threatens to expose their small magical community. So far only small animals have been slaughtered, but then the nightmares start.

Shayna suffers nightmares of being chased and sacrificed only to wake up bloodied and bruised. She thinks her magical blood is the ultimate target for the final blood rite. When an innocent girl, Tracy, is kidnapped Shayna knows it's only a ploy to draw her out; she can't let someone die because of her.

What did I think of it:
I absolutely love Granger's Ash and Ruin series, so I had to give one of her other series a try.

And this is a really cool read.

I liked Shayna and her friends. They care for each other and for the people close to them. I also liked that they were comfortable with their powers. They might not know everything yet, but they aren't bumbling through this story. They get things done, and when they don't, they look for help or information. There are of course a few moments when Shayna thinks she can handle stuff on her own, but she gets called out on it by her friends.

I also liked how the paranormal elements are all based on occult and Wiccan theories and beliefs you'd be able to track down yourself in books if you searched for it. It made the magic and the things that happened feel real.

If there's one thing I can grumble about it's that I had wanted to see a bit more scenes that included other people besides Shayna and her friends. Because they interact with only a few other people, it's pretty clear where to look for the culprit. That small grumble aside I very much enjoyed this read, and I will most certainly pick up the next book in this series.

Why should you read it:
It's a cool Paranormal YA read.


Buy from bookdepository

Age of Blood - Book Review

Age of Blood (Ash and Ruin #3)
by Shauna Granger

What is it about:
Hope is a dangerous thing, but powerful. Hope keeps you going. Hope can keep you alive.

But hope can shatter your world.

Kat and Dylan have found a home, but the monsters are still out there. The pox and plague still ravage the world. They have hope of finding a vaccine, but their encampment isn't equipped to develop it.

Dylan is still too weak from the pox to leave the encampment, so Kat must decide between staying by his side and protecting her last remaining family member as he leaves to find supplies. Separated for the first time since they came together, Kat and Dylan will have to fight their own battles to save what is left of their bloody world.

Kat will have to hold on to hope that she has anything left to save and someone to come home to. If she can survive.

What did I think of it:
If I wasn't already totally hooked on this trilogy, I might have started on it as soon as I saw the cover of this book. Isn't it gorgeous and cool!

Anyway...

I loved the previous two books, so I ordered this book as soon as I saw it was available on bookdepository.

And this book is an wonderful conclusion to an awesome trilogy.

I was a bit apprehensive that Kat and Dylan were splitting up, but Granger made it work. I could understand why Kat takes on a mission that takes her away from Dylan. The team she travels with was well chosen story-wise: Kat's companions all have very different personalities and their interaction was just as suspenseful as their adventures.

To be able to end this trilogy on a note of hope the story focuses on a cure for the plague, so people can start doing more than just survive. The plan to create a vaccine and to find the supplies to do so sounded believable to me, making it easy to root for Kat to succeed.

She and her friends encounter lots of dangers on their mission and there is lots of action. And it's not just Pestas they encounter: This book shows people both at their best and their very worst.

The book is fast paced and I couldn't put it down until I reached the end, which is very satisfying in my opinion. I will most certainly reread this trilogy, and might give other books by Granger a try as well.

Why should you read it:
It's an awesome Post Apocalyptic YA read.

Cover Reveal - Age of Blood

Age of Blood (Ash and Ruin #3) by Shauna Granger

Hope is a dangerous thing, but powerful. Hope keeps you going. Hope can keep you alive.

But hope can shatter your world.

Kat and Dylan have found a home, but the monsters are still out there. The pox and plague still ravage the world. They have hope of finding a vaccine, but their encampment isn't equipped to develop it.

Dylan is still too weak from the pox to leave the encampment, so Kat must decide between staying by his side and protecting her last remaining family member as he leaves to find supplies. Separated for the first time since they came together, Kat and Dylan will have to fight their own battles to save what is left of their bloody world.

Kat will have to hold on to hope that she has anything left to save and someone to come home to.

If she can survive.

Available 5/5/2015

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Preorder on Barnes and Noble
Preorder on Kobo

About the series:

World of Ash - book 1

There are two inherent truths in the world: life as we know it is over, and monsters are real.

The Pestas came in the night, spreading their pox, a deadly plague that decimated the population. Kat, one of the unlucky few who survived, is determined to get to her last living relative and find shelter from the pox that continues to devastate the world. When it mutates and becomes airborne, Kat is desperate to avoid people because staying alone might be her only chance to stay alive.

That is, until she meets Dylan. Dylan, with his easy smile and dark, curly hair, has nowhere to go and no one to live for. He convinces Kat there can be safety in numbers, that they can watch out for each other. So the unlikely couple set off together through the barren wasteland to find a new life – if they can survive the roaming Pestas, bands of wild, gun-toting children, and piles of burning, pox-ridden bodies.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | Smashwords

Time of Ruin - book 2

The world has ended, and hope is the most dangerous thing left.

Battered and bruised after barely escaping San Francisco with their lives, Kat, Dylan, and Blue press north – desperate to reach the possibility of a new home.

But strange, monstrous ravens are tracking the remaining survivors, food is becoming scarce, gasoline is running short, and people are becoming suicidal, making survival almost impossible.

And the Pestas are growing bolder. Somehow, their numbers are growing.

The further north they go, the harder it becomes to ignore the signs that they’ve made a fatal mistake. Kat must face the impossible truth that there is no escape, there is no safe haven, and their worst nightmares don’t come close to their new reality.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | Smashwords

About the author:

Like so many other writers, Shauna grew up as an avid reader, but it was in high school that she realized she wanted to be a writer. She released the first installment of her Paranormal YA Series, The Elemental Series, Earth, on May 1, 2011 and has since released four sequels, with the series coming to an end with Spirit. In December of 2013 she released the first in her Paranormal Post-Apocalyptic trilogy (Ash And Ruin Trilogy), World of Ash. Be sure to also check out her newest series: The Matilda Kavanagh Novels about a spunky witch just trying to pay her rent in West Hollywood. Shauna is currently hard at work on one too many projects, trying to organize the many voices in her head. It's a writer thing.

Stalkables:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

About the Cover Artist Stephanie Mooney:

I am a 25-year-old graphic designer, artist, and aspiring author currently living in Cincinnati, Ohio. I’m a renaissance girl — a lover of all things creative and artistic. From the moment I learned to use my hands, I was writing stories about princesses and sketching ballerinas. I guess I never really stopped.

Most of my training has been informal, and many of my skills are self taught. In 2006-07, I spent a year interning at a church in Louisiana where I worked in their art and design department. In July 2007, they hired me as one of their designers. I worked there for three years, gaining experience in graphic design, advertising, set building, event planning, and product design. From there, I began my career in freelance design.

Many of my clients are indie authors looking for affordable cover designs. I love working with authors and getting excited about their stories with them. I’m still building my web portfolio, but I really enjoy designing and developing websites as well.

Stalkables:

Website | Flickr| Twitter | Instagram

Time of Ruin - Book Review

Time of Ruin (Ash and Ruin #2)
by Shauna Granger

What is it about:
The world has ended, and hope is the most dangerous thing left.

Battered and bruised after barely escaping San Francisco with their lives, Kat, Dylan, and Blue press north – desperate to reach the possibility of a new home.

But strange, monstrous ravens are tracking the remaining survivors, food is becoming scarce, gasoline is running short, and people are becoming suicidal, making survival almost impossible.

And the Pestas are growing bolder. Somehow, their numbers are growing.

The further north they go, the harder it becomes to ignore the signs that they’ve made a fatal mistake. Kat must face the impossible truth that there is no escape, there is no safe haven, and their worst nightmares don’t come close to their new reality.

What did I think of it:
I fell in love with the first book in this trilogy, so I got my trotters on Time of Ruin as soon as I could. I can tell you the waiting until it was available on bookdepository was torture, I almost caved and bought the ebook instead. But knowing I would want the book in print if I loved it even half as much as World of Ash, made me hold back and wait for the print version.

And Time of Ruin was worth the wait.

Kat and Dylan did have a few moments where I wanted to kick some sense into them, but overall they are likable and acting with common sense. They seem to be immune to the plague that decimated the population, but that doesn't mean there are no dangers that could kill them. There are other (desperate) survivors, a lack of food, and the Pestas to deal with.

Time of Ruin takes off shortly after where book one ended, and soon I was engrossed in the story again. Kat and Dylan decide to go north to find Kat's uncle, but it seems the north isn't the safest place to be. They have to decide whether to push on or come up with another plan, and who to trust.

I love the world building and the Pestas. Granger manages to give a Post Apocalyptic setting something unique with these creepy creatures, while at the same time giving me all the elements I love in Post Apocalyptic stories as well. In World of Ash the Pestas remained mysterious, but in this book there are some discoveries about the Pestas that have me eager to find out even more.

The ending of this book isn't a cliffhanger, but enough things are still left open that I need the next book to see how everything will end.

All in all this is a really cool Post Apocalyptic Young Adult read, and I will wait impatiently for the conclusion of this trilogy. I might try one of Granger's other books in the meantime.

Why should you read it:
If you like Post Apocalyptic YA, you will most probably love this series.

Time of Ruin - Book Blitz

Time of Ruin (Ash and Ruin #2)

by Shauna Granger

Release Date: 07/22/14

Summary from Goodreads:

The world has ended, and hope is the most dangerous thing left.



Battered and bruised after barely escaping San Francisco with their lives, Kat, Dylan, and Blue press north – desperate to reach the possibility of a new home.



But strange, monstrous ravens are tracking the remaining survivors, food is becoming scarce, gasoline is running short, and people are becoming suicidal, making survival almost impossible.



And the Pestas are growing bolder. Somehow, their numbers are growing.



The further north they go, the harder it becomes to ignore the signs that they’ve made a fatal mistake. Kat must face the impossible truth that there is no escape, there is no safe haven, and their worst nightmares don’t come close to their new reality.

Excerpt:

Sitting on the bumper again, my jagged nails scratch at the plastic as I fight the urge to tell Dylan to hurry. Blue looks up at me and whines. I shake my head at him and pet him with the toe of my boot. His eyes are dark blue in the evening light. Blue drops his head and looks at Dylan, his ears perked up into two triangles. I follow his gaze. Dylan’s still standing, holding his instruments of destruction, and staring at the raging fire.

Blue pushes to his feet and barks one sharp, loud yelp. My hand drifts over to the rifle by my leg as I let my eyes slide from Dylan’s back to search for the source of Blue’s panic.

“Dylan.” I mean to call to him, but my voice comes out in a strangled whisper.

I swallow as I stand and pull the rifle with me. Across the street, the shadows between the houses are taking shape. They’re no longer the snapping, twisting formless shadows from the fire, but something more, something substantial. Dylan lifts the can of fluid and squirts more onto the fire, making it spike and lick the air.

“Dylan,” I try again, my voice a little louder. The rifle is in my hands now. The stock is pressed into my shoulder as I aim at the shadows peeling away from the deeper black.

Still Dylan doesn’t hear me, or is ignoring me.

Blue barks repeatedly, backing up until he hits the car. I find my voice and scream his name loud enough that it hurts my throat. Finally he looks at me, his face cast in shadows with the light behind him. I can’t make out his features, but I can make out the horde of Pestas behind him.

“Run!” I aim the gun as I walk backward around the car.

Instead of listening to me, he looks back to see what has terrified me so. They shuffle forward, lines of them spilling out into the cul-de-sac. Dylan takes two steps backward, nearly tripping over his feet and making me scream again. I rip the rear door open for Blue to get in the car. Slamming the door behind Blue, I lift the rifle and fire a shot, aiming well away from Dylan. The Pestas cringe in unison, as though they are all puppets controlled by the same set of strings.
“Run, dammit!” I scream.

-------------------

Book One:

(click cover to go to the Goodreads page of Book One)

About the Author

Like so many other writers, Shauna grew up as an avid reader, but it was in high school that she realized she wanted to be a writer. Five years ago, Shauna started work on her Elemental Series. She released the first installment, Earth, on May 1, 2011 and has since released four sequels, with the series coming to an end with Spirit. She is currently hard at work on a new Urban Fantasy series, staring a spunky witch with a smush-faced cat named Artemis.

Author Links:

   

GIVEAWAY:

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Book Blitz Organized by:

Time of Ruin - Cover Reveal

I loved World of Ash, the first book in the Ash and Ruin series, so I'm happy to show you the awesome cover of the second book: Time of Ruin. I can't wait to get my trotters on this book.

Time of Ruin (Ash and
Ruin #2)

by Shauna
Granger

Release Date: 07/22/14

Summary from Goodreads:

The world has ended, and hope is the most dangerous thing left.



Battered and bruised after barely escaping San Francisco with their lives, Kat,
Dylan, and Blue press north – desperate to reach the possibility of a new home.



But strange, monstrous ravens are tracking the remaining survivors, food is
becoming scarce, gasoline is running short, and people are becoming suicidal,
making survival almost impossible.

And the Pestas are growing bolder. Somehow, their numbers are growing.

The further north they go, the harder it becomes to ignore the signs that
they’ve made a fatal mistake. Kat must face the impossible truth that there is
no escape, there is no safe haven, and their worst nightmares don’t come close
to their new reality.

Book One:

(linked to Goodreads)

About the Author

Like so many other writers, Shauna grew up as an avid reader, but it was in high school that she realized she wanted to be a writer. Five years ago, Shauna started work on her Elemental Series. She released the first installment, Earth, on May 1, 2011 and has since released four sequels, with the series coming to an end with Spirit. She is currently hard at work on a new Urban Fantasy series, staring a spunky witch with a smush-faced cat named Artemis.

Author Links:

   

Cover Reveal Organized by:

World of Ash - Book Review

World of Ash
by Shauna Granger

What is it about:
There are two inherent truths in the world: life as we know it is over, and monsters are real.

The Pestas came in the night, spreading their pox, a deadly plague that decimated the population. Kat, one of the unlucky few who survived, is determined to get to her last living relative and find shelter from the pox that continues to devastate the world. When it mutates and becomes airborne, Kat is desperate to avoid people because staying alone might be her only chance to stay alive.

That is, until she meets Dylan. Dylan, with his easy smile and dark, curly hair, has nowhere to go and no one to live for. He convinces Kat there can be safety in numbers, that they can watch out for each other. So the unlikely couple set off together through the barren wasteland to find a new life – if they can survive the roaming Pestas, bands of wild, gun-toting children, and piles of burning, pox-ridden bodies.

What did I think of it:
As you know I got a weakness for post apocalyptic stories, so when I heard about this book I had to read it.

And this is such a cool read!

The mood of this story is dark and grim and even though it's written in present tense I was hooked from the start. I barely noticed the present tense, I was that involved in what was going on.

Kat is a character I can relate to. She's cautious and a bit cynical. It's clear from some flashbacks that this isn't who she used to be before the plague though. And then there's Dylan. He's the opposite of Kat in a lot of ways and the interaction between the two of them is cool to read.

There's lots of suspenseful situations and I couldn't stop reading. When one dangerous situation was resolved, the next crisis popped up, keeping me on the edge of my seat. I only stopped reading when I had to and finished it in a day.

I'm very glad that this isn't a standalone, and that Granger is working on a sequel, because I need more!

Why should you read it:
It's a cool and grim Post Apocalyptic read.