Review: Grave Bound by T.R. Graves

Title: Grave Bound
Author: T.R. Graves
Release Date: March 1st, 2013
Publisher: Create Space
Pages: 348
Source: Received for review from ATOMR Tours 

Synopsis: 

Emily Riddle has lived her entire life inside a patriarchal commune led by her father. There are many rules, but the most important one, 'keep it in the commune', is the most difficult for her to follow... especially since the only people willing to champion her cause live on the outside.

When Emily learns her father has promised her to Lorenzo, a perverted man who has plans for her that extend well beyond marriage and kids, she rebels. Regardless of the consequences, she refuses to marry someone who'd rather beat her than caress her.

A day of hooky that starts out as a tiny act of defiance - sneaking out of the commune for a swim - turns into a day filled with hope. After spending time with Levi, a man camping near the lake, she finds what true romance looks like and catches a glimpse into a future that's filled with love and admiration rather than hate and submission.

That tiny peek is enough to change the course of Emily's existence and makes it nearly impossible for her to go back to the commune and pretend she'll ever be able to tolerate the life chosen for her instead of the life she longs for. One that includes Levi.

Fighting to escape the commune, its leaders, and her fiancé proves to be more dangerous than Emily expected. The secrets she knows, as the leader's daughter, will either follow her to the grave or send her - and Levi - there.

My Thoughts:

Emily lives in a Community where the men rule and women are second class creatures. The men instill fear and the possibility of being beaten in their women. In fact, the men can do anything they want. For example, a man can cheat on his wife and the wife has to ok with it but if a woman was to do it, she would be killed. The women in the commune or Community have to be submissive to their husband or father. I was drawn to this book because it sounded unique. I liked the fact that even though Emily has had years of mental abuse (that woman are nothing), she is outspoken at times and can think for herself. Emily knows her place in the Community and does not show to others that she is defiant in any way. It is not until she meets Levi, is where she realizes that woman can have a say in their lives and ultimately have hopes and dreams other than in the Community for the future. To me, this book is a coming of age story for Emily, defying conformity.

Levi is the ultimate alpha male. He is so protective of Emily when they first meet: making sure she gets home safely, giving her his cell phone so they can talk, trying to protect her from Lorenzo. I am not a fan of insta-love and this book is no exception. On the other hand, I can understand after meeting and spending time with Levi why she would fall for him so quickly. For her, he is like a breath of fresh air from the stuffy commune.

The story started a little slow but the last half of the book I thought was great. I found the storyline to be developed really well and I finished the last half of the book in one sitting. This books reminds me a little of one of my favourite shows called Game of Thrones. You never know who the main characters are so everything is a surprise with twists and turns. The same can be said about this book. What am I talking about you might ask? You will just have to read it, if you have not done so, to know what happens. I am very interested to find out what is going to happen in the second book, Underground, which comes out in October 2013. I am excited to see how everything will play out. I recommend this book for ages 18+, who is looking for an interesting and exciting read. 

My Rating:

4 out of 5 stars!

Book Blitz: Awakened by Kriston Johnson

Title: Awakened 

Author: Kriston Johnson 

Series: The Legends Of Elyndia, #1

Publication date: April 25th 2013 

Genre: YA Fantasy

Synopsis:

Can fighting for the right side be the wrong thing to do?

Draven, the tyrant ruler of Elyndia for the last one thousand years, searches for the one who can fulfill his prophecy.

The Paladins, an elite band of warriors sworn to protect their way of life at all cost, search for the one with the ability to bring their world crumbling down.

An innocent girl, tormented by demons only she can see, lives on the brink of insanity and longs for a life of peace.

When seventeen-year-old Jade Rosenberg reads from an antique book, she has no idea she just read an incantation awaking her inherited power. But when opposing—and equally terrifying—groups invade her home, she learns she is descended from an enchanted realm and a member of a powerful race thought to have been hunted to extinction.

Ripped from her world, Jade is forced to seek refuge from those who want her dead. She is given one of two options and the time has come for her to make a choice: assassinate their sworn enemy…

Or sacrifice her soul.

Excerpt:

Prologue

Blood-encrusted iron shackles tethered Gabriel to the stone dais, digging into his bare skin, grinding to the bone. Fighting starvation and sleep deprivation, he hunched over, swaying back and forth, hovering between nightmare and reality. Sweat gleamed off his shirtless body as the jailer stirred the white-hot coals in the small fire pit next to him. He accepted what he’d done the same way he accepted his punishment—without­­ regret. It was judgment day and one man served as judge and jury.

The torch flames flickered against the stone walls like a serpent's tongue. Councilman Haywood shuffled across the medieval courtroom floor clutching a rolled piece of parchment in his meaty hand. Once the councilman read Gabriel's sentence out loud, his fate would be sealed.

“This is an unfortunate event.” The councilman’s baritone voice echoed off the walls. “Not since the fall of the Ancients have we been betrayed in such a manner, and not by one brother, but two.” He turned and addressed Gabriel, who straightened his posture and glowered at the councilman.

“Your carelessness has put not only your own people at risk. The fate of the world is now in jeopardy.” The portly man paced back and forth before the inquisitive crowd. “But because of your family's reputation, I have decided to give you a chance to redeem yourself.”

A thick wood-planked door swung open and banged against the cavern wall. A tall and husky man with salt and pepper hair stormed into the room, his sword bouncing off his leg.

“Why is Gabriel not properly represented?” he demanded.

“Jesper Turner, you have no authority within these walls.” The councilman sneered, taking pleasure in reminding Jesper of that fact.

Jesper paused for a second. “You’re right, but the elf queen does.” He showed no sign of wanting to debate with the pig-headed man. He turned and strode back toward the door.

The councilman cursed under his breath. “I was about to offer him a deal.” Jesper waited, staring over his shoulder with narrowed eyes. “We are offering him the chance to fulfill his original duty. To track down and eliminate the Elemental girl known as Jade.”

“What do you mean eliminate?” Jesper asked.

“To kill her.”

“Absolutely not. I will not do it.” The muscles in Gabriel’s chest tensed. These were the first words he had spoken since his unjustified arrest eight days before.

Jesper motioned for Gabriel to remain silent. “Why does the Council wish to kill an innocent girl?”

“Because we have never been more at risk. If Draven finds her first…” The councilman shook his head. “Besides, how would she be any different from the other hundred creatures he has brutally slain this past year? He has proven himself to be Elyndia’s most talented assassin. It’s a shame to let that talent go to waste.”

“Because they were demon beasts, and he did nothing but send them back to the void. We are talking about a young girl.”

“A young girl who holds the fate of our world in her hands. And let me remind you of something. You both made a sacred vow to protect this land at all costs. Want to or not, you have to admit this girl is a threat. And let us not forget why we are here. Gabriel’s carelessness allowed the escape of the one and only person who knew how to find her.”

Gabriel held his head high in defiance. “Given the opportunity, I would do it again.”

Goodreads | Amazon

About the Author:

Kriston Johnson lives in Southwest Washington with her husband, teenage son, and miniature Australian Shepherd. Her home rests at the fringe of an old growth forest that she insists is the home of Jason Voorhees. Her husband thinks that’s a ridiculous assumption, because everyone knows it’s really Bigfoot. Every summer Kriston participates in the annual pilgrimage to Faerieworlds, a real life faerie realm here on Earth, and has an unhealthy obsession with Star Wars, The Vampire Diaries, and Iron Man. Awakened is her first novel. You can visit her online at www.kristonjohnson.blogspot.com.

You can the author by:

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

In My Mailbox (7) & Stacking the Shelves (2)

Welcome to this week's In My Mailbox. In My Mailbox (IMM) is hosted by The Story Siren, who was inspired by a fellow book blogger Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. It features books I have bought or received for review.

Stacking the Shelves by Tynga`s Reviews is about adding books to my shelves I received during the past week whether it is physical or virtual. This week all the books I bought were for my kindle. Have I said how much I LOVE my kindle? The only thing it is missing is a colour background. Is it weird I love my e-reader??? 

Purchased:

Darkness, Kindled (Fire Spirits #4) by Samantha Young 

Fallen Too Far (Too Far #1) by Abbi Glines

Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin #1) by Robin LaFevers

The Proposition by Katie Ashley

What books did you get???