tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80835459295483666582024-03-13T11:36:00.207-07:00Mikayla's BookshelfA place for all things books! Book blog, book reviews, book talk and recommendations. Reviewing YA books, fantasy books and more.MikaylaGrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11710084738288925021noreply@blogger.comBlogger167125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083545929548366658.post-24545819693526850302020-09-30T11:09:00.000-07:002020-09-30T11:09:39.109-07:00Sister of the Chosen One Blog Tour<p> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uWTM8LiaX0w/XzqnKzR2yUI/AAAAAAAAYgg/O90gHUHgID8gi6QQAu-4-PX4sL3lZoqzwCLcBGAsYHQ/s850/Sister%2Bof%2Bthe%2BChosen%2BOne%2Btour%2Bbanner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="650" height="207" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uWTM8LiaX0w/XzqnKzR2yUI/AAAAAAAAYgg/O90gHUHgID8gi6QQAu-4-PX4sL3lZoqzwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h237/Sister%2Bof%2Bthe%2BChosen%2BOne%2Btour%2Bbanner.jpg" width="540" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><a name='more'></a></span><span face="" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;">Check out the blog tour for <i>Sister of the Chosen One</i> by Colleen Oakes & Erin Armknecht!</span></div><div style="border: none; color: #666666; font-family: "times new roman", "times new roman", "times new roman", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e8LB-zyEPW4/Xzqq6Kt4RAI/AAAAAAAAYhE/Ruhh2_duf-cIKM54c2-paRH48Rmfx0iwgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/SisterOfChosenOne_FC.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1325" height="512" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e8LB-zyEPW4/Xzqq6Kt4RAI/AAAAAAAAYhE/Ruhh2_duf-cIKM54c2-paRH48Rmfx0iwgCLcBGAsYHQ/w331-h512/SisterOfChosenOne_FC.jpg" width="331" /></a></div><div style="border: none; color: #666666; font-family: "times new roman", "times new roman", "times new roman", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Sister of the Chosen One</div><div style="border: none; color: #666666; font-family: "times new roman", "times new roman", "times new roman", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">by Colleen Oakes & Erin Armknecht</div><div style="border: none; color: #666666; font-family: "times new roman", "times new roman", "times new roman", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Genre: YA Sci-fi/Fantasy</div><div style="border: none; color: #666666; font-family: "times new roman", "times new roman", "times new roman", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Release Date: September 22nd 2020</div><div style="border: none; color: #666666; font-family: "times new roman", "times new roman", "times new roman", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div><div style="border: none; color: #666666; font-family: "times new roman", "times new roman", "times new roman", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Summary:</div><div style="border: none; color: #666666; font-family: "times new roman", "times new roman", "times new roman", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: 14px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">"Action-packed, empowering, and comic-book vivid, Sister of the Chosen One will have you cheering." - Natalie Mae, Author of The Kinder Poison</span><br style="color: #181818; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;" /><br style="color: #181818; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;" /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Valora Rigmore understands pressure. As the Chosen One (resident telekinetic, superstar and model girlfriend) her life revolves around it. According to an ancient prophesy, Valora is destined to fight Erys, a terrifying individual with the power to control monsters. Valora is worshipped at school, in the press and by her parents, but as the battle with Erys looms near, the cracks in her perfect façade are beginning to show.</span><br style="color: #181818; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;" /><br style="color: #181818; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;" /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Her twin, Grier Rigmore understands disappointment. A curvy bookworm perpetually in the shadow of her sister’s legacy, Grier’s life is one long humiliation after another. However, as Valora’s fandom reaches an unbearable fever pitch, an interesting new boy and a clever teacher spark Grier’s curiosity about her own powerful gifts.</span><br style="color: #181818; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;" /><br style="color: #181818; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;" /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">When Grier’s star begins to rise, so do more questions, like: who is truly the Chosen One, and will two sisters at odds survive long enough to understand the answer?</span><br style="color: #181818; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;" /><br style="color: #181818; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;" /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Best described as Harry Potter meets Mindy Kaling, Sister of the Chosen One is a darkly funny, female empowered YA epic about siblings struggling to connect with each other, free themselves of labels and save the world in the process.</span></div><div style="font-size: 14px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="border: none; line-height: normal; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: 22.75px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.0001pt; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.0001pt; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.0001pt; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.0001pt; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.0001pt; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="border: none; color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.0001pt; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.0001pt; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.0001pt; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.0001pt; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></div></div></div></div></div><div style="border: none; color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; color: #2101fb; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52220868-sister-of-the-chosen-one" style="border: none; color: #2101fb; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--JkXDH_ranM/UjOiwxs5rVI/AAAAAAAAQ7I/98TLR-JzTcU/s1600/add+to+goodreads+black.jpg" style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 570px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="border: none; color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; color: #2101fb; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="border: none; color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; color: #2101fb; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW193011969" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; color: black; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: start; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW193011969 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{ae5d0fa1-39b1-42c9-bf2f-b3a7a58bf0cd}{61}" paraid="1263311290" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW193011969 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #222222; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW193011969 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Purchase links:</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW193011969 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #222222; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW193011969" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; color: black; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: start; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW193011969 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{ae5d0fa1-39b1-42c9-bf2f-b3a7a58bf0cd}{77}" paraid="1520489316" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW193011969 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #222222; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW193011969 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Amazon: </span></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW193011969 BCX0" href="https://www.amazon.com/Sister-Chosen-One-Colleen-Oakes-ebook/dp/B08C9BQQ1M," rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: text;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW193011969 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #1155cc; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW193011969 BCX0" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">https://www.amazon.com/Sister-Chosen-One-Colleen-Oakes-ebook/dp/B08C9BQQ1M,</span></span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW193011969 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #222222; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW193011969 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW193011969 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #222222; font-family: WordVisiCarriageReturn_MSFontService, Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span class="SCXW193011969 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre;"> </span><br class="SCXW193011969 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre;" /></span><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW193011969 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW193011969 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW193011969" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; color: black; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: start; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW193011969 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{ae5d0fa1-39b1-42c9-bf2f-b3a7a58bf0cd}{123}" paraid="1999790853" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW193011969 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #222222; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW193011969 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Barnes and Noble: </span></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW193011969 BCX0" href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sister-of-the-chosen-one-colleen-oakes/1137455171?ean=9780578727486" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: text;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW193011969 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #1155cc; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW193011969 BCX0" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sister-of-the-chosen-one-colleen-oakes/1137455171?ean=</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW193011969 BCX0" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">9780578727486</span></span></a><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW193011969 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span><span class="EOP SCXW193011969 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="border: none; color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; color: #2101fb; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Check out this fancast!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-19scCF7UGck/X2d3aD6egmI/AAAAAAAAY1A/xNzV8HkofSAO2lBCb-sJYJTlQmT8lKy6QCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/fancast.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="368" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-19scCF7UGck/X2d3aD6egmI/AAAAAAAAY1A/xNzV8HkofSAO2lBCb-sJYJTlQmT8lKy6QCLcBGAsYHQ/w368-h368/fancast.PNG" width="368" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="border: none; color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; color: #2101fb; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>About the Authors</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n-HacqedzqI/XzqsEULjzlI/AAAAAAAAYhY/3FNgKkEdaVwwjL6OapIW7k84I3hHVcLTACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/FullSizeRender%2B%25284%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="168" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n-HacqedzqI/XzqsEULjzlI/AAAAAAAAYhY/3FNgKkEdaVwwjL6OapIW7k84I3hHVcLTACLcBGAsYHQ/w126-h168/FullSizeRender%2B%25284%2529.jpg" width="126" /></a></div><span face="" style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px;">Colleen Oakes-</span></div><div style="font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px;">Colleen Oakes is the bestselling author of books for both teens and adults, including The Black Coats, Queen of Hearts Series, and The Wendy Darling Saga. She lives in North Denver with her husband and son. You can visit her at </span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.colleenoakes.org,/&source=gmail&ust=1597765360328000&usg=AFQjCNHii--73ceV7HGpm_qlKOQBckTL9g" href="http://www.colleenoakes.org%2C/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.colleenoakes.org,</a> on her <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorColleenOakes" target="_blank">Author Colleen Oakes Facebook page</a>, on Instagram (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/colleenoakes/" target="_blank">@colleenoakes</a>) or on Twitter (<a href="https://twitter.com/ColleenOakes_" target="_blank">@ColleenOakes_</a>).</span></div><div style="font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1nhjFZNjaJU/Xzqt8QeWbrI/AAAAAAAAYhk/ll2YLfKLAkAHW4u0fpvwkuSkNcsqVDSxwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1080/thumbnail-3.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1080" height="112" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1nhjFZNjaJU/Xzqt8QeWbrI/AAAAAAAAYhk/ll2YLfKLAkAHW4u0fpvwkuSkNcsqVDSxwCLcBGAsYHQ/w168-h112/thumbnail-3.jpeg" width="168" /></a></div><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px;">Erin Armknecht-</span></div><div style="font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px;">Erin Armknecht lives in St. Louis with her husband, son and rescue dog. Sister of the Chosen One is her debut novel. You can find her Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/EisforErin">@EisforErin</a>, and on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/erinarmknecht/">@erinarmknecht</a>.</span></div><div style="font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px;">GIVEAWAY:</span></div><div style="font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_IAKXrD93Os/X2d4jVl5gjI/AAAAAAAAY1M/MApj85mIF8QTj3Fs3h5KJazXOiiSVbWoACLcBGAsYHQ/s695/bracelet%2Bprize.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="695" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_IAKXrD93Os/X2d4jVl5gjI/AAAAAAAAY1M/MApj85mIF8QTj3Fs3h5KJazXOiiSVbWoACLcBGAsYHQ/w240-h240/bracelet%2Bprize.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><a class="rcptr" data-raflid="9e540ef9613" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9e540ef9613/" id="rcwidget_d9z1evhi" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script><div style="font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.0001pt; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.0001pt; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.0001pt; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.0001pt; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.0001pt; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.0001pt; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.0001pt; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.0001pt; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="border: none; line-height: normal; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: 22.75px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.0001pt; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.0001pt; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.0001pt; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.0001pt; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.0001pt; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.0001pt; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.0001pt; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.0001pt; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.0001pt; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.0001pt; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.0001pt; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.0001pt; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.0001pt; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="border: none; line-height: normal; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: 22.75px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.0001pt; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.0001pt; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.0001pt; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.0001pt; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.0001pt; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>
MikaylaGrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11710084738288925021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083545929548366658.post-324906068260906552020-08-26T09:32:00.002-07:002020-08-26T09:32:21.252-07:00Kingdom of Runes series (so far!) review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xMQSoEw33TM/Va_PhfLIGeI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Oy2p9DGeu-geYdeQrifGqvePgat_czyXACPcBGAYYCw/s1500/Fancypants%2Bbanner%2B-%2BCopy.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="1500" height="149" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xMQSoEw33TM/Va_PhfLIGeI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Oy2p9DGeu-geYdeQrifGqvePgat_czyXACPcBGAYYCw/w410-h149/Fancypants%2Bbanner%2B-%2BCopy.png" width="410" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YodTzSSWc6g/X0Vzi_9ZXrI/AAAAAAAACE4/Ej8mPompM3clgIyDqlQcEsiimkKAER_cQCLcBGAsYHQ/s475/44163860._SY475_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="297" height="304" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YodTzSSWc6g/X0Vzi_9ZXrI/AAAAAAAACE4/Ej8mPompM3clgIyDqlQcEsiimkKAER_cQCLcBGAsYHQ/w190-h304/44163860._SY475_.jpg" width="190" /></a></div><i>After the Prince of Penryth saved her from captivity, seventeen-year-old Haven Ashwood spends her days protecting the kind prince and her nights secretly fighting the monsters outside the castle walls. </i><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>When one of those monsters kidnaps Prince Bell, Haven must ally with Archeron Halfbane and his band of immortals to rescue her friend. Her quest takes her deep into the domain of a warped and vicious queen where the rules are simple: break her curse or die.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Lost in a land of twisted magic and fabled creatures, Haven finds herself unprepared, not just for the feelings she develops for Archeron, but for the warring powers raging inside her. </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Her rare and forbidden type of magic may be their only hope . . . but mixing light and dark comes with a steep price. Haven’s soul.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Faced with impossible love, heartbreaking betrayals, and a queen intent on destroying the realm, only one thing remains certain. Haven must shatter the curse or it will devour everything she loves. </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>This series alone has made my Kindle Unlimited subscription worth it!</div><div><br /></div><div>There are YA fantasy cliches aplenty here; heroine with a mysterious past and super-special magic, love interests left and right, a quest to save the realm...but the amazing worldbuilding and characters make this book feel unique.</div><div><br /></div><div>Haven did initially come across as a little annoying at first since her confidence and sass can occasionally fall on the wrong side of arrogance, but she is revealed to have a much softer and more vulnerable side at the story goes on. I really loved Haven and Bell's friendship being just that. Not only did the story not need another love interest, but it's also refreshingly rare to read male/female friendships in YA that don't lead to anything more. Her interplay with the immortal Solis' on their journey to rescue Bell (Haven) or break the curse (the Solis') was really great too and, although Archeron felt a little bland for a love interest, the banter between them was great stuff.</div><div><br /></div><div>The worldbuilding was fantastic and the author did a great job of crafting this vast world and its inhabitants through the story, without relying on big chunks of infodumps and exposition. There definitely feels like there's a lot more to be explored in the sequels! </div><div><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j8arYnWV4eU/VavFbvPp5MI/AAAAAAAAAGw/3kQc3DIHTVgVFolI-rKVwI9226dskLnxwCPcBGAYYCw/s655/Five%2Bstars.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="135" data-original-width="655" height="68" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j8arYnWV4eU/VavFbvPp5MI/AAAAAAAAAGw/3kQc3DIHTVgVFolI-rKVwI9226dskLnxwCPcBGAYYCw/w328-h68/Five%2Bstars.png" width="328" /></a></div><i><br /></i></div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div></div><div><div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="297" height="304" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k54rDhWSho4/X0VzyODnoDI/AAAAAAAACE8/fvj5G480GYkF0AmjBcacj8rbz6Hq-oMUgCLcBGAsYHQ/w190-h304/45994600._SY475_.jpg" width="190" /> </div></div><div><div><div><i>Haven survived the Devourers, but she isn’t any closer to breaking the curse. Meanwhile, her forbidden magic rages brighter and more dangerous every day.</i></div></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>To control her powers and stand a chance against the Shade Queen, Haven made a bargain with two enemy immortals. Now her waking hours are spent fighting alongside the Sun Lord, but her dreams belong to the Shade Lord.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Only the closer she ventures into the wicked Shadow Kingdom the more her magic shows itself—and the more she struggles with whom to trust. The golden but wounded Sun Lord or the darkly charismatic Shade Lord.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Both are off-limits. </i><i>And both have the ability to save her . . . or destroy her.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>With the Shade Queen closing in and Bell’s time nearly up, Haven will sacrifice everything to break the curse—but will it be enough to stop the mortal realm from falling into darkness forever?</i></div></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Curse Breaker was a great book and definitely a worthy follow-up to Oath Taker. Was it as good? Eh...not quite, but it wasn't far off. </div><div><br /></div><div>This book definitely felt less tightly plotted than its predecessor, with Haven and co ticking curse items of the list in one set piece after another giving the book a much more episodic feel. Fortunately, these episodes are great, with tense trips to steal from a monstrous vorgrath and an action-packed visit to acquire a selkie scale from an underwater cave at least feeling different enough to break up any repetition. </div><div><br /></div><div>I wasn't a huge fan of Haven being a bit more of a damsel in distress this time around. I lost count of the number of times one of the love interests swooped in to save her. This book goes heavier on the love triangle than the previous one did, so your mileage may vary depending on how you feel about that sort of thing. Luckily, the excellent worldbuilding that I loved so much in the previous book is still present and correct here, with more lands and realms explored and more history revealed.</div><div><br /></div><div>Bell's ordeals in the castle of the Shade Queen (who I will never stop picturing as Olenna Tyrell from Game of Thrones!) added a countdown element to the story this time around which meant I pretty much blew through this book in one sitting. Love triangle aside, it's that good! </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mK4CXLUK3J8/VapyKCkxUsI/AAAAAAAAAFg/gO3rjo55NN4bYPEETSfmsPMP0qD19zQcwCPcBGAYYCw/s524/Four%2Bstars.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="134" data-original-width="524" height="69" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mK4CXLUK3J8/VapyKCkxUsI/AAAAAAAAAFg/gO3rjo55NN4bYPEETSfmsPMP0qD19zQcwCPcBGAYYCw/w268-h69/Four%2Bstars.png" width="268" /></a></div><i><br /></i></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zBItFGBtFms/X0Vz7vfzxII/AAAAAAAACFE/gnaNbRJTw98FFXx7pCqZJpwWpCeWxFiBACLcBGAsYHQ/s346/53173421._SX318_SY475_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="217" height="349" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zBItFGBtFms/X0Vz7vfzxII/AAAAAAAACFE/gnaNbRJTw98FFXx7pCqZJpwWpCeWxFiBACLcBGAsYHQ/w218-h349/53173421._SX318_SY475_.jpg" width="218" /></a></div><p><i>Haven and her crew may be considered heroes, but they arrive back in Penryth harboring dangerous secrets. Plagued by nightmares, Haven struggles to control her newfound magic while Bell shrinks under the weight of their shared lie.</i></p><p><i>When an emissary from Solissia shows up in Penryth and drafts Bell in a magical tournament, Haven is once again forced to follow the prince to foreign lands, this time to the bloodthirsty court of Archeron’s mother.</i></p><p><i>Trapped in a shifting landscape of dark politics, duplicitous immortals, and cruel sovereigns, Haven fights to keep Bell alive all without revealing their secret. But a terrible evil brews on the horizon. One that threatens the very fabric of the realm.</i></p><p><i>Haven might be their only hope of stopping the impending darkness. But first she must learn to accept her own darkness and follow her heart—no matter where it leads.</i></p><p>Given that this is the third book in a four (or possibly five) book series. I was expecting this book to be padded with filler. I wasn't expecting to launch back into this awesome world so quickly and with such a great plot!</p><p>Haven's character development from book one has been brilliant and the revelations about her past and what it means for her future have been really great. It's hard to believe the brash, arrogant character I was rolling my eyes at in the first chapter of book has grown into one of my faves.</p><p>My main issue with this book, and why I didn't rate it five stars I the love triangle element which I've not been a huge fan of from the start. Not my cup of tea, I guess. While I never really bought Archeron a viable love interest in this series (it's felt pretty obvious to me that the author had thrown her lot in with Stolas) I didn't particularly care for how he was thrown under a bus to push Haven more towards Stolas. Characters mature and change so having someone grow out of their attraction to the guy who was the main love interest book one is absolutely fine. It's not necessary to completely rewrite Archeron to make him a bad match now. The changes Haven has been through from book one alone are enough to explain why they're not suited anymore.</p><p>I was glad that we finally got some revelations about Haven's past and the history of the realm. Some I saw coming, some I definitely didn't! I can't wait to pick up the next book in the series!</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mK4CXLUK3J8/VapyKCkxUsI/AAAAAAAAAFg/gO3rjo55NN4bYPEETSfmsPMP0qD19zQcwCPcBGAYYCw/s524/Four%2Bstars.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="134" data-original-width="524" height="69" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mK4CXLUK3J8/VapyKCkxUsI/AAAAAAAAAFg/gO3rjo55NN4bYPEETSfmsPMP0qD19zQcwCPcBGAYYCw/w268-h69/Four%2Bstars.png" width="268" /></a></div><i><br /></i><p></p>MikaylaGrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11710084738288925021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083545929548366658.post-58315733449357715552020-07-19T07:23:00.001-07:002020-07-19T07:31:56.004-07:00Reasons to work with a beta reader<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hHNRKMD57mE/XxRY7dekSxI/AAAAAAAACD8/kSLZfdncCOopyS0MJoB4tHUFu5cd0I1awCLcBGAsYHQ/s720/heart-book.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="720" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hHNRKMD57mE/XxRY7dekSxI/AAAAAAAACD8/kSLZfdncCOopyS0MJoB4tHUFu5cd0I1awCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/heart-book.jpg" width="520" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">What is a beta reader?</h2><div>Just like beta testing ensures that all the bugs have been worked out of a system before it’s released to the public, beta reading is the process of reading and reviewing a book to identify any problems and areas for improvement before it’s published or sent to agents. Beta readers are the people who provide pre-publish reviews and feedback for your book to make sure it’s ready to be received as you intended by your readers, as well as flagging up any areas where you can improve the story you’re telling.</div><h2 style="text-align: left;">How do beta readers fit into the writing process?</h2><div>This very much depends on what you’re intending to do with your book – whether you want to self-publish or query for traditional publishing – but, generally, beta readers come in when you’ve “finished” the first draft of your book. Their job is to read your story as your audience will and provide you with feedback on what’s working, what isn’t, and where you can improve things. Once you’ve made your beta reader edits, you may want to have fresh betas review it (if you’ve made significant edits) or you can then send it to an editor for polishing. From there, you’re ready to self-publish or begin the query process. </div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Do I really need a beta reader?</h2><div>In my humble opinion, beta readers are an essential part of writing a book (and I'm not just saying that because I am one, I promise!). I think my noodle sandwiches are delicious but if I tried to sell them I might find they're not as popular I think they'd be (in fact, I'm pretty sure I'd have no takers!). That's why impartial, honest feedback is so important. If you're thinking about getting a beta reader for your book, here are a couple of the main benefits:</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Fresh eyes</h3><div>To use a cliché I’d recommend removing from a book, sometimes you can’t see the wood for the trees. When you put your story together, you do so with all of the supplementary knowledge that you’ve built. You know your characters and their history, you know your world inside out and you know that the sneaky reference that you made in chapter five sets up the big reveal at the end. But does it all come across to your reader? A beta reader picks up your book with no prior knowledge, just as your readers will one day. This lets you know if important information needs clarification, if too much information has spoiled the flow of the story or if you’ve gone over-the-top with irrelevant details.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">A different perspective</h3><div>While critique partners read your manuscript for craft and editors polish your text, beta readers review your book with your reader’s eyes. This unique perspective gives you an additional viewpoint on your story, one that gives you early indications of how your book may be received by your readers.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Less work for your editor</h3><div>As a rule of thumb, editors tend to be much pricier than paid beta readers. While a beta reader absolutely does not replace an editor, they can help you pick up errors and issues with your manuscript that can be fixed before it’s sent for edits. This means your editor won’t have to waste time correcting story issues that a beta reader can point out.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Honest, candid feedback</h3><div>Friends and family are good sounding boards, but unless you have brutally honest relatives you might find yourself with a lot of polite feedback on how good your book is, with very little actionable feedback. Beta readers, particularly those who charge for their services, know that their job is to read your manuscript to help you polish your story, and the only way to do that is with honest, helpful comments.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Pre-publishing feedback from your audience</h3><div>Most beta readers specialise in a couple of genres or at least have their preferences. By working with a beta who specialises in your genre, you're getting feedback on your novel directly from the people who will one day buy your book. Not only can you find out if your story works for the genre, but betas tend to be pretty well-read in their area so any similarities to other books or cliches that have been done to death can also get flagged up.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you want to connect with beta readers, there are plenty of online forums where you can request a beta or order from one who's already offering their services. I tend to post my availability on the Goodread <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/50920">Beta Reader Group forums</a> and take bookings through <a href="https://www.fiverr.com/share/X0Kovk" target="_blank">Fiverr</a>, but there are lots of writers forums out there sharing recommendations and tips.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>MikaylaGrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11710084738288925021noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083545929548366658.post-10321851061466594262020-07-17T06:58:00.003-07:002020-07-17T14:39:28.479-07:00Cover reveals - Ashen and Met By Midnight<span interview="" span="" style="font-family: "indie flower";"><font size="5">Ashen</font></span><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Stealer of warmth, bringer of death. What if Cinderella had a secret that kept her locked away?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Unable to make her own body heat, foundling Lizbete survives in the tavern kitchen, drawing warmth from the fires, the sun—and sometimes, other living beings. Her days are spent cooking alongside the tavern owner and avoiding the suspicious gazes of the villagers in her small northern village. While she quietly longs for the handsome Brynar, she knows she has no chance with the mayor’s son, even if he invites her to the First Frost festival.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">When sudden earthquakes strike Brumehome, blame falls upon Lizbete, and not even her friendship with Brynar can protect her. She finds shelter in the mysterious caverns of nearby Ash Mountain. There she discovers mysterious people with her same ability to draw heat—and a fiery doom in the mountain that slowly awakens with every quake.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Now the festival Lizbete thought to avoid is her only chance to warn the villagers. Yet even with Brynar at her side, can the strange girl dubbed the Ash Lizard hope to save the town that fears her?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A rugged YA Cinderella retelling set in a fantasy world with light steampunk elements.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JRiMnIb74Kw/XxGmsh2O85I/AAAAAAAACDE/X1dvr-lfHTUMglVnAiLtW0OEfvaMoO8JgCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/Ashen%2BHigh%2BRez%2BCover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1446" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JRiMnIb74Kw/XxGmsh2O85I/AAAAAAAACDE/X1dvr-lfHTUMglVnAiLtW0OEfvaMoO8JgCPcBGAYYCw/s320/Ashen%2BHigh%2BRez%2BCover.jpg" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Ashen by H.L. Burke</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Genre: YA Fantasy/Cinderella Retelling</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Release Date: September 22 2020</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Uncommon Universes Press</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54343688-ashen" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="45" data-original-width="134" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--a3qBDvLFLI/VgL34iuERjI/AAAAAAAAAbc/3y-5CVI1Au4qkx0oI6DTexVcGjukPBG9gCPcBGAYYCw/s0/add-to-goodreads-button.png" /></a></div><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span interview="" span="" style="font-family: "indie flower";"><b>About the Author</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zurpRjZQP3E/XxGphlZC5hI/AAAAAAAACDM/8Fcsw8GNB-QqUEbziMvmu4lqmZP3_u-0gCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/H.L.%2BBurke%2BAuthor%2BPhoto.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="133" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zurpRjZQP3E/XxGphlZC5hI/AAAAAAAACDM/8Fcsw8GNB-QqUEbziMvmu4lqmZP3_u-0gCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/H.L.%2BBurke%2BAuthor%2BPhoto.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Born in a small town in north central Oregon, H. L. Burke spent most of her childhood around trees and farm animals and was always accompanied by a book. Growing up with epic heroes from Middle Earth and Narnia keeping her company, she also became an incurable romantic. Her obsessions include dragons and tales about inner beauty and character overcoming extreme circumstances. Married to her high school crush who is now a US Marine, she has moved multiple times in her adult life but believes that home is wherever her husband, two daughters, and pets are.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><u>Social media links</u></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://twitter.com/hlburkewriter" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hlburkewriter/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/burkesdragons/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://app.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/f6o2i8" target="_blank">Email Newsletter</a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div><span interview="" span="" style="font-family: "indie flower";"><font size="5">Met By Midnight</font></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div>An outcast prince. A captive healer. A single night that changes their destinies.</div><div><br /></div><div>She lives a nightmare.</div><div><br /></div><div>As a Mender, Renna is held captive to an endless cycle of receiving and recovering from the physical ailments of others—a cycle that led her mother to an early grave. When her father becomes deathly ill, Renna is desperate to save her only remaining family. Even if it means allying with criminals and taking an illegal mission into the royal palace on the night of their greatest ball.</div><div><br /></div><div>He’s haunted by dreams.</div><div><br /></div><div>Unable to be Mended, Prince Jaric’s existence is a curse to his family’s façade of health and security. Marrying him off at the ball and sending him to a distant barony is the royal solution—but Jaric has his own plans. For years he’s dreamed of a young woman, a strong-hearted Mender he would give everything for. When she arrives the night of his betrothal, he’s determined to discover her true identity.</div><div><br /></div><div>Met by midnight, their fates are entwined.</div><div><br /></div><div>While escape seems the only answer, powerful forces conspire to keep Renna and Jaric within their cages. Forces that undermine the foundations of the kingdom itself—and threaten any hope of a future together.</div><div><br /></div><div>This YA romance features Cinderella in an original fantasy world with a dystopian twist.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Aaw9P2E9SIs/XxGqFbxWsuI/AAAAAAAACDU/EXGQEqQTmMkZ1w_4MathGksSLd8BNnKeQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Met%2BBy%2BMidnight%2BHigh%2BRez%2BCover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Aaw9P2E9SIs/XxGqFbxWsuI/AAAAAAAACDU/EXGQEqQTmMkZ1w_4MathGksSLd8BNnKeQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Met%2BBy%2BMidnight%2BHigh%2BRez%2BCover.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>Met By Midnight</b></div><div><b>by Jeneen Ippolito</b></div><div><b>Genre: YA Fantasy/Cinderella Retelling</b></div><div><b>Release Date: September 22nd 2020</b></div><div><b>Uncommon Universes Press</b></div></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54343721-met-by-midnight?" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="45" data-original-width="134" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--a3qBDvLFLI/VgL34iuERjI/AAAAAAAAAbc/3y-5CVI1Au4qkx0oI6DTexVcGjukPBG9gCPcBGAYYCw/s0/add-to-goodreads-button.png" /></a></div><b><br /></b></div><div><br /></div><div><span interview="" span="" style="font-family: "indie flower";"><b>About the Author</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cGu35t0-fCE/XxGqLvILZpI/AAAAAAAACDY/upThwsJpisQziLigN-1ItGBoQwaYEkJjwCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/Janeen%2BIppolito%2BHeadshot.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="133" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cGu35t0-fCE/XxGqLvILZpI/AAAAAAAACDY/upThwsJpisQziLigN-1ItGBoQwaYEkJjwCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Janeen%2BIppolito%2BHeadshot.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Janeen Ippolito believes in Jesus, true love, and the power of your unique words. She's a bestselling author of speculative fiction, writing resources, and poetry. She's also an editor, author coach, marketing strategist, and the president of Uncommon Universes Press. When she's not immersed in the geektastic world of words, she's helping her husband with his youth swordfighting ministry, exploring a slew of random hobbies, and posting up cute animal videos on social media. This extroverted writer loves to connect, so find her on Facebook, Instagram, and her website janeenippolito.com</div><div><br /></div><div><u>Social media links</u></div><div><a href="https://twitter.com/JaneenIppolito " target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/janeenippolitounique/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/janeen_ippolito/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.subscribepage.com/getmyfictionchapters" target="_blank">Email Newsletter</a> </div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://yaboundbooktours.blogspot.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="198" data-original-width="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jP6g6zq4YlE/VgMDH7TYf-I/AAAAAAAAAcM/M9ygvm6hBnk2E25VaV6Fd28grXFA8TYHQCPcBGAYYCw/s0/YA%2BBound%2BBook%2BTours.png" /></a></div><div><br /></div>MikaylaGrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11710084738288925021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083545929548366658.post-49562685103770401492020-06-04T15:43:00.001-07:002020-06-04T15:43:29.302-07:00The Girl Who Would Be King<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xMQSoEw33TM/Va_PhfLIGeI/AAAAAAAAAIs/YsTFTPbexQ8EJEyPWdvw_Py9ZflFeu0ZgCK4BGAsYHg/s1500/Fancypants%2Bbanner%2B-%2BCopy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="1500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xMQSoEw33TM/Va_PhfLIGeI/AAAAAAAAAIs/YsTFTPbexQ8EJEyPWdvw_Py9ZflFeu0ZgCK4BGAsYHg/s320/Fancypants%2Bbanner%2B-%2BCopy.png" width="320" /></a></div><div> </div><div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x5BgZ9nPJ4Q/VavFK7JlGkI/AAAAAAAAAGk/XEbPf_Xi_Xk/s1600/The-Girl-Who-Would-Be-King-Cover.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Girl Who Would Be King" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x5BgZ9nPJ4Q/VavFK7JlGkI/AAAAAAAAAGk/XEbPf_Xi_Xk/s320/The-Girl-Who-Would-Be-King-Cover.jpg" title="The Girl Who Would Be King" /></a></div>
Newsflash; I am in love with this book!<br />
<br />
After reading good things about The Girl Who Would Be King by Kelly Thompson while setting up my blog, I picked it for my second review, expecting to take a week or so to read and review it properly. Instead, I stayed up until the early hours of the morning reading because I simply could not put it down. It’s that good!<br />
<br />
Featuring a pair of kickass female leads, TGWWBK tells the story of teenagers Bonnie Braverman and Lola LeFever, both gifted with god-like superpowers on the event of their mother’s deaths. While Bonnie is driven to help and protect, Lola is set on death and destruction. Drawn to each other by destiny and a history which goes far beyond the two of them, the two girls take very different paths with their powers, paths which collide in spectacular style in the lead up to the inevitable confrontation.
<br />
<br />
Dual protagonist novels are notoriously difficult to write and usually difficult to read without the temptation to skip pages. But to call TGWWBK a dual protagonist novel would be untrue. What Thompson has done is even trickier; tell two interwoven stories through the eyes of a protagonist and an antagonist. The story itself may not be ground breaking - it’s your classic good vs evil, with a helping of “teenager with magical powers” thrown in - but the characters of Bonnie and Lola are what makes this book come alive. Relatable even when they’re punching helicopters out of the sky or setting their broken bones, both girls are damn near close to character perfection. The inner dialogue and first person point of view storytelling paints each character with her own vivid personality, there’s certainly no danger that you’ll forget which character you’re reading! Thompson is a truly gifted author (one who makes me positively green with envy!) who does a fantastic job of writing in two distinct voices. There are symbols to tell you which girl is narrating, but you likely won’t need them. The care that's gone into creating these girls as three dimensional characters, rather than just "skins" that the reader can slip into to experience the story, is clear to see. There's also some fantastic artwork online which is worth checking out.<br />
<br />
As with all novels that feature more than one lead character, it’s hard not to play favourites, but whether you lean towards good or evil, this book has you covered. Bonnie is your more traditional YA novel heroine. Her gift is her curse, and she takes a while to accept what she is and decide to use her powers for good. She’s introverted and guarded, but ultimately kind and selfless, rising up to become what she was born to be. Maybe it says something about me though that my favourite character was Lola. Hand on heart, I found her to be one of the finest characters to come out of YA lit in a long time. She begins the book by killing her own mother for her powers, then driving off to Vegas on a motorcycle with a black cat suit and a vague plan to set up an underworld empire. She’s twisted, she’s evil and she’s seriously screwed up, but good lord is she fun to read! Brutally honest (as well as downright brutal) and utterly clueless at times, she’s like a comic book supervillain who grew up in Hollywood, and her descent into madness is utterly riveting. If the book had one flaw, it’s that Lola was such a fantastic character that she left Bonnie a little in the shade. I found myself rooting for the bad guy! That’s not to say at all that Bonnie’s chapters left me cold, but they were much more familiar territory for an avid reader of YA books.<br />
<br />
Speaking of which, the book is a little edgier than most YA, with more graphic violence and a sprinkling of PG 13 sex, but that’s just another thing that sets it apart from the rest of the pack. There’s always the risk when setting this type of story in the real world rather than some mythical kingdom far, far away that a fair bit of suspension of disbelief will be required, and this is certainly true of TGWWBK. But the storytelling, and most importantly the characters, are so enthralling that you won’t even notice!<br />
<br />
In summary. Five stars! Loved it, and cannot rate it highly enough! If you like ass kicking female leads, comic book violence, superpowers and an old fashioned good vs evil throw down, then this book is for you. Oh, and if you’re a guy? Please don’t be put off by a female lead, trust me when I say you will not be disappointed by TGWWBK. The only problem is I’ll need to clear my diary when Thompson’s next book comes out. I certainly won’t be getting much sleep!
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j8arYnWV4eU/VavFbvPp5MI/AAAAAAAAAGs/2J0k-diHxMU/s1600/Five%2Bstars.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="65" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j8arYnWV4eU/VavFbvPp5MI/AAAAAAAAAGs/2J0k-diHxMU/s320/Five%2Bstars.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>MikaylaGrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11710084738288925021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083545929548366658.post-83920442771539617222020-05-24T16:14:00.000-07:002020-05-24T16:14:34.063-07:00Siren's Song<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMQSoEw33TM/Va_PhfLIGeI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Eue4PDxQ0CgTKsIRGJ-c1gf_feSlUHtyg/s1600/Fancypants%2Bbanner%2B-%2BCopy.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="116" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMQSoEw33TM/Va_PhfLIGeI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Eue4PDxQ0CgTKsIRGJ-c1gf_feSlUHtyg/s320/Fancypants%2Bbanner%2B-%2BCopy.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ut8m7H5kTNs/VtJEedPibbI/AAAAAAAAA4g/wGz-TuFTukkqwCKAQG3UqYoAA7zdjMYug/s1600/SS.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ut8m7H5kTNs/VtJEedPibbI/AAAAAAAAA4g/wGz-TuFTukkqwCKAQG3UqYoAA7zdjMYug/s320/SS.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
<i>With the loss of Tulla still fresh in mind, Rasha’s fate unknown, and Lord Myles taken over by the dark ability, Nym and the few Bron soldiers rush to warn Cashlin’s queen. As the Luminescents are sifting through Nym’s past memories and the queen is reading into her future, Nym is given a choice of how to defeat Draewulf, but the cost may be more than she can bear. And even then there are no guarantees.<br /><br />With that reality burrowing into her bones - along with the guilt of the lives she will sacrifice - Nym returns to her homeland of Faelen to raise an army of peasants through promises of freedom. But when the few friends she has left, along with the world and citizens she loves, are staring down the face of a monster and his undead army, will Nym summon every element her blood is capable of controlling, or surrender to a different strength - one of sacrifice? Because in the end, death may be more merciful for them all.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
*** I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, but this has in no way influenced this post. Honestly, it doesn't need to, because this book is frickin' amazing!*** <br />
<br />
I had mixed feelings about finally reading the final book in the Storm Siren trilogy. One one hand I was dying to get my hands on an ARC so that I could start it as soon as possible, and when I got approval I almost did a happy dance. <br />
<a href="http://giphy.com/gifs/ross-gellar-ZQjUvxPYUQ21q"> </a><br />
On the other hand, I didn't want to read it for two reasons. One, I've loved this series and these characters so much that I don't ever want it to end. And two, I wasn't sure my fragile constitution could take the ending I was fearing.<br />
<br />
My fears were unfounded. This book, this series, is absolutely incredible. If you're thinking about maybe, possibly at some point checking it out ... please, please, please do it! I'm lucky to read a lot of books. Most I like, some I love, and others are ok. And then there's that one book that you can't stop raving about. The one that you want to give 10 stars to even though your rating only goes up to five. Books and series that make you remember why you read. Siren's Song is one of those books, and the Storm Siren trilogy is one of those series.<br />
<br />
After narrowly escaping Draewulf at Tulla, Nym and her allies race to build an army to stop him before he can absorb the five bloodlines of the Hidden Lands and claim infinite power and immortality. From the crystal castle of Cashlin with its mind-reading Luminescents to the dreamy Valley of Origin with its dirt poor peasant farmers, every land, every character is lushly imagined and realised. I've loved the idea of five kingdoms with five powers in this series, each land and its people unique. Where Cashlin and even Faelen have gotten a bit of a short shrift until now, this is well and truly remedied here. This in one of my ultimate favourite fantasy worlds! It wasn't entirely perfect, there was one aspect of the story that kept bothering me by rearing its head time and time again. It seems unlikely that the king of Faelen would offer to step aside so
easily for a seventeen year old girl with zero political experience, even if she is an Elemental. We're told that the throne of Faelen is Nym's birthright
because she's the last Elemental, but there's no suggestion that her
father was royal and her mother was a mortal, so does that mean anyone
with the magic of a kingdom can be in line for its throne? If Colin had
been the last Terrene, would he have been handed the crown of Tulla? Are
all the Luminescents lining the crystal palace of Cashlin somewhere in
line to inherit it? It's a frustratingly fuzzy logic in such a vividly
painted world. But it's a minor quibble in an otherwise epic story.<br />
<br />
As for the characters ... oh the characters! After spending much of the second book under Draewulf's control, I was so glad to have Eogan back! He may be the king of Bron rather than a humble trainer like he was in book one, but he's still the same wonderful character he was in Storm Siren, the same perfect contrast. His fledgling relationship with Nym against the backdrop of an approaching war that neither are sure they can win is just beautiful. I have to admit I prefer my romances with a little more action and a little less restraint, but it works perfectly in this story. With Rasha missing for a big chunk of the book, it's left to Nym's ragtag group of soldiers to fill the gap in the friendship department. They don't quite manage it, most are fairly interchangeable and nameless, although seven year old Kel is just adorable! I do kind of miss the deliciously slimey Lord Myles too! There's something to be said for the bad guy turned good, but I loved him as the secondary villain in book one!<br />
<br />
And then there's Nym. I love her so much! She's the heart and soul of this book, this series, and the journey she's been on from the opening of Storm Siren to the end of Siren's Song is beautiful, heartbreaking and enthralling. The story's central themes of choice and freedom play out through her. After everything's she's been through she'd be totally within her rights to run away and hide, leaving the people who've shunned her to face Draewulf alone, but it's a testament to the strength of the story that you believe that she would stay and fight, that perfect strangers would flock to her banner and that maybe, just maybe, this is a fight she can win. She's a perfectly imperfect character and I'm genuinely so disappointed that I won't get to read any more of her adventures now that this series has ended.<br />
<br />
The story itself is fairly standard. In the face of an approaching army that gets bigger and stronger at every turn, Nym is left to rally what's left of the Hidden Lands' nobility and their people under a promise of freedom. But somehow, even though I've read that story what seems like a million times, this time it feels brand new. There's a bit of an overload of prophecy and half-revelations - honestly, this book would clock in at about 10 chapters if characters
just said what they knew instead of spouting crytic talk and giving no
answers! - but there's something about Mary Weber's writing and the incredibly vivid characters that makes everything feel unique to this series. <br />
<br />
I won't spoil the ending, but suffice to say I feel like I've been on an emotional rollercoaster reading this book, and I loved every minute of it. The final chapters in particular are a breathtaking whirlwind where storms rain down upon wraiths, mirages flutter across the battlefield, bombs drop from airships ... it has the potential to be a horribly confusing mess. But instead, it's utterly brilliant. If I was being nitpicky, I'd raise an eyebrow at the convenient powers and plot points that show up in the final act. But honestly, I loved this book too much to care! The conclusion is beautifully fitting, and I'll say no more because once I start raving I won't be able to stop.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<a href="http://giphy.com/gifs/community-troy-barnes-donald-glover-kojJ5hf9DluM0"></a>I never thought I'd find a fantasy trilogy I loved as much as Laini Taylor's Daughter Of Smoke And Bone, but I have found my new favourite series. I want to shout about Storm Siren from the rooftops, but my neighbours might think I'm crazy and call the police. Instead I'll have to make do with raving online, because this series is awesome. It's imaginative, it's gripping and it's up there with some of the best YA fantasy I've ever read. I can't recommend this book highly enough!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j8arYnWV4eU/VavFbvPp5MI/AAAAAAAAAGw/crYxR7vTtF013qh0Gm8X8qTgP9hNlUzZg/s1600/Five%2Bstars.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="65" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j8arYnWV4eU/VavFbvPp5MI/AAAAAAAAAGw/crYxR7vTtF013qh0Gm8X8qTgP9hNlUzZg/s320/Five%2Bstars.png" width="320" /></a></div>
MikaylaGrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11710084738288925021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083545929548366658.post-7761150613893205972018-12-10T15:02:00.000-08:002018-12-10T15:03:37.102-08:00Paper Girl - Blog Tour<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YiEniBTq0Q0/XA7lBN3PqVI/AAAAAAAAB7E/gYO8IjVaFIkDb7Po0HFec5kPh9CjWUHpQCLcBGAs/s1600/cIF-kWDA.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="850" height="236" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YiEniBTq0Q0/XA7lBN3PqVI/AAAAAAAAB7E/gYO8IjVaFIkDb7Po0HFec5kPh9CjWUHpQCLcBGAs/s640/cIF-kWDA.jpeg" width="540" /></a></div>
<br />
I haven’t left my house in over a year. My doctor says it’s social anxiety, but I know the only things that are safe are made of paper. My room is paper. My world is paper. Everything outside is fire. All it would take is one spark for me to burst into flames. So I stay inside. Where nothing can touch me. Then my mom hire a tutor. Jackson. This boy I had a crush on before the world became too terrifying to live in.<br />
<br />
Jackson’s life is the complete opposite of mine, and I can tell he’s got secrets of his own. But he makes me feel things. Makes me want to try again. Makes me want to be brave. I can almost taste the outside world. But so many things could go wrong, and all it takes is one spark for everything I love to disappear...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PFhQBdUHj60/XA7p-OSZMqI/AAAAAAAAB7Q/pzlllttJyOAEzp7rNNl_Vuck7jRfF1sjQCLcBGAs/s1600/d8lvFLcg.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="248" data-original-width="248" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PFhQBdUHj60/XA7p-OSZMqI/AAAAAAAAB7Q/pzlllttJyOAEzp7rNNl_Vuck7jRfF1sjQCLcBGAs/s1600/d8lvFLcg.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="375">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hashtag"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Unresolved Mention"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 1pt none; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0cm;">About the
Author</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="border: none 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; padding: 0cm;">Cindy lives at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, and loves
using Colorado towns and cities as inspiration for settings in her stories.
She's the mother of three girls, who provide plenty of fodder for her YA
novels. Cindy writes speculative fiction and YA fiction, filled with a healthy
dose of romance. You'll often find her hiking or listening to any number of playlists
while she comes up with her next story idea. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #666666; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Author Links:</span></b></div>
<u><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0563c1; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://cindyrwilson.com/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Website</span></a></span></u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">│<u><span style="color: #0563c1;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5363846.Cindy_R_Wilson"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Goodreads</span></a></span></u>│<u><span style="color: #0563c1;"><a href="https://twitter.com/CindyRWilson"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Twitter</span></a></span></u>│<u><span style="color: #0563c1;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCindyRWilson/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Facebook</span></a></span></u></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><u><span style="color: #0563c1;"><span style="color: #0563c1;"></span></span></u></span><br />
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="1cb554951296" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1cb554951296/" id="rcwidget_lons59of" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMQSoEw33TM/Va_PhfLIGeI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Oy2p9DGeu-geYdeQrifGqvePgat_czyXACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Fancypants%2Bbanner%2B-%2BCopy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="1500" height="116" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMQSoEw33TM/Va_PhfLIGeI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Oy2p9DGeu-geYdeQrifGqvePgat_czyXACPcBGAYYCw/s320/Fancypants%2Bbanner%2B-%2BCopy.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Paper Girl was a sweet, beautifully written story. Zoe suffers from severe agoraphobic anxiety and hasn't left her family home in a year. Jackson is homeless despite his high flying public persona. The two interact in their mutual escape of online chess and their virtual and real world collide when Zoe's mum hires Jackson to be here tutor. It might sound twee and more than a little cliched, but you'll be so swept up in Zoe's paper world that you won't hold it against the book.<br />
<br />
The descriptions of Zoe's paper world were awe-inspiring. It was an interesting touch for her character - I would pay money to see that paper galaxy! - and I absolutely loved the chapters of her online chats with Jackson. Neither knows who they're speaking to so they're free to be as honest and open as they like which made for a nice contrast as the two gradually opened up to each other. I did enjoy Jackson's chapters a little more than Zoe's though, simply because I've read plenty of contemporary YA books from the pov of a female character suffering from mental health issues, but far less from the pov of a male character experiencing homelessness. <br />
<br />
It was nice to read a book where the author didn't go for a "love cures mental illness" cop-out which is what I was fearing. Zoe herself does plenty of hard work with her therapist to overcome her fears and take her first steps towards normality and the book is refreshingly pro-therapy. There's no quick win or big revelation that causes Zoe to suddenly "get over" her issues; mental health recovery takes times and hard work and Paper Girl doesn't shy away from that fact. That said, Zoe's recovery was more than a little rushed and she was seemingly comfortable in situations that would give a person without agoraphobia anxiety. Still, the author had a story to tell and struck a pretty good balance between realism and storytelling.<br />
<br />
Paper Girl is a strong debut - with an absolutely gorgeous cover! - and a must-read for fans of contemporary YA.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mK4CXLUK3J8/VapyKCkxUsI/AAAAAAAAAFg/gO3rjo55NN4bYPEETSfmsPMP0qD19zQcwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Four%2Bstars.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="134" data-original-width="524" height="81" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mK4CXLUK3J8/VapyKCkxUsI/AAAAAAAAAFg/gO3rjo55NN4bYPEETSfmsPMP0qD19zQcwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/Four%2Bstars.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
MikaylaGrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11710084738288925021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083545929548366658.post-83749295534812532862018-09-12T15:47:00.000-07:002018-09-12T15:47:26.952-07:00Author Interview - Helen ScheuererTo celebrate the release of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07H7997S9" target="_blank">Reign of Mist</a>, book two of the Oremere Chronicles, I chat to author Helen Scheuerer about her writing process, favourite authors and dealing with bad reviews.<br />
<br />
<b><span interview="" span="" style="font-family: "indie flower";">The Book</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uyAqwcFoaVc/W10StxJj5wI/AAAAAAAAB5o/2mfBCgoB5q8BhLP3xCSaOPVOXCfB_S-ZQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/RoM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="307" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uyAqwcFoaVc/W10StxJj5wI/AAAAAAAAB5o/2mfBCgoB5q8BhLP3xCSaOPVOXCfB_S-ZQCPcBGAYYCw/s320/RoM.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
<span id="freeText12612999126333856263">The realm’s darkest secret is out.<br /><br />The cruelty of the capital and the power-hungry King Arden have scattered Bleak and her companions across the continents. On
the run in a foreign land, Bleak finds herself tied to some unexpected
strangers. When the answers she yearns for are finally within reach, she
must face the hard truths of her past, and take her fate into her own
hands before it’s too late.<br /><br />Meanwhile, secrets and magic unravel
as a dark power corrupts the realm. Bleak’s friends are forced to decide
where their loyalties lie, and who, if anyone, they can trust.<br /><br />But one thing is certain: war is coming, and they must all be ready when it does.<br /><br />Intriguing
and action-packed, Reign of Mist is the second instalment in Helen
Scheuerer’s epic YA fantasy series, The Oremere Chronicles.</span><br />
<br />
<span id="freeText12612999126333856263">You can read my review of Reign of Mist (spoiler alert; I loved it!) <a href="http://mikaylasbookshelf.blogspot.com/2018/08/reign-of-mist.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </span><br />
<br />
<b><span interview="" span="" style="font-family: "indie flower";">The Interview</span></b><br />
<br />
<b>A lot of series’ suffer from “second book syndrome” which you seem to have avoided! How hard was it writing this book compared to Heart of Mist?</b><br />
<br />
It feels surreal looking back on the challenges of writing the second book now… At the start, I thought it was going to be easier; I knew the world, I knew the characters far better than I had before starting Heart of Mist. However, after the first draft, I started working with my beta readers and realised just how much work there still was to go. I’m so so lucky that I got such honest feedback from my betas because the book wasn’t nearly ready for publication. It definitely suffered from second book syndrome at one point! With my betas’ suggestions and encouragement, it took another six months at least to rework the manuscript. It felt much harder to finish than the first book!<br />
<br />
<b>If you could go back in time and give your past self one piece of advice before starting the series, what would it be?</b><br />
<br />
Haha, hindsight it such a bitter sweet thing! For me, I always thought I had planned the series quite well. Turns out, I hadn’t even scratched the surface. I wish I had of taken more time before putting pen to paper to plot not only the first book, but all three. Writing the second, and now third book, has been an exercise in problem solving thanks to my lack of extensive plotting!<br />
<br />
<b>Putting your book out in the public domain must be pretty daunting. How do you deal with the reactions to your book, either positive or negative?</b><br />
<br />
Ahhh… Honestly? It really depends what day you ask me. I like to think that I’ve developed a thick skin over the years, but some days you can feel more fragile than others. Daunting is definitely the right word there.<br />
<br />
It’s always wonderful to receive a good review - there’s nothing that brightens my day more than that. As for the bad… Most of the time I try to either a) take feedback on board, some reviewers are constructive in their critiques! or b) laugh it off, or c) don’t read them at all!<br />
<br />
<b>Your cast of characters is getting pretty long and your world map must be huge! How do you keep track of everything and everyone when you’re writing?</b><br />
<br />
Haha, don’t remind me! When I started writing Heart of Mist I just had a list of characters and where they were from. Nowadays… You’re absolutely right, the cast just keeps growing. Now I have spreadsheets to keep track of names, origins, who they’re related to, who they’re friends with and any physically distinctive traits like scars and unusual eye colours.<br />
<br />
<b>Who’s your favourite character in RoM to write and who’s your favourite character to read?</b><br />
<br />
Ohhhhh that’s a great (and difficult) question! This is another one that really depends on the mood, as well as the extent of the plan I’m working off, but… I actually quite like writing from Swinton’s point of view. I love writing the banter between him and Fi :)<br />
<br />
As for my favourite to read… I do love Olena. She’s underestimated by all those around her (except Dash) but then she comes out with these burns that leave everyone in shock… I love those quiet girl-power moments.<br />
<br />
<b>What are some of your favourite fantasy books or series when you’re taking a break from writing?</b><br />
<br />
I love a bit of SJM (Sarah J. Maas). She’s my guilty pleasure author. Hot fae guys, kickass action and all the sass in the world. Her books are the perfect escape material.<br />
<br />
I also love V.E. Schwab’s Darker Shade of Magic trilogy and Sabaa Tahir’s An Ember in the Ashes. Authors like them leave me in absolute awe at the depth of their characterisation and worldbuilding. Their books are definitely something to aspire to.<br />
<br />
<b>Where’s the strangest place writing inspiration has struck you?</b><br />
<br />
Generally if I’m feeling stuck on a particular scene or plot point, and am feeling quite frustrated about things, inspiration tends to strike when I’m doing something mundane, like doing the dishes or cleaning the apartment. Actually just this morning I had a bit of a plot breakthrough while I was refilling the soap dispensers…<br />
<br />
<b>What’s the best and worst part of writing a book?</b><br />
<br />
There are so many highs and lows when you’re writing a book, which makes this question really hard to answer. I think for me, particularly being an indie author, one of the worst (or hardest) parts of the process is finally deciding when the book is ready. As I’ve mentioned, I work with a great team of beta readers, but at the end of the day, the one who draws the line in the sand and says the book is finished and ready for readers is me. I find that incredibly daunting. <br />
<br />
As for the best part of writing a book? The days when your imagination is soaring and your fingers are flying across the keyboard… There’s absolutely nothing better than that feeling. The feeling of having created, of worked hard and having something to show for it at the end of the day.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>I know you won’t leave us on that ending! What’s next for the Oremere Chronicles?</b><br />
<br />
Haha, I do love a good cliffhanger! Well to be honest, all I can really say without spoiling things is that the third and final book will be out in 2019. <br />
<br />
I’ve also been publishing prequel e-shorts to the series, there are currently six available for free. Readers can sign up here to receive them. The plan is to publish three more in before the third book is released, so readers can still get their Oremere fix ;)<br />
<br />
<b>Sum up Reign of Mist in ten words or less.</b><br />
Action-packed, intriguing, suspenseful and addictive (hopefully!).<br />
<br />
Reign of Mist is <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07H7997S9" target="_blank">on sale now</a>! <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span interview="" span="" style="font-family: "indie flower";">The Author</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WBUXagtHXIM/WXUIZnIk5cI/AAAAAAAABrc/aRkJN3ly9JAW0LaDdT95zZ-S0_kFrMDpACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/_62A2636_2%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WBUXagtHXIM/WXUIZnIk5cI/AAAAAAAABrc/aRkJN3ly9JAW0LaDdT95zZ-S0_kFrMDpACPcBGAYYCw/s320/_62A2636_2%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Helen Scheuerer is a novelist from Sydney, Australia, and the Founding Editor of Writer's Edit. She has university degrees in both creative writing and publishing. Her #1 bestselling YA fantasy novel, Heart of Mist is available now. She is a full-time author living by the beach.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://helenscheuerer.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/helenscheuererauthor" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/HelenScheuerer" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/helenscheuerer" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://writersedit.com/" target="_blank">Writer's Edit</a> </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span interview="" span="" style="font-family: "indie flower";">The Prequels</span></b></div>
<br />
There are six (yep, six!) free (also yep, free!) prequel novellas available <a href="https://bit.ly/2GLxVdf" target="_blank">which you can get from Helen's website</a>. Happy reading!<br />
<br />MikaylaGrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11710084738288925021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083545929548366658.post-34006533322411242972018-08-20T15:58:00.000-07:002018-08-20T15:58:59.921-07:00Ash Princess<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMQSoEw33TM/Va_PhfLIGeI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Oy2p9DGeu-geYdeQrifGqvePgat_czyXACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Fancypants%2Bbanner%2B-%2BCopy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="1500" height="116" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMQSoEw33TM/Va_PhfLIGeI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Oy2p9DGeu-geYdeQrifGqvePgat_czyXACPcBGAYYCw/s320/Fancypants%2Bbanner%2B-%2BCopy.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RahPeT54YmM/W10QZEliM2I/AAAAAAAAB5Y/m-OeGG7VtwADL9tOIESzzwmg3YAKHPbQwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Ash%2BPrincess.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RahPeT54YmM/W10QZEliM2I/AAAAAAAAB5Y/m-OeGG7VtwADL9tOIESzzwmg3YAKHPbQwCEwYBhgL/s320/Ash%2BPrincess.jpg" width="211" /></a><i><span id="freeText15876211601126889596">Theodosia was six when
her country was invaded and her mother, the Fire Queen, was murdered
before her eyes. On that day, the Kaiser took Theodosia's family, her
land, and her name. Theo was crowned Ash Princess--a title of shame to
bear in her new life as a prisoner.<br /><br />For ten years Theo has been a
captive in her own palace. She's endured the relentless abuse and
ridicule of the Kaiser and his court. She is powerless, surviving in her
new world only by burying the girl she was deep inside.<br /><br />Then,
one night, the Kaiser forces her to do the unthinkable. With blood on
her hands and all hope of reclaiming her throne lost, she realizes that
surviving is no longer enough. But she does have a weapon: her mind is
sharper than any sword. And power isn't always won on the battlefield.<br /><br />For ten years, the Ash Princess has seen her land pillaged and her people enslaved. That all ends here.</span></i><br />
<br />
<span id="freeText15876211601126889596"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:RelyOnVML/>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="375">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hashtag"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Unresolved Mention"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
</span><span id="freeText15876211601126889596"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve read this book before. So have you. It may have been
called something else but the pieces are all here. The heir to a fallen throne,
her people in hiding/slavery. The evil overlord king who took said throne. A
secret rebel in the heart of her enemy’s stronghold. The childhood friend and
hot newcomer/prince love triangle. Vague magic. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
I had the exact same problem with Frostblood, Snow Like Ashes and Red Queen. The author seemed so busy trying to cram every cliche in the YA playbook into her story that the story itself fell short. Every box is ticked but it all feels obligatory, not organic. The characters do the "right" things and spout the "right" dialogue, but they're dull and lifeless. The world and history is standard fantasy fare, but it feels sketched not shaded. The plot takes you from A to B, but there are no surprises along the way. I guess I can't lambast an author writing in a genre for sticking to the "rules" of that genre too closely, but it would be nice to read something new.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="271" src="https://giphy.com/embed/Mp3y4McLBLA1W" width="480"></iframe></div>
<br />
<span id="freeText15876211601126889596"></span><span id="freeText15876211601126889596"></span><span id="freeText15876211601126889596">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span id="freeText15876211601126889596">The story wasn’t engaging. There was some potential in the
Kaiser keeping Thora as a political prisoner and taking her people’s rebellions
out her, but aside from a few mentions this was pretty much glossed over. I’m
not saying I wanted to read torture scenes reminiscent of a Saw movie, but this
thread was one of the few things this book had going for it to differentiate it
from the YA pack, so I was disappointed that it only garnered a few mentions
and a fade to black. I mean, if the point was to show Thora’s people that their
rightful queen has been reduced to nothing more than a subservient slave, being
punished every time they stepped out of line, why do her punishments all seem
to take place behind closed doors? Why were her scars only displayed at the Kaiser’s
dinners which were, presumably, occasions where his allies would be present? It
felt like a suitably twisted idea, but the execution was fumbled when that idea
ended up on the pages.</span></div>
<span id="freeText15876211601126889596">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span id="freeText15876211601126889596"><br /></span></div>
<span id="freeText15876211601126889596">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span id="freeText15876211601126889596">Thora herself was a hard character to read, which didn’t
help the story click with me. The author flits her between a Stockholm syndrome
afflicted victim to quietly calculating rebel on a whim, which makes it hard to
see her as a believable character. One moment we’re supposed to believe she’s
been conditioned to keep her head down to stay alive, the next we’re being
asked to swallow the idea that she’d plot political assassination behind her
jailor’s back with nothing more than a little prompting from three new guards
who claim to be rebels. It didn’t feel like Thora had much of a character arc
if that side of her had been present, albeit hidden, from page one. Her
painfully telegraphed relationship with the Prince (or Prinz as its spelled in
this book for some reason) Soren lacked any sort of chemistry, and no real
reason is ever given for him being willing to betray his father and his kingdom
for her. Professing love doesn’t cut it for me. I want to hear the banter, see
the sparks and feel the heat, and I got none of those things. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span id="freeText15876211601126889596"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://giphy.com/embed/9Pz62JUZCWo5iNZyld" width="480"><br></iframe></span></div>
<br />
<span id="freeText15876211601126889596">The writing style
felt oddly flat to me. I can’t quite put my finger on why, but it never drew me
in. It never swept me away into the story. Things happen and people say things,
but I always felt like I was watching from a distance. The best books put you
right there with the characters, in that world. Ash Princess didn’t do that for
a single moment. </span></div>
<span id="freeText15876211601126889596">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span id="freeText15876211601126889596"><br /></span></div>
<span id="freeText15876211601126889596">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span id="freeText15876211601126889596">Overall, Ash Princess is fine, and that pretty much sums up
my issue with it. There’s nothing new here, nothing unique or particularly
enthralling. It’s just … ok. It offers everything you’d expect a YA to offer
and nothing more. If you’re looking for a quick and easy read that’s not going
to turn your world upside down then give it a go, but if you want anything more
than that you’d best look elsewhere.<span id="freeText15876211601126889596"></span></span></div>
<span id="freeText15876211601126889596">
</span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xNOhYXjb6P8/VdDJ5Mj8btI/AAAAAAAAASo/OGOemuxzSJs2OhvbcniBaNJBIfD9AnWMgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Two%2Bstars.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="134" data-original-width="263" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xNOhYXjb6P8/VdDJ5Mj8btI/AAAAAAAAASo/OGOemuxzSJs2OhvbcniBaNJBIfD9AnWMgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Two%2Bstars.png" /></a></div>
MikaylaGrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11710084738288925021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083545929548366658.post-52040756096101774612018-08-16T15:43:00.000-07:002018-08-16T15:43:28.818-07:00The Azrael Initiative<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dDyryBafHTg/W2Y1qplf81I/AAAAAAAAB58/h2WXtUs-_2s4OgsWaFl9ny6jqAZ2Tv5TwCLcBGAs/s1600/The%2BAzrael%2BInitiative%2Btour%2Bbanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="650" height="237" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dDyryBafHTg/W2Y1qplf81I/AAAAAAAAB58/h2WXtUs-_2s4OgsWaFl9ny6jqAZ2Tv5TwCLcBGAs/s640/The%2BAzrael%2BInitiative%2Btour%2Bbanner.jpg" width="540" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mu9dIgpN-wc/W2Y2uyEsIdI/AAAAAAAAB6I/RG2bUXnun0408F8EDKZVeXzPLY0188ejwCLcBGAs/s1600/The-Azrael-Initiative-2500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mu9dIgpN-wc/W2Y2uyEsIdI/AAAAAAAAB6I/RG2bUXnun0408F8EDKZVeXzPLY0188ejwCLcBGAs/s320/The-Azrael-Initiative-2500.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
Best friends Kayla Falk, an engineering student, and Olivia Bellamy, who is studying nursing, are nearing the end of their college career when terrorists attack their university. Through a combination of cleverness, bravery, and luck, the two manage to foil the deadly plot. A mysterious man from the United States government, Mr. Hightower, sees their potential and attempts to recruit Kayla and Olivia for a program to take on ISIS. They initially refuse, but another terrorist attack that strikes close to home pushes them to change their minds and join the Azrael Initiative.<br />
<br />
After several months of hard training, the two women are dropped into Al-Raqqah, the capital of ISIS, in Syria. Once there, they must blend in with the locals as they strike from the shadows to kill ISIS leaders, destroy their facilities, and free captives. As Americans deep within enemy territory, they know that they will be killed if discovered. As women, they also know that they would suffer before death. Walking the line between vengeance and justice strains their relationship. As they work to resolve their differences, the symphony of brutality around them ultimately pushes them closer together and forges them into the warriors that they were meant to become.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.khansonbooks.com/first-three-chapters-of-the-azrael-initiative/" target="_blank">Read the first three chapters of The Azrael Initiative.</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMQSoEw33TM/Va_PhfLIGeI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Oy2p9DGeu-geYdeQrifGqvePgat_czyXACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Fancypants%2Bbanner%2B-%2BCopy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="1500" height="116" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMQSoEw33TM/Va_PhfLIGeI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Oy2p9DGeu-geYdeQrifGqvePgat_czyXACPcBGAYYCw/s320/Fancypants%2Bbanner%2B-%2BCopy.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The Azrael Initiative isn't my usual read. I like a bit of fantasy YA and a bit of contemporary YA, but this book falls somewhere in between. It's certainly not fantasy, but it's not exactly contemporary either. Even so, I ended up really enjoying it. The writing style and overly simplistic plot weren't to my tastes (more on that below!) but I loved the strong friendship between Kayla and Olivia that was at the heart of this novel. After a bit of a slow start, the story gets its hooks into you. There are some sections (no spoilers here!) that really hit hard. Both girls are well written and their friendship was the bedrock of the story. Families don't get enough of a look in in a lot of YA books, so the girls' close bond with their families and each others was touching. The book also correctly (imo) posits that family isn't always blood and real family is the people you choose to surround yourself with.<br />
<br />
The author deserves kudos for having the nerve to tackle such a thorny subject. It would have been easier to set the book in an alternate world or create a fictional enemy but he didn't take the easy road and I do admire that. However this caused a bit of an issue for me. Kayla and Olivia are basically recruited as child soliders and trained/brainwashed to blindly attack the enemy they're pointed at. Kind of like ISIS then? The problem is, they're guilty of exactly the same thing they're trying to prevent. Their own overseer outright states that "our agents will work to instill fear in ISIS using any means necessary." So, become terrorsits themselves? Kayla deals with terrorists killing her family by going out and killing terrorists, who presumably have families of their own. It's all very black and white, but this story really would have benefited from some shades of grey. One particular scene in which Kayla brutally stabs a suspected terrorist to death before remarking that people "like him" remind her of the people that killed her family, while straddling his still warm corpse, is staggeringly tone deaf.<br />
<br />
This book definitely would have benefited from a stricter edit. There
are countless surplus paragraphs and information that add nothing to
the story that really should have been cut. On the whole though, this book was an entertaining read. Although the execution of the morally complex story wasn't faultless, I admire the author for not taking the easy road and I absolutely loved the strong female friendship between Kayla and Olivia.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ipLe_HF_ziA/VmNcBWQUgjI/AAAAAAAAArA/vTNWPzb8m4Mv7RPh0hBoNTQub-Y903VtQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/3%2Bhalf%2Bstars.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="134" data-original-width="473" height="90" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ipLe_HF_ziA/VmNcBWQUgjI/AAAAAAAAArA/vTNWPzb8m4Mv7RPh0hBoNTQub-Y903VtQCPcBGAYYCw/s320/3%2Bhalf%2Bstars.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--> <a class="rcptr" data-raflid="9e540ef9498" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9e540ef9498/" id="rcwidget_7gdnw60z" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OQdqzu_5ivE/W2Y3IKuLOSI/AAAAAAAAB6Q/hOegD6tLXgIEMY4fi1P7usOLDtUnD4QuACLcBGAs/s1600/K%2BHanson%2B667x960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="667" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OQdqzu_5ivE/W2Y3IKuLOSI/AAAAAAAAB6Q/hOegD6tLXgIEMY4fi1P7usOLDtUnD4QuACLcBGAs/s200/K%2BHanson%2B667x960.jpg" width="138" /></a></div>
<b>About the Author</b><br />
<br />
K lives in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he works as a software developer. In his spare time, when he isn’t writing, he enjoys reading, working out, playing video games, and spending time with his wonderful fiancee, Bobbi. Some of his favorite authors are Tom Clancy, George R. R. Martin, and Sarah Maas.<br />
<br />
Author Links:<br />
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="375">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hashtag"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Unresolved Mention"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]--><u><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0563c1; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="http://www.khansonbooks.com/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Website</span></a></span></u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">│<u><span style="color: #0563c1;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16149902.K_Hanson"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Goodreads</span></a></span></u>│<u><span style="color: #0563c1;"><a href="https://twitter.com/khansonbooks/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Twitter</span></a></span></u>│<u><span style="color: #0563c1;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/KHansonBooks/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Facebook</span></a></span></u></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1qlQTteI0tA/WOqUMj3Fz8I/AAAAAAAABh8/eBuinVnBBes4r8KKB8QRe4GE5t0bdaaAQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/YA%2BBound%2BTour%2BButton.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="198" data-original-width="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1qlQTteI0tA/WOqUMj3Fz8I/AAAAAAAABh8/eBuinVnBBes4r8KKB8QRe4GE5t0bdaaAQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/YA%2BBound%2BTour%2BButton.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />MikaylaGrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11710084738288925021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083545929548366658.post-12851909350784105842018-08-01T15:41:00.001-07:002018-08-01T15:44:49.990-07:00Reign of Mist<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMQSoEw33TM/Va_PhfLIGeI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Oy2p9DGeu-geYdeQrifGqvePgat_czyXACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Fancypants%2Bbanner%2B-%2BCopy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="1500" height="116" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMQSoEw33TM/Va_PhfLIGeI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Oy2p9DGeu-geYdeQrifGqvePgat_czyXACPcBGAYYCw/s320/Fancypants%2Bbanner%2B-%2BCopy.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uyAqwcFoaVc/W10StxJj5wI/AAAAAAAAB5k/IgZ4IbhuRxcPsOZAcyj3hqQ5nim6a1c_ACLcBGAs/s1600/RoM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="307" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uyAqwcFoaVc/W10StxJj5wI/AAAAAAAAB5k/IgZ4IbhuRxcPsOZAcyj3hqQ5nim6a1c_ACLcBGAs/s320/RoM.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span id="freeText13503000621001740724">The realm’s darkest secret is out. </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span id="freeText13503000621001740724">The cruelty of the capital and the power-hungry King Arden have scattered Bleak and her companions across the continents.<br /><br />On
the run in a foreign land, Bleak finds herself tied to some unexpected
strangers. When the answers she yearns for are finally within reach, she
must face the hard truths of her past, and take her fate into her own
hands before it’s too late.<br /><br />Meanwhile, secrets and magic unravel
as a dark power corrupts the realm. Bleak’s friends are forced to decide
where their loyalties lie, and who, if anyone, they can trust.<br /><br />But one thing is certain: war is coming, and they must all be ready when it does.</span></i><span id="freeText13503000621001740724"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span id="freeText13503000621001740724"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span id="freeText13503000621001740724"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span id="freeText13503000621001740724"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span id="freeText13503000621001740724"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span id="freeText13503000621001740724"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span id="freeText13503000621001740724"><br /></span></div>
Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
I read a lot of YA fantasy debuts last year, but Heart of
Mist was easily one of the best. Would Reign of Mist live up to its
predecessor? Or would it suffer the dreaded sophomore slump? Reign doesn’t meet
the high bar set by Heart, it hurtles over it with room to spare. It has everything I want in a book. <span id="freeText13503000621001740724">I like
believably-written, badass female characters, I like despicable villains
(don't try to change me), I like political intrigue and natural
world-building, and this book has all of those things turned up to 11. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span id="freeText13503000621001740724"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://giphy.com/embed/3YrqNbtfJm77O" width="400"></iframe></span></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span id="freeText13503000621001740724">After the events of the last
book, Bleak and her allies are scattered. Hanging plot threads need to
be tied up and new ones woven in, all the while establishing history,
powers and alliances that would rival an episode of Game of Thrones. </span><span id="freeText13503000621001740724">Helen
Scheurer weaves together multiple povs and casts her
storytelling net wide, bringing together characters and history from all
over
the realm. Just like Heart of Mist, she gets the showing and telling
balance
absolutely perfect. With new characters introduced, history to be
revealed and
secrets brought to light, a less skilled author might have resorted to
pages of
exposition or characters sat around reciting the plot, but not so here. I
couldn’t even pinpoint where I found out about certain characters or
events.
They were woven so naturally into the story that when they became
relevant to
the plot, I already knew everything I needed to without the action
screeching to a halt so one of the characters could exposit key
informaton. The best books do this, and
Reign of Mist does it well.</span><span id="freeText13503000621001740724"> </span><br />
<br />
<span id="freeText13503000621001740724">Henri, my favourite character from book one, gets an even
meatier role this time around. She’s a total badass, complete with leathers and
knives, but the vulnerable side we saw glimpses of in the last book comes to
the fore. I’ll keep this review spoiler free but suffice to say we see plenty
of emotion alongside the bloodletting. In a book of so many fierce women it
would have been easy for some of them to read like clones of each other, but
everyone had their own voice. Each character was clearly shaped by their past
and it showed in every line of dialogue.</span></div>
<span id="freeText13503000621001740724">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span id="freeText13503000621001740724">Bleak’s path in the story may be a tad predictable, but the
author still manages to put a different spin on it thanks to the unique structure
of Oremere’s rulers. Her battle with her addiction to alcohol was one of the
best parts of the last book. Not because I particularly like reading
character’s suffering, but because it was a refreshingly honest look at the
harsh and unpretty reality of drinking yourself into oblivion on a daily basis. </span><span id="freeText13503000621001740724"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span id="freeText13503000621001740724"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="340" src="https://giphy.com/embed/1USKMDPjuH4ovL7J5h" width="400"><br></iframe></span></div>
<span id="freeText13503000621001740724">It would be easy for this plot point to have been discarded after it served its
purpose in HoM, but that doesn’t happen here. I loved Bleak’s character
development and how she fought tooth and nail to stay alive even when she’d
been absolutely battered. Her "will they, won't they" relationship with Bren was superbly handled too. One of the things I love most about Helen Scheurer's stories is that she puts a fresh spin on all the YA tropes she uses and Bleak's complicated back and forth with her salt-of-the-earth childhood friend is no exception. I'll admit, I wasn't sold on these two in book one, but the way they work out in this book is note perfect. Believable and bittersweet.</span><br />
<span id="freeText13503000621001740724"><br /></span></div>
<span id="freeText13503000621001740724">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span id="freeText13503000621001740724">As with any book that deals in multiple povs, there were a
couple I found less than enthralling. Captain Swinton’s were easily my least
favourite. Perhaps because the character is such an uptight buzzkill I didn’t
find much to enjoy in his chapters outside of the plot developments. Although
his chapters did give a glimpse of the adorable couple Olena and Nazuri. Theirs may have been a political match rather than a romantic one, but they were a pairing to rival even my OTP of this series, Henri and Athene.</span><br />
</div>
<span id="freeText13503000621001740724">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span id="freeText13503000621001740724">I won’t spoil the ending except for to say; really Helen
Scherer? You’re going to leave me like this?! HoM ended on one hell of a cliff
hanger and after some breakneck-paced chapters, RoM does the same thing. That
ending though! Just like last time, there are new players in the game, new
threats and whole new worlds that need to be explored. And, just like last
time, I have to wait for them!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j8arYnWV4eU/VavFbvPp5MI/AAAAAAAAAGw/3kQc3DIHTVgVFolI-rKVwI9226dskLnxwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Five%2Bstars.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="135" data-original-width="655" height="65" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j8arYnWV4eU/VavFbvPp5MI/AAAAAAAAAGw/3kQc3DIHTVgVFolI-rKVwI9226dskLnxwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/Five%2Bstars.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span id="freeText13503000621001740724"></span><br />
<span id="freeText13503000621001740724"><span id="freeText13503000621001740724"></span></span></div>
<span id="freeText13503000621001740724">
</span>MikaylaGrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11710084738288925021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083545929548366658.post-24570433779064766712018-07-27T14:33:00.000-07:002018-07-27T14:33:43.809-07:00Glass Sword<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMQSoEw33TM/Va_PhfLIGeI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Oy2p9DGeu-geYdeQrifGqvePgat_czyXACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Fancypants%2Bbanner%2B-%2BCopy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="1500" height="116" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMQSoEw33TM/Va_PhfLIGeI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Oy2p9DGeu-geYdeQrifGqvePgat_czyXACPcBGAYYCw/s320/Fancypants%2Bbanner%2B-%2BCopy.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ssY4NYlhiZc/W1uM2CZO2TI/AAAAAAAAB5M/cFbnWXmDia0hsZewZTz8h1XR1o_dSU2TwCLcBGAs/s1600/GS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ssY4NYlhiZc/W1uM2CZO2TI/AAAAAAAAB5M/cFbnWXmDia0hsZewZTz8h1XR1o_dSU2TwCLcBGAs/s320/GS.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span id="freeText868774807447929392"><i>Mare
Barrow’s blood is red—the color of common folk—but her Silver ability,
the power to control lightning, has turned her into a weapon that the
royal court tries to control. The crown calls her an
impossibility, a fake, but as she makes her escape from Maven, the
prince—the friend—who betrayed her, Mare uncovers something startling:
she is not the only one of her kind.<br /><br />Pursued by Maven, now a
vindictive king, Mare sets out to find and recruit other Red-and-Silver
fighters to join in the struggle against her oppressors. But Mare finds herself on a deadly path, at risk of becoming exactly the kind of monster she is trying to defeat. Will
she shatter under the weight of the lives that are the cost of
rebellion? Or have treachery and betrayal hardened her forever?<br /><br />The
electrifying next installment in the Red Queen series escalates the
struggle between the growing rebel army and the blood-segregated world
they’ve always known—and pits Mare against the darkness that has grown
in her soul.</i></span></div>
<br />
DNF 40% <br />
<br />
After Red Queen left me equal parts disappointed (by the
lack of originality) and incredulous (also at the lack of originality), I
should have handed this series back to the person who passed it to me like some
sort of ancient curse. However, needs must when you’re staying in a remote
cabin with no wi-fi and five tv channels, so I decided to give book two a
crack. Hey, it could only be up from the bottom, right?<br />
<br />
Wrong.<br />
<br />
Christ on a bike, where to start with this book? I – and I’m
sure many others – noted the … *ahem* similarities to The Hunger Games in Red
Queen. Perhaps I was just still in that mindset, but opening this book with our
recently rescued heroine and the rebellion fleeing from the powers that be,
complete with bomb-dropping fighter jets and a desperate flee through a city
that was long thought abandoned due to nuclear radiation? Seriously!? Just like
the fact there are only so many chords some songs are going to sound the same,
I get that there only so many plot points and some books are going to have
similar elements. But when there are so many scenes that feel like they were
cut and pasted from one book to another I can’t get then get fully engaged with
a story because half my mind is thinking about another one.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
What I read of the plot of Glass Sword was all but
non-existent. Mare and her allies search Norta etc for other so-called New
Bloods. They find one, we get a brief intro of their powers like that god-awful
scene in X-Men 3 where Mystique literally reads character bios to Magneto, then
they move on while trying to avoid Maven’s forces. That … seemed to be it. Oh,
aside from Mare’s constant sulking and brooding of course. And her painfully
contrived insistence on referring to herself as the Lightning Girl every five
seconds. If Red Queen’s drinking games – Hunger Games rip-offs and YA tropes –
could have killed you through alcohol poisoning, just imagine taking a drink
every time the words “Lightning Girl” cursed the pages.<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As with Red Queen, this book may be derivative and
predictable but it also incredibly well written. I don’t care for the story or
the characters (in case my reviews didn’t make that clear!) but I’d be tempted
to pick up something else written by this author because, if the plot was more
original, I imagine she can tell one hell of a story.<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eventually though, when it became clear that all my issues
with Red Queen were still present and correct in the sequel, I gave up and
binned off books three and four. I don’t know why I expected this one to be any
better than its predecessor, but I have no one to blame but myself for wasting
my time on it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lkDxDyI27MQ/VbNu5wTeIWI/AAAAAAAAAK8/mC3wzeQYyfYRxVOGsNcCPP3tWcKWd8xSwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/One%2Bstar%2B2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="263" data-original-width="263" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lkDxDyI27MQ/VbNu5wTeIWI/AAAAAAAAAK8/mC3wzeQYyfYRxVOGsNcCPP3tWcKWd8xSwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/One%2Bstar%2B2.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />MikaylaGrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11710084738288925021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083545929548366658.post-37364949189636219072018-07-22T13:56:00.000-07:002018-07-25T15:30:28.670-07:00Red Queen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMQSoEw33TM/Va_PhfLIGeI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Oy2p9DGeu-geYdeQrifGqvePgat_czyXACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Fancypants%2Bbanner%2B-%2BCopy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="1500" height="116" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMQSoEw33TM/Va_PhfLIGeI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Oy2p9DGeu-geYdeQrifGqvePgat_czyXACPcBGAYYCw/s320/Fancypants%2Bbanner%2B-%2BCopy.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OZzjfkFxuJk/W0-wXRObCMI/AAAAAAAAB4w/wsMoZqLQvEsjanpfjOv7VhYbR-XXvyKggCLcBGAs/s1600/Red%2BQueen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="316" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OZzjfkFxuJk/W0-wXRObCMI/AAAAAAAAB4w/wsMoZqLQvEsjanpfjOv7VhYbR-XXvyKggCLcBGAs/s320/Red%2BQueen.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span id="freeText7350753857952540729">This is a world divided
by blood - red or silver. The Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver
elite in possession of god-like superpowers. And to Mare Barrow, a
seventeen-year-old Red girl from the poverty-stricken Stilts, it seems
like nothing will ever change. That is until she finds herself working
in the Silver Palace. Here, surrounded by the people she hates the most,
Mare discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly
power of her own. One that threatens to destroy the balance of power.
Fearful of Mare's potential, the Silvers hide her in plain view,
declaring her a long-lost Silver princess, now engaged to a Silver
prince. Despite knowing that one misstep would mean her death, Mare
works silently to help the Red Guard, a militant resistance group, and
bring down the Silver regime. But this is a world of betrayal and lies,
and Mare has entered a dangerous dance - Reds against Silvers, prince
against prince, and Mare against her own heart.</span></i></div>
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="375">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hashtag"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Unresolved Mention"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
When my friend deposited this quadrilogy in my lap,
declaring it utter trash but something I’d probably love, I was torn. On the
one had; free books. On the other hand; what exactly was she saying about my
tastes? I’ve heard plenty about the Red Queen series over the years (who in the
YA blogging community hasn’t?) but had never got around to picking it up.
Something about the blurbs always turned me off. They were too neat; hitting
all the “bestseller” selling points and offering very little else. Still, free
books are free books and I had a week’s trip to a remote Scottish island
coming up, so I packed the books and dove in.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And was immediately glad I didn’t spend my hard-earned money
on them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I read somewhere that the author of Red Queen wanted to
write “the next big YA series”. That to me is a pretty damning indictment of
this book, and it shows on every page. There’s no heart, no passion in the
story. Everything is cold, calculating and cynical. Everything YA trope is
ticked off the list and every plot development can be seen coming a mile away
because you’ve read it before in other (dare I say better?) books. You could
play a YA trope bingo drinking game with this book, but you’d be dead from
alcohol poisoning by the half way mark. I kid you not; you would actually die.
The story itself is essentially The Hunger Games with X-Men powers. The first
quarter or so of the book apes The Hunger Games so blatantly I’m amazed this was published without having some of the more
glaringly obvious “similarities” edited out first. Surely I can't be the only one who felt this!?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="202" src="https://giphy.com/embed/FMWVkUHndHry0" width="480"></iframe></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
My main issue with this book was the protagonist, Mare. Mare
has it tough. She’s part of an oppressed underclass ruled by a rich and
powerful city. A “capital”, if you will. Alongside her salt of the earth best
friend and possible love interest, <s>Gale</s> Kilorn, she survives in her …
let’s call it a district … by thieving and scavenging to feed her beloved
family, especially her sheltered little sister. She dreams of running away to
avoid what seems to be her inevitable, miserable end in life, but won’t abandon her family. After a few twists of fate, she
ends up whisked away to the capital (with an "a"), a world of material excess, political intrigue and hot
guys vying for her attention while she has to play up to the role created for
her in order to save her skin and those of the people she loves. Oh, and
then she becomes the face of an underground rebellion looking to use her as a
pawn in their own machinations. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mare also complains. A lot. A secondary bingo drinking game,
where you take a shot every time she sulks, whines or monologues about how unfair everything is, would see you
dead from liver failure before you got through chapter three. Even when she’s been
taken from her pitiful existence and taken to palace to be passed off as a long
lost royal – even though this plan of action creates more problems for the evil king and queen than it solves – she doesn’t stop feeling sorry for herself.
Sure, it’s not an ideal situation, but it’s a hell of a lot better than what
she had going on before and puts her in a position to help a lot more people.
If she quit feeling sorry for herself and chose to make the best of a
situation, but that doesn’t appear to be her style.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the desperation to make Mare the new Katniss, this book
completely misses what made Katniss such a fantastic and relatable character in
the first place. She wasn’t a unique snowflake who just needed to stumble
ass-backwards into a situation where people would finally discover how special
she was. She was just a normal girl who made rash decisions, and then had to
live with the consequences of those decisions. Mare is not that. She’s the most
special of all the superpowered people in this book, she just needed someone (a
hot prince, of course) to discover just how incredible and special she is. Did
I mention that she’s special? Everything she does is at the insistence or orders
of other people. When she does finally make a decision off her own back by joining
the rebellion, she makes a mistake so stupid I can’t believe it was passed off
as a twist ending.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="211" src="https://giphy.com/embed/L20E2bh3ntSCc" width="480"></iframe></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
All the other characters are pretty standard across the
board, with the two love triangle angles Cal and Maven coming off as bland at best
and horribly calculated at worst. Cal in particular fell totally flat, with barely a defining characteristic to be found. His "romance" with Mare had absolutely zero heat, despite the obligatory learning to dance scene, and although his love/hate relationship wth brother Maven fared a little better, it was forced to take a backseat to the love triangle. Evangeline was your standard beautiful
mean-girl who hated our protagonist because she was getting in her way of the
men (apparently this is revealed not to be the case in later books, but I
didn’t see much else here). The evil queen was evil. The puppet king was a
puppet. The book was full of overly flowery prose that screams of an author
writing her “profound” quotes first and then jamming them into the manuscript.
If you’re not sure what lines are supposed to be quotable, don’t worry.
They’ll often be italicised, lest we readers not know what to add to the
Goodreads quotes section.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://giphy.com/embed/3Za4aUDf8aFyg" width="480"></iframe><br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I give this book two stars instead of one because it was a
very well written story and it's obvious that Victoria Aveyard is one hell of an author. Structure, pacing, writing style, all were top notch.
Contrary to my friend's warning this book may be many things but it is not trash. If I felt like this author was telling her own story, writing from the heart, I
probably would be giving this book raves. However the whole thing felt like a
calculated exercise in producing a bestseller. If someone programmed a robot to write “the next big YA series”, Red Queen would be what it spat out. And, fair play, it was a success in that respect. But strip away the hype and
the awards and you’re left with a basic book, and not a very original one at
that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xNOhYXjb6P8/VdDJ5Mj8btI/AAAAAAAAASo/OGOemuxzSJs2OhvbcniBaNJBIfD9AnWMgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Two%2Bstars.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="134" data-original-width="263" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xNOhYXjb6P8/VdDJ5Mj8btI/AAAAAAAAASo/OGOemuxzSJs2OhvbcniBaNJBIfD9AnWMgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Two%2Bstars.png" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
MikaylaGrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11710084738288925021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083545929548366658.post-69527637158220640432018-04-09T08:05:00.003-07:002018-04-09T08:08:55.860-07:00The Cruel Prince<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMQSoEw33TM/Va_PhfLIGeI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Oy2p9DGeu-geYdeQrifGqvePgat_czyXACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Fancypants%2Bbanner%2B-%2BCopy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="1500" height="116" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMQSoEw33TM/Va_PhfLIGeI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Oy2p9DGeu-geYdeQrifGqvePgat_czyXACPcBGAYYCw/s320/Fancypants%2Bbanner%2B-%2BCopy.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kGNUGwJBmbs/WnjhN1GVlJI/AAAAAAAAB1w/m6KnTBEHsDU_xCul67L6WpNx9ix4Qd7lACLcBGAs/s1600/TCP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kGNUGwJBmbs/WnjhN1GVlJI/AAAAAAAAB1w/m6KnTBEHsDU_xCul67L6WpNx9ix4Qd7lACLcBGAs/s320/TCP.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Jude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.<br /><br />To win a place at the Court, she must defy him–and face the consequences.<br /><br />In doing so, she becomes embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, discovering her own capacity for bloodshed. But as civil war threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself. </i><br />
<br />
<br />
DNF 70%<br />
<br />
I was expecting to love this book. I really was. I’d head nothing but good things and was eagerly awaiting my copy weeks ahead of the delivery date. And I couldn’t finished it. I forced myself to keep reading despite putting in down countless times with no real desire to pick it up again until, finally, I gave up. Don’t get me wrong. The Cruel Prince is not a bad book (you only have to read the numerous glowing reviews to see that), but I found it an absolute crushing bore.<br />
<br />
After being stolen from the human realm by her parent’s killer, Jude and her sisters grew up in the fairy realm under the roof of father-figure/parent-killer Madoc. Jude is desperate to be accepted by the fair folk, and when it becomes apparent that she never will be, she turns her attention to being better than them and winning a place as knight of the court. While all this plays out, she’s tormented by the titular cruel prince Carden and his gang of sidekicks. And this is my problem with the story. It’s juvenile in the extreme. Much of it revolves around Jude being cornered and bullied by Carden like a less satirical version of Mean Girls.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://giphy.com/embed/l0IukNXgBnxRXVjYA" width="480"></iframe></div>
<br />
Seriously, this is pure high school drama. Sure, the fair folk’s magic gives these encounters a neat twist – like force-feeding Jude magical fruit that makes her incredibly suggestible – but this stuff felt a bit too cynically targeted at young people who go through severe bullying. Jude is presented to the reader as a capable, determined girl, but over and over again all I saw was a bitter, emotionally damaged girl who hates the popular kids while longing to be one. I didn’t connect with her at all, and so had little to no interest in her story.<br />
<br />
On top of that, Jude's sort-of attraction to Carden was skin-crawlingly creepy. Hate-to-love is one thing, but portraying Carden as Jude's abuser, only to hint that she was attracted to him as a result, was beyond poor taste. I do not lie when I say these scenes genuinely left me feeling queasy. I was kind of confused as to why Jude was so comfortable living under Madoc's roof and protection too. She saw this guy murder her parents and she apparently harbours him no ill will beyond getting stroppy when he won't let her train to become a knight. She's about ready to kill Carden for cruel taunts, but apparently straight up murdering her parents before her eyes gets you nothing more than a side eye every once in a while. <br />
<br />
I give this book two stars because it is incredibly imaginative and well-written. And if I was still in high school, maybe this book would resonate more with me, but I found the basis of the story to be in such poor taste that it soured the whole thing for me. Maybe the book picks up in the final act that makes the preceding 70% of Jude's suffering and misery worth it, but by that point I didn't care enough to find out.<br /><i> </i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xNOhYXjb6P8/VdDJ5Mj8btI/AAAAAAAAASo/OGOemuxzSJs2OhvbcniBaNJBIfD9AnWMgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Two%2Bstars.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="134" data-original-width="263" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xNOhYXjb6P8/VdDJ5Mj8btI/AAAAAAAAASo/OGOemuxzSJs2OhvbcniBaNJBIfD9AnWMgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Two%2Bstars.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
MikaylaGrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11710084738288925021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083545929548366658.post-73131657437529751812018-04-02T14:43:00.000-07:002018-04-02T14:44:34.257-07:00Sunburner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMQSoEw33TM/Va_PhfLIGeI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Oy2p9DGeu-geYdeQrifGqvePgat_czyXACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Fancypants%2Bbanner%2B-%2BCopy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="1500" height="116" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMQSoEw33TM/Va_PhfLIGeI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Oy2p9DGeu-geYdeQrifGqvePgat_czyXACPcBGAYYCw/s320/Fancypants%2Bbanner%2B-%2BCopy.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5BnSC6KSgo4/WpnPsF7YuaI/AAAAAAAAB2w/iuNLcEbOo6IgolnMAT8XfEMxpJKls16QgCLcBGAs/s1600/Sunburner.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1072" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5BnSC6KSgo4/WpnPsF7YuaI/AAAAAAAAB2w/iuNLcEbOo6IgolnMAT8XfEMxpJKls16QgCLcBGAs/s320/Sunburner.jpeg" width="214" /></a></div>
<i>No one said being queen was easy...<br /><br />Kai, the newly-crowned queen of Miina, finds her reign threatened by a plague of natural disasters that leave death and destruction in their wake. Are the gods truly angry at the peace between the moon and sunburners, or is something more sinister to blame? Kai's throne and her very life may be forfeit unless she can appease the gods' anger and her peoples' superstitions.<br /><br />Determined to find a solution, Kai and the Sunburner Prince Hiro embark on an extraordinary and dangerous journey to discover the true cause of the plagues. What they find is an ancient enemy determined to plunge their world into eternal darkness — and one desperate chance to save it.</i><br />
<br />
Sunburner picks up a short time after Moonburner left off. Kai has taken her place as queen, with Hiro as her side, but the sinister prophecy about her rule looks to be coming true. Famine and disease are taking their toll on her people, and it seems the gods themselves aren’t happy with the alliance she’s forged with her old enemies.<br />
<br />
Kai and Hiro’s relationship was all but absent from Moonburner. It was an unusual tactic from the author, but it worked. Keeping their romance on the backburner while they dealt with bigger issues made it feel genuine, rather than a shallow infatuation. Now, we finally get to see them together. And what a pairing. I loved seeing Hiro content to take Kai’s side without having to constantly prove his macho credentials. There was no possessive behaviour, no putting her in her place to make himself look like a big man. Theirs was at true partnership, and it showed.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="268" src="https://giphy.com/embed/9rnoFO1PP1rZYHFRtW" width="480"></iframe></div>
<br />
It was a bit of a shame that Kai's relationship her sensei-esque fox Quitsu was a bit surplus to requirements this time around. With Hiro in the picture as Kai's confidant and supporter, Quitsu could have been left out in the cold, but the author managed to keep him in the story and maintain his close relationship with Kai without him feeling like a third wheel. Kai herself was easily one of the best things about this story, keeping it grounded as the odds became increasingly stacked against her. One of my pet peeves in YA fantasy - as much as I love it - are 'sassy' protagonists. I say sassy in inverted commas because, more often than not, I read them as rude, insufferable and arrogant. So it was wonderful to read a strong-willed, fiercely determined character who didn't once insult anyone, threaten them with violence if she didn't get her way or throw a tantrum when someone didn't show her proper respect. <br />
<br />
Kai’s best friend Emi was back in Sunburner, much to my delight! This straight-talking, take-no-shit moonburner was one of my favourite characters in the last book. Her burgeoning relationship with bitter sunburner Daarco felt a bit trite at first, but the messages of forgiveness and growth that played out through it made it worthwhile. I had to love Emi putting the arrogant Daarco in his place time and time again!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="382" src="https://giphy.com/embed/QrQJeDeOZJLtm" width="480"></iframe></div>
<br />
The story itself – of an age-old war between gods and demons playing out to the detriment of the innocent humans that are caught up in its effects – felt like a huge step up from Moonburner. That’s not to say there was anything wrong with the first book’s story, it’s just that this felt like everything great from that book, turned up to 11. The stakes were higher, the world bigger and the consequences more severe. I loved the idea of the gods being somewhat weak and ineffective. It makes sense of course – they’d relied on the Burners they’d created to fight for and defend them – and was a great twist on the usual trope of the protagonist racing to raise an all-powerful being or uncover a magical MacGuffin to save the day, leaving the characters themselves in the dust. These characters weren’t going to be saved. They had to save themselves.<br />
<br />
As for the ending … well, I won’t spoil anything, but it was absolutely note perfect. The story is wrapped up and the characters have come full circle, although the door is open for new stories in this world. And I, for one, will be snapping up any sequels.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j8arYnWV4eU/VavFbvPp5MI/AAAAAAAAAGw/3kQc3DIHTVgVFolI-rKVwI9226dskLnxwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Five%2Bstars.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="135" data-original-width="655" height="65" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j8arYnWV4eU/VavFbvPp5MI/AAAAAAAAAGw/3kQc3DIHTVgVFolI-rKVwI9226dskLnxwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/Five%2Bstars.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />MikaylaGrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11710084738288925021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083545929548366658.post-26417372863768779322018-03-20T14:50:00.001-07:002018-03-20T14:51:22.649-07:00The Evaporation of Sofi Snow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMQSoEw33TM/Va_PhfLIGeI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Oy2p9DGeu-geYdeQrifGqvePgat_czyXACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Fancypants%2Bbanner%2B-%2BCopy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="1500" height="116" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMQSoEw33TM/Va_PhfLIGeI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Oy2p9DGeu-geYdeQrifGqvePgat_czyXACPcBGAYYCw/s320/Fancypants%2Bbanner%2B-%2BCopy.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F6xT0uhdeVA/WnjcRmpZjYI/AAAAAAAAB1I/YBV60_p0EsMDvWEmyGHkXu0r44Vt1qpjQCLcBGAs/s1600/32969235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="312" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F6xT0uhdeVA/WnjcRmpZjYI/AAAAAAAAB1I/YBV60_p0EsMDvWEmyGHkXu0r44Vt1qpjQCLcBGAs/s320/32969235.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Ever since the Delonese ice-planet arrived eleven years ago, Sofi's dreams have been vivid. Alien. In a system where Earth's corporations rule in place of governments and the humanoid race orbiting the moon are allies, her only constant has been her younger brother, Shilo. As an online gamer, Sofi battles behind the scenes of Earth's Fantasy Fighting arena where Shilo is forced to compete in a mix of real and virtual blood sport. But when a bomb takes out a quarter of the arena, Sofi's the only one who believes Shilo survived. She has dreams of him. And she's convinced he's been taken to the ice-planet.<br /><br />Except no one but ambassadors are allowed there.<br /><br />For Miguel, Earth's charming young playboy, the games are of a different sort. As Ambassador to the Delonese, his career has been built on trading secrets and seduction. Until the Fantasy Fight's bomb goes off. Now the tables have turned and he's a target for blackmail. The game is simple: Help the blackmailers, or lose more than anyone can fathom, or Earth can afford.</i><br />
<br />
<i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="375">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hashtag"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Unresolved Mention"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I really hate rating this book so low for two reasons.
First, Mary Weber’s Storm Siren trilogy is one of my all-time favourite fantasy
series and I had high hopes for her next duology. Second, the themes, diversity
and messages in this book are so, so important. I really admire what the author was
going for here. From the ethnically and sexually diverse cast to the thorny
subjects of human trafficking and political corruption, this series aimed high
and deserves kudos for doing so. The problem was I just didn’t connect with the
characters and found the story hopelessly confusing at times.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The book kicks off in the midst of the games; a partly
computer generated and partly real fight between child gamers representing
various corporations. But it was never really clear what was going on. The
descriptions and information came so thick and fast that I struggled to keep
up. It didn’t help that one moment characters were saying that players couldn’t
get hurt by the games, but a few chapters later were talking abut actually
injuries and potential death. Add into this the mentions of corporations that
rule earth in place of a government and an alien planet floating nearby, and
there was just too much going on, especially for a first book. It didn’t help
that the details of the corporations, what they did and how they’d seized power,
were never fully explained. Nor was the sudden proximity of an alien planet,
either its history or how a new mass could suddenly appear next to earth
without wreaking havoc with its environment.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="240" src="https://giphy.com/embed/3ohs7UrMoIfkY4jecU" width="480"></iframe></div>
<br />
The story moves at such a fast pace
there really isn’t much time to get to grips with the society and world it’s
taking place in. Random future words and non-sensical tech speak pepper the
story ("hacking" is apparently another word for magic - that's the only explanation for some of the things computers can do here). Add to that the mystery of just what happened to Shilo, Sophie and
Miguel’s tangled past and flashbacks to a sinister past Sophie can’t quite
remember, and I was too confused by the story to be engaged by it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I didn’t feel Sophie’s relationship, such as it was, with
Miguel. Their backstory was too vague and briefly touched on (they almost had a
thing, but he walked away and broke her heart) to make much impact. The
relationship between Sophie and her brother Shilo fared much better. Their
sibling bond was strong enough to make the lengths Sophie was willing go to to get him
back believable, and it was nice to see the sibling relationship take priority over the romantic one. I wasn't a huge fan of Miguel's pov chapters either. Because the author had to withhold crucial information from the reader, his character constantly felt dishonest and I felt like I was being cheated.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="271" src="https://giphy.com/embed/opnfwMHaItzWg" width="480"></iframe></div>
<br />
If a character has information - especially the kind that Miguel did - it doesn't feel real when they go out of their way to avoid mentioning it, even in their internal dialogue. I lost count of the amount of times Miguel would start to think about his past, only to then stop dead in his train of thought and refuse to think any more about it. Maybe it was this that kept me from connecting with Miguel as a character and made his perspective on the story a low point for me. He also joins the ranks of YA characters with job ludicrously implausible given their age; in this case; Earth's ambassador to the alien ice planet at 16 years old! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I really admire this book for the themes it tackles and the
message it conveys, unfortunately these were wrapped in too many storytelling
knots for me to enjoy it.</div>
<i>
</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xNOhYXjb6P8/VdDJ5Mj8btI/AAAAAAAAASo/OGOemuxzSJs2OhvbcniBaNJBIfD9AnWMgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Two%2Bstars.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="134" data-original-width="263" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xNOhYXjb6P8/VdDJ5Mj8btI/AAAAAAAAASo/OGOemuxzSJs2OhvbcniBaNJBIfD9AnWMgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Two%2Bstars.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
MikaylaGrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11710084738288925021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083545929548366658.post-21135796289958662092018-03-15T15:09:00.000-07:002018-03-15T15:10:20.840-07:00The Last Namsara<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMQSoEw33TM/Va_PhfLIGeI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Oy2p9DGeu-geYdeQrifGqvePgat_czyXACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Fancypants%2Bbanner%2B-%2BCopy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="1500" height="116" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMQSoEw33TM/Va_PhfLIGeI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Oy2p9DGeu-geYdeQrifGqvePgat_czyXACPcBGAYYCw/s320/Fancypants%2Bbanner%2B-%2BCopy.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-reZR3elmMpg/WpnPLmwaaUI/AAAAAAAAB2o/IkYWSwqf-Dc8eX8GhqiH2aISsHZdjynkgCLcBGAs/s1600/Namsara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="255" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-reZR3elmMpg/WpnPLmwaaUI/AAAAAAAAB2o/IkYWSwqf-Dc8eX8GhqiH2aISsHZdjynkgCLcBGAs/s320/Namsara.jpg" width="204" /></a></div>
<i>In the beginning, there was the Namsara: the child of sky and spirit, who carried love and laughter wherever he went. But where there is light, there must be darkness—and so there was also the Iskari. The child of blood and moonlight. The destroyer. The death-bringer.<br /><br />These are the legends that Asha, daughter of the king of Firgaard, has grown up learning in hushed whispers, drawn to the forbidden figures of the past. But it isn’t until she becomes the fiercest, most feared dragon slayer in the land that she takes on the role of the next Iskari—a lonely destiny that leaves her feeling more like a weapon than a girl.<br /><br />Asha conquers each dragon and brings its head to the king, but no kill can free her from the shackles that await at home: her betrothal to the cruel commandant, a man who holds the truth about her nature in his palm. When she’s offered the chance to gain her freedom in exchange for the life of the most powerful dragon in Firgaard, she finds that there may be more truth to the ancient stories than she ever could have expected. With the help of a secret friend—a slave boy from her betrothed’s household—Asha must shed the layers of her Iskari bondage and open her heart to love, light, and a truth that has been kept from her. </i><br />
<br />
Ass-kicking, dragon-hunting protagonist? Say no more, I’m there! That’s pretty much all I knew about this book going into it after receiving a copy in a subscription box, but it was all I needed to know. I was anticipating action and adventure, fierce females and far-away fantasy. And this book delivered it all, and then some!<br />
<br />
Protagonist Asha is a dragon-hunter. She hunts and slays dragons to atone for inadvertently summoning a dragon that destroyed her city when she was a girl. Her people fear her. Her father, the king, names her Iskari after a vengeful goddess and uses her drive the last of “the Old Ways” from his kingdom. She’s betrothed to a glory-hunting jackass and only ‘one last (dragon-hunting) job’ can save her from his clutches. That’s probably as much detail as I can go into without starting to run off a synopsis of the book, but suffice to say, she’s badass.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="321" src="https://giphy.com/embed/10m8P1WznJjLK8" width="480"></iframe></div>
<br />
It was up to the supporting characters to draw the real Asha out though, and they were a great cast! Asha’s slave-blooded cousin, Safire, was my personal favourite. Her brother Dax seemed like to much of an idiot through most of the story for me to believe as the heir to the dragon king’s throne, until revelation later in the story revealed that to not be the case. Of course, no such book would be complete without a love interest, which is where things started to unravel a bit for me. Torwin was…fine. Just…fine. He’s a slave to Asha’s royalty, so they had the whole Romeo and Juliet thing going on, but it felt a bit too by-the-numbers to be organic. I think I’d have preferred to read them as friends rather than would-be lovers. Asha’s relationship with her pet dragon Shadow – and later, *named redacted because spoilers* – was more believable. Torwin was a great character and played out the other side of Asha’s world perfectly, but their burgeoning romance felt forced. I wasn’t a huge fan of the way Asha turned to mush around Torwin. I get their slow burn romance and the author was showing the real Asha starting to emerge from the hardened shell she’s built around herself, but I just have a dislike of female protagonists going gooey ever time they’re in close physical proximity to the designated love interest. A love interest that, of course, smells great no matter what’s just happened to him. Seriously, is it too much to ask that a character acknowledges that their partner smells like they really need a wash?<br />
<br />
The world-building in this book is absolutely fantasy perfection; enough to create a rich, vibrant world without bogging itself down in irrelevant details. Asha’s refined kingdom of Firgaard and the wild, free scrublands are pretty much the only places we hear about, but their history and cultures shine through, woven through the story seemingly effortlessly. The ancient stories that peppered the book itself were a lovely touch. As well as letting the reader see the tales which inspired such awe and fear, they were a clever way of sneakily feeding the reader the history of the world without glaringly obvious infodumps. <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="224" src="https://giphy.com/embed/ha5EeXrfx3xxC" width="480"></iframe></div>
<br />
The book is action-packed from start to finish and it ends pretty much perfectly. There’s plenty of scope for a sequel, but it also reads stand alone without dangling plot threads or unanswered questions that serve to annoy more than they entice. My kind of ending!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mK4CXLUK3J8/VapyKCkxUsI/AAAAAAAAAFg/gO3rjo55NN4bYPEETSfmsPMP0qD19zQcwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Four%2Bstars.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="134" data-original-width="524" height="81" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mK4CXLUK3J8/VapyKCkxUsI/AAAAAAAAAFg/gO3rjo55NN4bYPEETSfmsPMP0qD19zQcwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/Four%2Bstars.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />MikaylaGrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11710084738288925021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083545929548366658.post-42778848690353406212018-02-18T15:18:00.000-08:002018-03-15T15:19:24.309-07:00Truthwitch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMQSoEw33TM/Va_PhfLIGeI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Oy2p9DGeu-geYdeQrifGqvePgat_czyXACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Fancypants%2Bbanner%2B-%2BCopy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="1500" height="116" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMQSoEw33TM/Va_PhfLIGeI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Oy2p9DGeu-geYdeQrifGqvePgat_czyXACPcBGAYYCw/s320/Fancypants%2Bbanner%2B-%2BCopy.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tfyzmh_uyB0/Wnjewqfw1rI/AAAAAAAAB1k/vF6rkqn2SYoHdaS5C5HriKVDKstu3ZJwACLcBGAs/s1600/Truthwitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="313" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tfyzmh_uyB0/Wnjewqfw1rI/AAAAAAAAB1k/vF6rkqn2SYoHdaS5C5HriKVDKstu3ZJwACLcBGAs/s320/Truthwitch.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>In a continent on the edge of war, two witches hold its fate in their hands.<br /><br />Young witches Safiya and Iseult have a habit of finding trouble. After clashing with a powerful Guildmaster and his ruthless Bloodwitch bodyguard, the friends are forced to flee their home.<br /><br />Safi must avoid capture at all costs as she's a rare Truthwitch, able to discern truth from lies. Many would kill for her magic, so Safi must keep it hidden - lest she be used in the struggle between empires. And Iseult's true powers are hidden even from herself.<br /><br />In a chance encounter at Court, Safi meets Prince Merik and makes him a reluctant ally. However, his help may not slow down the Bloodwitch now hot on the girls' heels. All Safi and Iseult want is their freedom, but danger lies ahead. With war coming, treaties breaking and a magical contagion sweeping the land, the friends will have to fight emperors and mercenaries alike. For some will stop at nothing to get their hands on a Truthwitch. </i><br />
<br />
I’ll be honest, all the pre-publication hype around Truthwitch killed my interest in this book. Like, killed it dead. I was pumped to read it, then sick of hearing about it, so it wasn’t until recently that I actually picked up a copy. I think the gorgeous UK paperback went some way towards bringing me around! As it happens, I wish I hadn’t been put off by the hype. Ths book was pretty much the definition of a page turner. Fast-paced, engaging and well-written with characters that took on a life of their own…I couldn’t put it down!<br />
<br />
Truthwitch is an ambitious book for sure. The only problem was, it was just as confusing at times too. Aside from juggling multiple povs (five or more from memory), the author also introduced three empires; an independent country; a soon to expire ceasefire from a decades old war; a magical system comprising of six “witcheries” – earth, air, fire etc, which themselves broke down into countless different types of power; legends; politics; and two girls in the middle of it all who just want a peaceful life of their own. Names, places, curses and words are thrown at the reader from the get go with no point of reference. Take this paragraph for example;<br />
<br />
<i>“All right,” Iseult said, her expression unchanging. “My next plan involves the Hell-Bards. They’re in Venaza City for the Truce Summit, right? To protect the Cartorran Empire? Maybe you could appeal to one of them for help since your uncle used to be one – and I doubt even the Dalmotti guards would be stupid enough to cross a Hell-Bard.”</i><br />
<i></i><br />
I had no idea what about 30% of that text was referring to when I read it. A quick visit to the authors website shows multi-page documents explaining the worlds, the history and the witchery system. Perhaps these were included in the hardback but not the paperback, but even then you shouldn’t need a glossary to make sense of a story. By the end of the book, I still didn’t know exactly what powers it was possible to have.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="269" src="https://giphy.com/embed/mSAE6qMdL7MxG" width="480"></iframe></div>
<br />
Confusion aside though, I really did love this book. The themes of sisterhood and friendship were what made it for me. The romance angles took a backseat, and rightly so. As much as I adored Safi and Merrick’s banter and chemistry (with the exception of a niggling consent issue; male characters kissing female characters against their will or without permission isn’t cute! You wouldn’t get away with it in real life and you shouldn’t get away with it in a YA book), it was her friendship with Iseult that made this book so special. I loved that they supported each other, I loved that their friendship was organic (and not the result of both knowing the love interest) and I loved that they were always each other’s priority. Even when separated, their first thoughts were to get back to each other. Merrick may have been Safi’s “love interest”, but he never came between her and Iseult. He never drew her focus from saving her best friend’s life. It’s depressingly rare to read such strong female friendships in YA (seriously, if anyone has any recommendations, hit me up!) that don’t take a backseat once the hero shows up. I was beyond delighted that Iseult wasn’t relegated to doing Safi’s hair and gossiping while she prepared for a date with Merrick!<br />
<br />
Truthwitch has enough ambition and detail for a trilogy of books, never mind one, which sometimes makes for a confusing read. However the wonderful friendship between the two protagonists and their non-stop adventures kept me hooked.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ipLe_HF_ziA/VmNcBWQUgjI/AAAAAAAAArA/vTNWPzb8m4Mv7RPh0hBoNTQub-Y903VtQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/3%2Bhalf%2Bstars.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="134" data-original-width="473" height="90" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ipLe_HF_ziA/VmNcBWQUgjI/AAAAAAAAArA/vTNWPzb8m4Mv7RPh0hBoNTQub-Y903VtQCPcBGAYYCw/s320/3%2Bhalf%2Bstars.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
MikaylaGrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11710084738288925021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083545929548366658.post-66545272204782244972017-12-18T15:26:00.000-08:002017-12-18T15:31:06.756-08:00Zenith<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMQSoEw33TM/Va_PhfLIGeI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Oy2p9DGeu-geYdeQrifGqvePgat_czyXACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Fancypants%2Bbanner%2B-%2BCopy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="1500" height="116" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMQSoEw33TM/Va_PhfLIGeI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Oy2p9DGeu-geYdeQrifGqvePgat_czyXACPcBGAYYCw/s320/Fancypants%2Bbanner%2B-%2BCopy.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IaY-QjxoQ9w/Wdvv9miwBlI/AAAAAAAAByU/QPxwOsTzfi8S9xj-7t1WcPCwf2suQm0fwCLcBGAs/s1600/Zenith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="293" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IaY-QjxoQ9w/Wdvv9miwBlI/AAAAAAAAByU/QPxwOsTzfi8S9xj-7t1WcPCwf2suQm0fwCLcBGAs/s400/Zenith.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>There is darkness sweeping across the stars.</i><br />
<br />
<i>Most know Androma Racella as the Bloody Baroness: a powerful mercenary whose reign of terror stretches across the Mirabel Galaxy. To those aboard her fearsome glass starship the Maurader, she’s just Andi, their captain and protector.<br /><br />When a routine mission goes awry, the all-girl crew’s resilience is tested as they find themselves in a most unfamiliar place: at the mercy of a sadistic bounty hunter connected to Andi’s past and a harrowing betrayal.<br /><br />Meanwhile, on the far side of the galaxy, a ruthless ruler waits in the shadows of the planet Xen Ptera, biding her time to exact revenge for the destruction of her people. The final pieces of her deadly plan are about to fall into place, unleashing a plot that will tear Mirabel in two.<br /><br />Andi and her crew embark on a dangerous, soul-testing journey that could restore order to their ship—or just as easily start a war that will devour worlds. As the Marauder hurtles towards the unknown, and Mirabel hangs in the balance, the only thing certain is that in a galaxy run on lies and illusion, no one can be trusted.</i><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I was provided with an ARC of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
There's been a lot of online chatter about whether this book deserved to be published, or whether it got a free pass because of Sasha Alsberg's online presence. I think this is neither here nor there when it comes to the quality of the book so I won't bring it in to my review, but I will just say that I feel this book is entirely strong enough to have been published on its own merits. I certainly don't think it's a literary masterpiece or up there with the great YA fantasy novels, but it's certainly well-written and engaging enough to warrant publication. Would it have been picked up without its co-author's "fame"? Who knows, but I don't think it's fair to begrudge her the success she has obviously worked hard for (I can barely write a shopping list, so anyone who can write or even co-write a book gets props from me). If you don't agree with the publisher's decision to pick up Zenith then don't buy it.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://giphy.com/embed/3o7btNa0RUYa5E7iiQ" width="350"></iframe></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Now, quibbles aside, onto the review. I found Zenith to be something of a mixed bag, and an odd one at that. You know how sometimes something is greater than the sum of its parts? They don't really work individually, but they fit together like a very pretty jigsaw? Zenith is like that. The core elements - plot, worldbuilding, characters, dialogue etc - were patchy at best, but when put together, they created a pretty good read. Unfortunately, when I closed the book and started composing my thoughts for a review, these issues only became more glaring. I lost myself in the book (even if I was infuriated or irritated by it), but when I stepped back and processed what I'd just read, my brain started to poke all sorts of holes in it. My thoughts on this book can be packaged into three neat categories; the good, the bad and the ugly.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
First up - because I like to be positive - is the good. Zenith has a great premise and is pretty much the definition of a page turner! It's zippy and engaging, and it hooked me from the get-go. I absolutely loved the friendship and bonds between the all-girl crew of the Marauder too (even if I didn't quite buy their badass credentials as much as they themselves seemed to, and this crew of four was a hell of a lot smaller than I was expecting). Andi's protective second-in-command Lira was my favourite, her genuine bond with her captain giving the so-called Bloody Baroness (which is a laugh-out-loud ridiculous alias) some much needed humanity. There's no bitching, no back-biting, no endless conversations about boys; this feels like friendship. A real one. The other two crew members, Brek and Gilly, were fantastic too, sharing a sisterly bond that ranged from blasting spaceships out of the sky to scolding each other for swearing.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The writing style was good - barring a few obvious instances of trying too hard to be quotable. I've never read a co-authored book before and was expecting it to be obviously which bits had been written by who, but the chapters are seamless. The pov switches are nicely done and impeccably timed. The book seemed to know when I was tiring of one character and switched to another. There were some stand-out scenes in the second half of the book; like Andi's meeting with her estranged father and Lira's disastrous visit to her home planet, that really stood out as incredibly well written. There was an overadundance of repetitive flashbacks about the trauma in Andi's past and the subplot about the Queen of Xen Ptera's family history was pretty confusing in early chapters, but, other than those interludes, the writing itself was great.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Unfortunately, next up is the bad. The storyline of this book is not original. At all. Plot and protagonist feel like they've been lifted wholesale from other books and flung into space, and details about body mods and blue-skinned, bald alien women seem to go out of their way to call to mind other sci-fi series (Guardians of the Galaxy and Firefly are two of the more conspicuous ones). The worldbuilding is frustraingly vague too, with names and places thrown at the reader from the get go and, with no reference or explanation, these serve to confuse more than they enlighten.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://giphy.com/embed/bhHn91wfoJB2U" width="480"><br></iframe></div>
<br />
Details like a character having red-and-white striped eyes, or a man being covered in giant purple spikes, are tossed around inconsistently, meaning you can never really picture a scene because you don't have a damn clue what anyone looks like. There are a couple of glaring instances of lazy writing too. People freeze, have their blood turn to ice or their stomach drop into their toes on entirely too many occasions, and there's an awful lot of talk about huge bangs and explosions of light. In space. I guess someone skipped on their physics lessons in school.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
My other big issue was this book was the protagonists. They are, for lack of a better word, assholes. The supporting characters of Andi's crew are fine, but Dex is so two dimensional he'd disappear if he turned sideways, and Andi is utterly reprehensible (more on theat below, dear reader!). If she's not gazing at the stars and sighing about what a troubled badass she is, he's waxing lyrical about her fearsome beauty and deadly skills.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://giphy.com/embed/Ha34MrIRlEM1i" width="480"></iframe></div>
<br />
Their relationship hits all the YA love story plot points (which I'm not going to criticise it for because this is a YA book), but it never felt genuine and I never once cared. I prefered Andi's relationship with Lira and the deceased Kalee much more (it's telling that the authors managed to make Andi's relationship with a dead girl more meaningful than her one with Dex). I failed to see why I should care about this pair of idiots. The source of their conflict could have been - and indeed is - explained in a five minute conversation, but they're too busy stabbing and snarling at each other to bother trying to be civil. Am I supposed to want to see this pair together? Because I sure as hell didn't! Dextros (because he's so dexterous. Get it?) flits between cocky flirt, lovesick puppy and barely competent sidekick depending on what the plot requires, and as a result feels more like a plot device than a character. And as for Andi ... well, that brings me rather neatly on to my final section.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And strap yourself in, because this one's a rant. My final thought is on the ugly. Let's be real here. Andi is a mass murderer. We first meet her when she's tallying her kills. She frequently boasts about her reputation and the blood trail she's left across the galaxy. She recalls a job where she and her crew were paid by a man's wife to kidnap said man's mistress and leave her on a barren asteroid to slowly starve to death. Another character reminds her of the time she shot a ship out of the sky only for the debris to rain down on an innocent village and kill its inhabitants. It disturbs me greatly how many YA novels glamorise straight-up murder. Given the current climate (or any climate really), a mass murderer makes for a poor protagonist in my eyes, and trying to pass this off as little more than a troubled heroine backstory leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Sure, Andi had to flee her home planet to escape the death penalty after causing the accident that killed a general's daughter, but she made the choice to become a murderous space pirate from there. She wasn't forced or coerced (even though Dex helped train her, there's no suggestion anywhere that he forced her into killing), so it makes all her guilt feel disingenuous. She made a choice, now she has to live with the consequences of it. There's a lot of talk of regret - and an admittedly cool scene featuring Andi's recurring nightmare of dancing with her dead victims - but just because you feel bad about your actions, doesn't mean you get a pass for them. Maybe I'm being hard on this book, because a trigger-happy protagonist isn't exactly rare in YA, but because the authors go out of their way to bring up Andi's deeds again and again - She's the Bloody Baroness, stars be damned! She's left a trail of blood across the galaxy! Her name strikes fear into the hearts of anyone who's heard it (which is everyone)! - they can't hide the reality of what she is. And that is a murderer. Not a killer, not an assassin, not a baddass; but a murderer.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://giphy.com/embed/3oz8xzFWEfzUssWn2U" width="480"></iframe></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So why do I rate this book relatively highly, despite lambasting it pretty thoroughly for about two thirds of my review? Well, I was entertained. Books don't have to change the world, and they don't have to stay with you long after you close the pages. Sometimes, you just want to get swept up in a story, and this book did that for me. It made me feel something, even if that feeling wasn't always a good one. Zenith does have a very positive, pro-friendship message too, and correctly posits that family is what you make it, that bonds made through choice and freedom hold tighter than those born of obligation. The scene were Andi's crew gather silently around her while she cries hits ten times harder than any of her forced conflict with Dex. It's just a shame that this element was relegated to mere window dressing a lot of the time. The pockets of originality and quiet scenes between the girls feel like they were written from the heart, whereas all the talk of Andi's troubled past and her beautiful badassery feel like they were written with one eye on a spot on the bestseller lists. If this book had followed its own, more genuine, path rather than forcing its chracters to follow the well-worn steps of other people's stories, I would have enjoyed it so much more.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c74iN1ExaSc/VbE6jbLUM0I/AAAAAAAAAJU/0Cq0oSXhJQAV-IC9Oa_hdMTYIjUFJNxqgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Three%2Bstars.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="135" data-original-width="398" height="108" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c74iN1ExaSc/VbE6jbLUM0I/AAAAAAAAAJU/0Cq0oSXhJQAV-IC9Oa_hdMTYIjUFJNxqgCPcBGAYYCw/s320/Three%2Bstars.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
MikaylaGrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11710084738288925021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083545929548366658.post-16867247921400469642017-11-30T15:55:00.000-08:002017-12-18T15:31:14.951-08:00Mated to the Werewolf King<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMQSoEw33TM/Va_PhfLIGeI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Oy2p9DGeu-geYdeQrifGqvePgat_czyXACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Fancypants%2Bbanner%2B-%2BCopy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="1500" height="116" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMQSoEw33TM/Va_PhfLIGeI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Oy2p9DGeu-geYdeQrifGqvePgat_czyXACPcBGAYYCw/s320/Fancypants%2Bbanner%2B-%2BCopy.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QzvRvpPJ_cA/Wgn6w9ARtjI/AAAAAAAAB0g/6QLM4bLbMGkJN2-fwY95OkwAAa111gSmACLcBGAs/s1600/35850928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="296" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QzvRvpPJ_cA/Wgn6w9ARtjI/AAAAAAAAB0g/6QLM4bLbMGkJN2-fwY95OkwAAa111gSmACLcBGAs/s320/35850928.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>
<i>As war looms between the two species, the Demon Lord is determined to find Annabelle – little does she know, the truth behind his sinister actions is about to unravel. When Annabelle discovers that she is not the true daughter of the Alpha in her pack, her world, as she knows it, comes crashing down and she finds herself running to hide from the tyrannical Demon Lord who is hell-bent on finding her.<br /><br />Despite her objections, she is taken to the court of the Werewolf King. He’s arrogant, stubborn and discerning of her very being, but willing to defend her… for now.<br /><br />Will the Werewolf King yield to the Demon Lord’s ultimatum and give her to the enemy or will she be the cause of a looming war between the two species? More importantly, what does the Demon Lord want with Belle? She’s only a werewolf… isn’t she? </i><br />
<br />
Disclaimer; I was provided with a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. <br />
<br />
DNF 70%<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="224" src="https://giphy.com/embed/bcl1lpG8JQ8b6" width="480"></iframe></div>
<br />
I try to be positive with book reviews, and that goes double for first in a series and/or indie published books, but I just couldn't find much to like here. The blurb above had potential but there wasn't as much inter-species politics and worldbuilding as I'd hoped. The supposed looming war is barely mentioned and there's no real sense of scale outside Belle and whoever is trying to sleep with her in that partiular chapter. I was hoping for armies and scheming and twisted history, but unfortunately there wasn't much to be found outside the so-called love story. Well, unless your a fan of misogyny, toxic masulinity and hugely unlikable "heroines".<br />
<br />
The writing style wasn't my cup of tea. Characters literally
announced how they felt and a lot of plot elements were thrown in as the
story required them rather than being woven through the story to
establish the world. This book was very much a character and relationship-driven story, and unfortunately is where it fell apart in a major way for me.<br />
<br />
Protagonist Belle is a brat, an idiot and a misogynist. She stomps her feet, sulks and frequently refers to other (pretty and blonde - of course!) female characters as bitches for no other reason than the fact they've slept with the guy she has the hots for. That's pretty much the extent of their characteristation, but what more reason do we need to hate each other, amiright ladies? She had zero autonomy in what was supposedly her own story, however her internal monologue had her seemingly believing she was a genuine, no-nonsense badass. If this was intentional, it could have been downright brilliant, but I suspect it wasn't. Belle is certainly written like whiny teenager, but I don't know if that was intentional or not, because werewolf king Keith is written in much the same way.<br />
<br />
Keith (yes, that's right. The big sexy of this novel is called Keith) is a possessive, aggressive asshole who treats Belle like property and/or baggage. He stomps around declaring Belle "mine, mine, mine" like a petulant toddler who's had his favourite toy taken away, shags around behind her back (but it's okay though, because he was thinking of her the whole time!) and abuses and assaults her on the regular. At one point, he forcibly kisses her against her will, then throws her against a wall and blames her for his inability to control himself. And it's passed of as being romantic.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="224" src="https://giphy.com/embed/Xj8orUvjQ2SLS" width="480"></iframe></div>
<br />
Seriously, HOW CAN THAT BE PUBLISHED IN 2017!? Perhaps it's just bad timing, but given the current climate and discussions around consent and women's rights, this book is downright nauseating. Add in the fact that several Big Bads all want Belle as their mate because she's so super-special, and you've got a recipe for pure rage fuel. The idea that Keith has to "mark" Belle as his before anyone can claim her, at which point all the other guys will lose interest in her, is so disgusting that it makes reading the book about as erotic as being rubbed down with a raw chicken. Their relationship, such as it is, is a mess of toxic masculinity and horrendously outdated romance tropes. The hate-love relationship switched in literally one scene which robbed the story of any anticipation and blew any attempts at making it anything more than story-ordained instalove. Some of my personal highlights of their relationships came in the following quotes;<br />
<br />
<i>"You do not touch anybody but me, and nobody touches you." </i>Keith to Belle.<br />
<i>"Why didn't he want me?"</i> Belle, in the middle of a life-threatening trial to discover who or what she really is, when Keith says he wants to get rid of their mate-pull<br />
<i>"Mine," he growled. "You are mine."</i> Keith, channelling hs inner Christian Grey<br />
<i>"I will kill them all. She is mine. Only mine."</i> Keith, on any guy who tries to get close to <strike>his property</strike> his mate. <br />
<br />
I personally found all this revolting and outside it there's not a lot else going on in the book. I should have known what I was letting myself in for with that title. If you're looking for a straight up romance book with a bit of a paranormal twist, you may love it, but my expectations were the other way around, which meant I was often reading bored or angry. Your mileage may vary.<br />
<br />
<i> </i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lkDxDyI27MQ/VbNu5wTeIWI/AAAAAAAAAK8/mC3wzeQYyfYRxVOGsNcCPP3tWcKWd8xSwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/One%2Bstar%2B2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="263" data-original-width="263" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lkDxDyI27MQ/VbNu5wTeIWI/AAAAAAAAAK8/mC3wzeQYyfYRxVOGsNcCPP3tWcKWd8xSwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/One%2Bstar%2B2.png" /></a></div>
<i> </i>MikaylaGrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11710084738288925021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083545929548366658.post-73491168322555607162017-11-12T09:00:00.000-08:002017-11-13T07:19:09.124-08:00Sunday Street Team - This Mortal Coil<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Nm-61q3kQg/Wf-TJWNQjpI/AAAAAAAABzs/qNKb6HqaYhkADGlEM5JTZAZcOKOrr6ZMgCLcBGAs/s1600/This%2BMortal%2BCoil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="447" height="201" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Nm-61q3kQg/Wf-TJWNQjpI/AAAAAAAABzs/qNKb6HqaYhkADGlEM5JTZAZcOKOrr6ZMgCLcBGAs/s400/This%2BMortal%2BCoil.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TR48sBp9nYM/Wf-TbQHLNiI/AAAAAAAABzw/TeccpIGun7YAuclFteGvBf98xpQIaLNmwCLcBGAs/s1600/TMC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TR48sBp9nYM/Wf-TbQHLNiI/AAAAAAAABzw/TeccpIGun7YAuclFteGvBf98xpQIaLNmwCLcBGAs/s320/TMC.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Catarina Agatta is a hacker. She can cripple mainframes and crash through firewalls, but that’s not what makes her special. In Cat’s world, people are implanted with technology to recode their DNA, allowing them to change their bodies in any way they want. And Cat happens to be a gene-hacking genius.<br /><br />That’s no surprise, since Cat’s father is Dr. Lachlan Agatta, a legendary geneticist who may be the last hope for defeating a plague that has brought humanity to the brink of extinction. But during the outbreak, Lachlan was kidnapped by a shadowy organization called Cartaxus, leaving Cat to survive the last two years on her own.<br /><br />When a Cartaxus soldier, Cole, arrives with news that her father has been killed, Cat’s instincts tell her it’s just another Cartaxus lie. But Cole also brings a message: before Lachlan died, he managed to create a vaccine, and Cole needs Cat’s help to release it and save the human race.<br /><br />Now Cat must decide who she can trust: The soldier with secrets of his own? The father who made her promise to hide from Cartaxus at all costs? In a world where nature itself can be rewritten, how much can she even trust herself? </i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33876440-this-mortal-coil" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33876440-this-mortal-coil" border="0" data-original-height="43" data-original-width="132" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wyScW9xa0WQ/Wf-T-4sOjTI/AAAAAAAABz4/hq9M20XMznMFrCQf18k-Td5xuGhKt604ACLcBGAs/s1600/add-to-goodreads-button31.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/This-Mortal-Coil/dp/B076M8D79V/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1509136316&sr=1-1&keywords=this+mortal+coil" target="_blank">Amazon - US</a> | <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/this-mortal-coil-emily-suvada/1125685798?ean=9781481496339#/" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> | <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/This-Mortal-Coil/9780141379272" target="_blank">The Book Depository</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span book="" span="" style="font-family: "indie flower";">About the author</span></b></div>
<br />
Emily Suvada was born and raised in Australia, where she went on to study mathematics and astrophysics. She previously worked as a data scientist, and still spends hours writing algorithms to perform tasks which would only take minutes to complete on her own. When not writing, she can be found hiking, cycling, and conducting chemistry experiments in her kitchen. She currently lives in Portland, OR, with her husband. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i> </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://emilysuvada.com/" target="_blank">Blog</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/emilysuvada" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16320871.Emily_Suvada" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/emilysuvada" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/emily.suvada/" target="_blank">Instagram</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span book="" span="" style="font-family: "indie flower";">Ten things Emily Suvada would tell her past self when she first started writing</span></b></div>
<br />
<b>#1 - Don’t write what you think people want to read!</b><br />
This one is SO important. If you try to write to the market, or to what you think people will want to read or buy, you’ll never find your own voice, and your work will probably be out-of-date. If a book takes a year to write and sell, it’ll probably be at least another year before it’s released - sometimes two. That’s up to three years between an idea and its publication. By that time, any trend you were chasing when you started will be over. You also won’t be able to find your own voice if you’re trying to match the tone or focus of the market, or what you think people want to read. I sat down and wrote This Mortal Coil and accepted from the beginning that it could be a tough sell - it’s a wild book - but that allowed me to really find my voice and have fun with it. If I’d done this years ago, when I started writing, maybe I could have saved myself some time!<br />
<br />
<b>#2 - Industrial-grade earmuffs are your friend.</b><br />
I find noise really distracting while writing, so I often write with white noise tracks playing through headphones. When I need silence, I wear the kind of earmuffs that people use while operating heavy machinery! They’re pretty cheap, too - and comfortable!<br />
<br />
<b>#3 - Critique partners and groups are the best!</b><br />
The two most important things you can do for your writing are giving critique, and seeking it out. Giving critique is a magical thing - you often notice weaknesses in other people’s writing that you then realize are in your own, even though you hadn’t noticed them before! It’s extremely illuminating, and sharpens your ability to edit your own work. Receiving critique can be tough at first, but it’s a crucial step to take and become comfortable with. You’ll be amazed at how deeply other people can understand what you’re trying to accomplish with your work - often they can see it more clearly than you! So many of the best parts of my writing came about through suggestions from my critique partners and later, my agent and editors. <br />
<br />
<b>#4 - Other writers don’t bite!</b><br />
If you’re part of an online writing community, either on social media or another platform, you’ve probably admired other writers from afar - both published and aspiring. Generally speaking - writers are very friendly and love to connect with other people who share their interests! They’ll probably love you reaching out to them, and may even offer advice or become your friend. This can make you feel like a real part of the community and help your motivation.<br />
<br />
<b>#5 - There are so many incredible people in the writing community to learn from.</b><br />
Following on from #4, even if you’re not comfortable interacting with writers, being part of the community online is still important. There are discussions taking place in YA twitter every day about important issues that are shaping the landscape of the childrens’ book world - making it an inclusive, diverse and meaningful space for all readers, while also highlighting ways to help independent booksellers, libraries, and offering advice for authors in this fast-changing digital world. There are authors and community members whose combined voices offer an education that can’t be found anywhere else. Follow them, learn from them, and support their work and their books!<br />
<br />
<b>#6 - Find your tools!</b><br />
There is more to life than Microsoft Word. Try out different writing software, like Scrivener, and look into distraction-free software and tools. Try drafting or editing on paper. Your writing methods can have a big effect on your craft - so try as many methods as possible!<br />
<b><br />#7 - Don’t edit while you’re drafting.</b><br />
Drafting is not editing. Drafting is drafting. Edit once you have a draft. If you’re only going to listen to one point on this list - make it this one. You’ll thank me!<br />
<b><br />#8 - Be prepared to keep secrets for a looooong time</b><br />
Publishing is a long, slow process, full of secrets that you’re not allowed to share. Deals fall through, titles change, books are altered and delayed. Sometimes contracts can just take a really, really long time to get signed. Some secrets - like a new book deal, a cover, or exciting film or foreign rights news - can feel like they’re going to make you explode, but part of being a professional writer is keeping your lips sealed. It’s not easy.<br />
<br />
<b>#9 - Celebrate when you can!</b><br />
Following on from #8 - in this industry, it often won’t feel totally right to celebrate exciting news. Deals might come together slowly, with constant risk of them falling through. Do you celebrate when you strike a deal, when you sign your contract - or when you announce? Do you celebrate sending the book off to copyedits? What about first pass pages? There are so many small milestones, none of which might feel “big” enough to pop open champagne for. My advice is to go with those mini champagne bottles, or fancy desserts, or take-out - celebrating whenever you can. You’re only going to debut once, so enjoy it!<br />
<br />
<b>#10 - People are going to love your book one day, and it’s going to blow your mind.</b><br />
No, really. People are going to read your book, and some of them are going to “get” it, and love it, and talk about it. There is no preparing you for this feeling. I didn’t know I could have so much love for so many people. Putting this book into the world and seeing people connect with it has transformed my life. I feel like my heart has grown a thousand times, trying to fit so many wonderful readers into it. There’s nothing quite like it - it’s what writers live for!<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span book="" span="" style="font-family: "indie flower";">Giveaway</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="c3165933117" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/c3165933117/" id="rcwidget_094txd7d" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>
</div>
MikaylaGrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11710084738288925021noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083545929548366658.post-80550107675384606022017-11-05T14:26:00.000-08:002017-11-05T14:28:34.822-08:00An Enchantment of Ravens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMQSoEw33TM/Va_PhfLIGeI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Oy2p9DGeu-geYdeQrifGqvePgat_czyXACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Fancypants%2Bbanner%2B-%2BCopy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="1500" height="116" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMQSoEw33TM/Va_PhfLIGeI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Oy2p9DGeu-geYdeQrifGqvePgat_czyXACPcBGAYYCw/s320/Fancypants%2Bbanner%2B-%2BCopy.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TLnxbbYmzD4/WfEIevEBM1I/AAAAAAAABzM/7DmkiE5_8bUB3FH3BGukgaogrgjXDxdxwCLcBGAs/s1600/ravens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TLnxbbYmzD4/WfEIevEBM1I/AAAAAAAABzM/7DmkiE5_8bUB3FH3BGukgaogrgjXDxdxwCLcBGAs/s400/ravens.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Isobel is a prodigy portrait artist with a dangerous set of clients: the sinister fair folk, immortal creatures who cannot bake bread, weave cloth, or put a pen to paper without crumbling to dust. They crave human Craft with a terrible thirst, and Isobel’s paintings are highly prized among them. But when she receives her first royal patron—Rook, the autumn prince—she makes a terrible mistake. She paints mortal sorrow in his eyes – a weakness that could cost him his life.<br /><br />Furious and devastated, Rook spirits her away to the autumnlands to stand trial for her crime. Waylaid by the Wild Hunt’s ghostly hounds, the tainted influence of the Alder King, and hideous monsters risen from barrow mounds, Isobel and Rook depend on one another for survival. Their alliance blossoms into trust, then love, violating the fair folks’ ruthless Good Law. There's only one way to save both their lives, Isobel must drink from the Green Well, whose water will transform her into a fair one—at the cost of her Craft, for immortality is as stagnant as it is timeless.<br /><br />Isobel has a choice: she can sacrifice her art for a future, or arm herself with paint and canvas against the ancient power of the fairy courts. Because secretly, her Craft represents a threat the fair folk have never faced in all the millennia of their unchanging lives: for the first time, her portraits have the power to make them feel.</i></div>
<br />
I've been dying to get my hands on An Enchantment of Ravens for a while now. I absolutely loved the concept and it sounded like if offered more than enough twists on some of the fantasy genre staples. And it absolutely delivered! It reads like a beautiful fairytale, but it doesn't take long for the cracks to show themselves and reveal a darkness below the surface. Rather like the story's "fair folk", who hide their repulsive true forms beneath a facade of beauty and youth, there's more here than meets the eye.<br />
<br />
In recent years, faeries seem to have undergone the same nice guy makeovers as vampires. Far from being the monstrous creatures of myth, they're now portrayed as misunderstood, smoldering love interests whose possessive nature is passed off as romantic. For someone who grew up on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, believe me when I say vampires used to be cool. Ever since Twilight however, they've been something of a joke in pop culture; reduced to a punchline.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="252" src="https://giphy.com/embed/Qi9y4G3xDpzWw" width="480"></iframe><br /></div>
<br />
This story takes the fae back to their roots. Little details, like Rook not considering the fact that Isobel needs to eat or she'll die, and Isobel's early fae patron Gadfly talking about seeing a mortal "just the other day", when the man in question has in fact been dead for over 300 years, bring a realism that's sorely lacking in most fae-centric fantasy books. We're talking about a 17 year old human (because they're always 17!) and a centuries old faery, and more often than not the only reference authors give to their differences is bright eyes, pointy ear and maybe the odd fang. So I loved the realism in this book - if it can be called such a thing! The author has clearly done her research. There's a lot of inspiration from celtic mythology, but it goes far beyond character and place names. The concept of faeries as inhuman tricksters who are little more than withered corpses behind their glamour is pure old-school mythology and I loved it. I'm sick to the back teeth of fantasy novels romanticising faeries as a bundle of bulging biceps, smoldering eyes and toxic masculinity. After a glut of popular novels following this formula, An Enchantment of Ravens feels fresh.<br />
<br />
Sure, the world-building does feel undeniably thin - there's so much that is mentioned in passing that practically begs to be explored - and the pacing of the story is lean almost to a fault, but it's nice to read a simply story told well, without feeling like the author is setting up sequels and novellas and spin-offs. I'd love to have known more about the Winter Hunt and the deliciously smarmy Hemlock, but those things wouldn't have been relevant to the story. The glimpses we do see - of a world trapped in eternal summer under the rule of the alder king and forests plagued by monstous, rotting abominations created from fae magic - offer hints of the world beyond Isobel and Rook's journey. On one hand, I really wanted to see more of it, but at the same time I admired the fact that the author focused solely on her story without getting distracted by useless side quests and pointless backstory.<br />
<br />
I loved Isobel as a character! She was smart, resourceful and brave, and her wiley tricks for dealing with the fae made the idea that she could fall in love with one all the more hard-hitting. This clearly couldn't be some childish infatuation or romantic ideal; the character was simply too grounded for that. It was interesting to see a heroine actually confront and see the grotesque reality of eternal life. Again, sorry to keep banging this drum, but many authors seem to think that trapping their character like a bug in amber, keeping them young and beautiful forever, is somehow romantic because they can't deal with the sometimes unpleasant realities of mortality and ageing. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://giphy.com/embed/6MWW3IJVKqKNW" width="480"></iframe><br /></div>
<br />
Isobel sees the chance of ageless eternity as a fate worse than death; a curse that will cost her the very thing that defines who she is and condemn her to an endless life of emptiness and detachment. It's an interesting take on the usual trope - rather than becoming a unique and special snowflake, that's exactly what Isobel doesn't want.<br />
<br />
Rook was ... okay, I guess.The standoffish autumn prince was a bit too cold and inhuman for me to get hooked on initially, but he got better as the book went on and he started to thaw. He didn't really stand out as a particularly memorable character, which made it a bit hard to understand why Isobel fell so hard for him. Still, I did like the balance he struck in being protective without being possessive. Things started to fall apart for me however about three quarters of the way through when the story turned to Isobel and Rook confessing their love for each other and having to face the consequences of breaking the Good Law. I just did not feel for one second that this pair were in love. Sure, they say it a lot, but actions speak louder than words and, save for a bit of kissing, there's nothing in the pages that made me feel anything close to love between this pair. Maybe because both are so cold - Isobel has been raised to guard her life around faeries and Rook is an inhuman being who doesn't understand basic human concepts like eating and needing to sleep. There was no heat, no passion. I enjoyed Isobel's thought process as she dealt with being in love with Rook, acknowledging how ridiculous it was, but I still didn't feel it.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="320" src="https://giphy.com/embed/26n6P4damynIUYfwA" width="480"></iframe></div>
<br />
Despite the story being the Isobel and Rook Show most of the time, the supporting characters, when they popped up, were fantastic. Isobel's goats-turned-human-thanks-to-magic little sisters, March and May, were cute, and her fae patron Gadfly was an adorably absent-minded sweetheart (before twists in the story later on revealed him to be more of a trickster than Isobel ever imagined). Gadfly's niece Lark fitted the creepy kid quota perfectly - from turning Isobel into a rabbit and treating her like an exotic pet, she reminded me of Claudia in Interview with the Vampire; cute and childlike on the outside, but turned cruel and vindictive by her resentment at being an eternal child.<br />
<br />
The ending was pretty abrupt and I'm still not sure if it set up a happy ending or not, but it was a near perfect end to a wonderful story. An Enchantment of Ravens is a whimsical fairytale that manages to feel traditional and fresh at the same time.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mK4CXLUK3J8/VapyKCkxUsI/AAAAAAAAAFg/gO3rjo55NN4bYPEETSfmsPMP0qD19zQcwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Four%2Bstars.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="134" data-original-width="524" height="81" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mK4CXLUK3J8/VapyKCkxUsI/AAAAAAAAAFg/gO3rjo55NN4bYPEETSfmsPMP0qD19zQcwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/Four%2Bstars.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
MikaylaGrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11710084738288925021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083545929548366658.post-77877331145683230602017-10-22T12:45:00.004-07:002017-10-22T12:49:05.897-07:00Godsgrave<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMQSoEw33TM/Va_PhfLIGeI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Oy2p9DGeu-geYdeQrifGqvePgat_czyXACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Fancypants%2Bbanner%2B-%2BCopy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="1500" height="116" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMQSoEw33TM/Va_PhfLIGeI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Oy2p9DGeu-geYdeQrifGqvePgat_czyXACPcBGAYYCw/s320/Fancypants%2Bbanner%2B-%2BCopy.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mYOUiUp0ZCE/WeUmc3hflbI/AAAAAAAAByw/HrjNJux7ajIzVbhjtj4rYMioPuwRn0ytACLcBGAs/s1600/Godsgrave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mYOUiUp0ZCE/WeUmc3hflbI/AAAAAAAAByw/HrjNJux7ajIzVbhjtj4rYMioPuwRn0ytACLcBGAs/s320/Godsgrave.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Assassin Mia Corvere has found her place among the Blades of Our Lady of Blessed Murder, but many in the Red Church ministry think she’s far from earned it. Plying her bloody trade in a backwater of the Republic, she’s no closer to ending Consul Scaeva and Cardinal Duomo, or avenging her familia. And after a deadly confrontation with an old enemy, Mia begins to suspect the motives of the Red Church itself.<br /><br />When it’s announced that Scaeva and Duomo will be making a rare public appearance at the conclusion of the grand games in Godsgrave, Mia defies the Church and sells herself to a gladiatorial collegium for a chance to finally end them. Upon the sands of the arena, Mia finds new allies, bitter rivals, and more questions about her strange affinity for the shadows. But as conspiracies unfold within the collegium walls, and the body count rises, Mia will be forced to choose between loyalty and revenge, and uncover a secret that could change the very face of her world. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Well, he did it. I wasn't expecting Jay Kristoff to be able to top Nevernight. Second books are often the weakest in a trilogy, and Nevernight was <i>so</i> good that Godsgrave had an even higher mountain to climb. And then, about five chapters in, I realised by scepticism was misplaced. Godsgrave is just as brilliant - maybe even better - than Nevernight. The author takes everything that was so good about the first book and expands it. The world gets bigger, the politics get more twisted and the violence gets bloodier. Everything was perfection. The world, the history, the characters, the plot, the dialogue were all individually outstanding, and together they were absolutely fucking incredible.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://giphy.com/embed/3JDKdlS9rjb7G" width="480"></iframe></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
After just scraping by her initiation into the Red Church, Mia draws closer to her ultimate goal of avenging the deaths of her family by killing their killers; Scaeva and Duomo. Unfortunately, her end differs to that of her church, and she's forced to go it alone in her quest for revenge. In order to get to Scaeva and Duomo, she has to enter - and win - Godsgrave's gladiator-esque games. By a cruel twist of fate, she finds herself enslaved in her old family home - now a gladiator/slaved training school - where she meets fellow slaves and warriors who make her bloody focus waiver ever so slightly. Mia's fellow recruits were so well written, never once feeling like cliches or plot devices. Mia's almost sisterly relationship with young healer slave Maggot was quietly touching, enough to make you believe that Mia's bloodymindedness could start to falter.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="274" src="https://giphy.com/embed/AJUB4zXLWDkZy" width="480"></iframe><br /></div>
<br />
Slave owner Leona was another stand out. While she could have been a standard antagonist or a really good bad guy undone by a sappy back story (my pet peeve!), the author managed to make her an absolute bitch, but a very human one. Constantly battling her abusive bastard of a father, Leona still bought humans to fight to the death, but there were just enough quiet scenes to show the woman behind the mask, even if I did still want to see her get her comeuppance! I was a bit disappointed that Mia's new daemon, the wolf-like Eclipse, was MIA for much of the story. She (it?) had a great back and forth with Mia's original shadowpet, Mr Kindly, but felt a bit pointless given how rarely she featured. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
While I loved Mia's sweet and tender relationship with Ash - it was the closest thing to sweet I could ever hope to find in this series! - I just couldn't get fully on board with it because I loved Tric so much in the first book. He and Mia were so good together and shared a genuine bond, so when Mia jumped into bed with the girl who killed him, there was no way I was going to ship their pairing! The sex scenes were just and graphic, hot and well-written as they were in Nevernight. Unlike some other authors, who try to be both graphic and coy and end up sounding like they're not 100% sure how sex actually works, Jay Kristoff <i>goes there</i>! I've read countless, poorly written sex scenes that refer to <i>down there</i> or people <i>reaching their peak</i> (although my personal favourite are those that refer to guys <i>roaring</i> as they climax. Can you imagine someone roaring as they came? You'd laugh your ass off!) but you don't get that here. Sex, language and violence get equal billing in Godsgrave and this book doesn't shy away from the reality of any one of them. I wasn't a huge fan of the early threesome sex scene, simply because it felt unnecessary and therefore a bit tacky. It wasn't like Mia was going for stealth - she poisoned her target and he ended up vomiting his guts up like he was in a Mortal Kombat fatality - so quite why there was a four page sex scene leading up to it instead of her just slitting his throat was beyond me. Still though, Jay Kristoff is a man who knows how to write good sex!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="240" src="https://giphy.com/embed/FE4nq0gYrw9vG" width="480"></iframe><br /></div>
<br />
There's an undeniable Gladiator-esque vibe to the book, I had high hopes
for the inevitable 'colesseum' scenes, and I was not disappointed! The
beasts Mia encountered in the arena brought genuine peril to the
proceedings; from giant worms that vomited up their entire stomachs to
six-armed, acid-spitting spider women, I was on the edge of my seat for
each and every action sequence. Even though you have more than a
sneaking suspicion that the protagonist isn't going to be killed off on
page 80, the danger feels real and the stakes feel suitably high. I did
wonder how Scaeva hadn't been assassinated earlier, given how easily Mia's
frenemy Ash was able to sneak around poisoning wine and hiding weapons
in the arena. <br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It's hard not to give too much away, but the story was so, so good! It built on all the best element from book one, expanding the world and history through the new characters Mia meets. The
footnotes peppered through the main story linking to supplementary
world info and history were carried over from Nevernight, and I personally
love them. I guess I could agree with some people who say they're a lazy way of conveying information rather than incorporating it into the chapters, but most of it enhances the story rather fits into it. The notes explained legends, imparted sarcastic wisdom from the
narrator and shaded in the details of Godsgrave's history, and they can be
skipped without detracting from the main story if you're not into them. Just don't go into this book expecting everything to come up sunshine and rainbows. The story, the world, the characters are all brutal and no punches are pulled in showing exactly what this means. There's a borderline cute scene where Mia and her fellow, terrified new recruit prepare to enter the arena for the first time. In a moment of uncharacteristic softness, she holds his hand, tells him to stick with her and, just for a moment, you think they're going to be okay. And then the lad immediately gets shot in the neck and dies. Yeah, sweetness and light, it ain't!</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And the ending ... 'byss and blood, the ending!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="294" src="https://giphy.com/embed/Ax1JUM9QI942Y" width="480"></iframe><br /></div>
<br />
I don't think I've ever anticipated a sequel this much in my life! Jay Kristoff is a master storyteller and the king of cliffhangers.<br />
<i> </i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i> </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j8arYnWV4eU/VavFbvPp5MI/AAAAAAAAAGw/3kQc3DIHTVgVFolI-rKVwI9226dskLnxwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Five%2Bstars.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="135" data-original-width="655" height="65" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j8arYnWV4eU/VavFbvPp5MI/AAAAAAAAAGw/3kQc3DIHTVgVFolI-rKVwI9226dskLnxwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/Five%2Bstars.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> </i></div>
MikaylaGrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11710084738288925021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083545929548366658.post-43666443762406557862017-10-15T11:42:00.002-07:002017-10-15T11:43:36.425-07:00Sunday Street Team - Brooding YA Hero<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3e8l3ijFv4Q/WdpT4qY6a7I/AAAAAAAABxc/L50_De8kyqYHbUuQbP7yuX0I-jDXqjI7wCLcBGAs/s1600/Broody.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="456" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3e8l3ijFv4Q/WdpT4qY6a7I/AAAAAAAABxc/L50_De8kyqYHbUuQbP7yuX0I-jDXqjI7wCLcBGAs/s1600/Broody.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XeaCczOhn0U/WdpUQPcd3RI/AAAAAAAABxg/oEdbfw_h3VgJEOqzE6KYGrgOoT27AXI_ACLcBGAs/s1600/SST%2BBanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="293" data-original-width="300" height="195" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XeaCczOhn0U/WdpUQPcd3RI/AAAAAAAABxg/oEdbfw_h3VgJEOqzE6KYGrgOoT27AXI_ACLcBGAs/s200/SST%2BBanner.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Sunday Street Team is the brainchild of the very lovely Nori over at <a href="http://readwritelove28.com/" target="_blank">Read Write Love</a>,
shining the spotlight on new releases by new authors. For the October
edition, I was super excited to get the opportunity to review Brooding YA Hero: Becoming a Main Character (almost) as Awesome as Me. If you're into YA and you're on Twitter, you can't not have heard of this guy! I've been following Brooding YA Hero (aka Broody McHottiepants) on Twitter for a long time, alternating between laughing, rolling my eyes and laughing and exclaiming "thank you!" loudly at my phone screen for a while now, so I jumped at the chance to get my hands on a review copy of "his" book. Thanks to co-organisers Nori and Aditi for letting me be
part of this tour! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span book="" span="" style="font-family: "indie flower";">The Book</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Izy80DXeNxw/WdpVfy-CR-I/AAAAAAAABxk/HxCQMQTNdSkKs2OUuWxJsttvn2nGMRzYgCLcBGAs/s1600/33799449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="312" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Izy80DXeNxw/WdpVfy-CR-I/AAAAAAAABxk/HxCQMQTNdSkKs2OUuWxJsttvn2nGMRzYgCLcBGAs/s320/33799449.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Ever wished you could receive a little guidance from your favorite book boyfriend? <br />
Or maybe you're just really confused about what "opal-tinted, luminous cerulean orbs" actually are?<br />
<br />
Well, popular Twitter personality @broodingYAhero is here to help as he tackles the final frontier in his media dominance: writing a book. Join Broody McHottiepants as he attempts to pen Brooding YA Hero: Becoming a Main Character (Almost) as Awesome as Me, a "self-help" guide (with activities--you always need activities) that lovingly pokes fun at the YA tropes that we roll our eyes at, but secretly love. <br />
<br />
As his nefarious ex, Blondie DeMeani, attempts to thwart him at every turn, Broody overcomes to detail, among other topics, how to choose your genre, his secret formula for guaranteed love triangle success, and how to make sure you secure that sequel, all while keeping his hair perfectly coiffed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34570455-brooding-ya-hero" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34570455-brooding-ya-hero " border="0" data-original-height="43" data-original-width="132" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R2qAFbm9OL4/WdpWO0vVOdI/AAAAAAAABxo/RziWCLH94DgeKB0-5NaMTxi7DYCsV_36wCLcBGAs/s1600/add-to-goodreads-button31.png" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span book="" span="" style="font-family: "indie flower";">The Author</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Carrie Ann DiRisio is a YA writer and creator of @BroodingYAHero. She lives in Pittsburgh, PA with one large fluffy cat, and is currently pursuing her masters in business, although her true dream is to become a Disney Villainess, complete with a really snazzy gown. In addition to writing and plans for world domination, she also enjoys running, coffee, Krav Maga, and knitting.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span book="" span="" style="font-family: "indie flower";">The Review</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
There's a pretty simple way to work out if this book is for you or not. Go and check out @BroodingYAHero on Twitter. Did you laugh? Then get this book!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I love YA books and I love YA tropes, but I also love people giving them a poke in the ribs every now and then because, let's be honest, they deserve it. Don't get me wrong, they're fun to read, but they're also cliche as hell and potentially quite damaging. Good YA books take these tropes and turn them on their head, or blend them into a story with other elements. Bad YA books simply put them in order and then write a plot around them. If you're anything like me, you'll be pinpointing which books the author is referencing as you read.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>A lake, a mirror, your sword ... any surface can be used to sneak in some adjectives used to remind the reader of your beauty.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
If there's one thing this book can't be accused of, it's taking itself seriously! But of course the hero of the piece, the guy standing front and centre of the cliches - no matter how much the book blurb tries to sell its strong female protagonist - is Broody himself. Or Broody McHottiepants, as the author has christened him.<br />
<i></i></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<i>Some Broody features come standard. These include; angst about my past,
casual misogyny, a deep love of my own self importance, and really nice
hair.</i><br />
<br />
<i><i>My workout routine includes eyebrow lifts, leaping over plot holes,
high-jumping to conclusions, bench-pressing my emotions to make them
easier to suppress, and climbing up cliffs I've been left hanging on. </i> </i> <br />
<br />
Even though the book was mostly for fun, I loved that the author wasn't afraid to call out some of the more damaging and dismissive cliches in YA, like killing off minority side characters and describing people's ethnicity in relations to food. There are so many laugh out loud truths !<br />
<br />
<span class="readable" id="reviewTextContainer2081070351"><span id="freeTextContainer15097041415190955344"><i>“Did
I do something wrong?” Well. That was a given. He usually did at least
fifteen things wrong per book, but only in a swoony, romantic way, where
all could be fixed when he took off his shirt.</i></span></span> <br />
<br />
The reason I don't give this book the full five stars is because I did struggle to get through the whole thing. There's no denying though that what worked so well in tweet form doesn't
translate quite so well into a full book. At least with Very British
Problems, the "books" are little more than novelties that are just
tweet-length gems. Here, the author attempts to mix the Twitter
soundbites with an actual sort-of story, as Broody attempts to write his
own book while obliviously living every YA trope in existence. Either
one of these approaches could have worked on their own, but the two
together don't blend all that well. <br />
<br />
Whether you love or hate YA cliches, you'll find something to enjoy in this book. Much truth tea is spilled and plenty of bestselling authors are not so subtley shaded. You'll have plenty of entertainment picking which barbs are aimed where! I found myself laughing in agreement on more than one occasion (which as awkward when I was reading in a cafe or on public transport). A must-read for fans and detractors of brooding YA heroes!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mK4CXLUK3J8/VapyKCkxUsI/AAAAAAAAAFg/gO3rjo55NN4bYPEETSfmsPMP0qD19zQcwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Four%2Bstars.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="134" data-original-width="524" height="81" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mK4CXLUK3J8/VapyKCkxUsI/AAAAAAAAAFg/gO3rjo55NN4bYPEETSfmsPMP0qD19zQcwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/Four%2Bstars.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
MikaylaGrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11710084738288925021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083545929548366658.post-83556750318149226692017-10-03T16:08:00.001-07:002017-10-03T16:08:21.289-07:00Savage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WoTYp_ZAgXA/WdFHYHB70EI/AAAAAAAABwo/svoD6mEqBYIeWWkti78YoDVEqs_kbXxhgCLcBGAs/s1600/SavageTour.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="500" height="166" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WoTYp_ZAgXA/WdFHYHB70EI/AAAAAAAABwo/svoD6mEqBYIeWWkti78YoDVEqs_kbXxhgCLcBGAs/s400/SavageTour.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span book="" span="" style="font-family: "indie flower";">The Book</span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JqY0EMdn6rY/WdFJYbUPDXI/AAAAAAAABw8/dT7lgWYRnnoPM-lin54B6e2sa7OnybyKACLcBGAs/s1600/Savage%2BCover.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="320" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JqY0EMdn6rY/WdFJYbUPDXI/AAAAAAAABw8/dT7lgWYRnnoPM-lin54B6e2sa7OnybyKACLcBGAs/s320/Savage%2BCover.png" width="204" /></a></div>
Savage (Dragonrider Legacy #1)<br />
by Nicole Conway<br />
Publication Date: September 26, 2017<br />
Publisher: Month9Books<br />
<br />
<b>Savage begins the Dragonrider Legacy series, a thrilling companion to the international bestselling Dragonrider Chronicles.</b><br />
<br />
Never send a hero to do a monster’s job.<br />
<br />
Forty years have passed since Jaevid Broadfeather brought peace to Maldobar and Luntharda. But that fragile truce will be tested as darkness gathers on the horizon. The vicious armies of the Tibran Empire have crossed the far seas and are threatening to destroy Maldobar completely. Not even the dragonriders can match the Tibran war machines. And after an attempt to awaken Jaevid from his divine sleep fails, the fate of Maldobar is looking grim.<br />
<br />
Reigh has never known what it means to be a normal human. Raised amongst the gray elves in the wild jungle of Luntharda, he’s tried everything to fit in. But the dark power within him is bursting at the seams—refusing to be silenced. And while his adoptive father, Kiran, insists this power must be kept secret, Reigh knows he’s running out of time.<br />
<br />
As Maldobar burns, the world is desperate for a new hero. Destiny has called, and one boy will rise to answer.<br />
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="375">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
QFormat="true" Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hashtag"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Unresolved Mention"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Nicole_Conway_Savage?id=aOEkDwAAQBAJ&hl=en">Google
Play</a> | <a href="http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Savage/Nicole-Conway/9781946700469?id=7020344669460">BAM</a>
| <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/savage/9781946700469-item.html?ikwid=savage+by+nicole+conway&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0">Chapters</a>
| <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781946700469">Indies</a> | <a href="http://a.co/cQ08Dyl">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/savage-nicole-conway/1126450504?ean=9781946700469">B&N</a>
| <a href="https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/savage-37">Kobo</a> | <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Savage-Nicole-Conway/9781946700469?ref=grid-view&qid=1506269338452&sr=1-1">TBD</a>
| <a href="https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/book/savage/id1245348334?mt=11">iBooks</a></span><br />
<br />
<b><span book="" span="" style="font-family: "indie flower";">The Author
</span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-avkv1aUZa3w/WdFINiwQG9I/AAAAAAAABww/YykC2kNGYEMm-qAhb42HilzMueAh7hPXQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Nicole-Conway-298x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="298" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-avkv1aUZa3w/WdFINiwQG9I/AAAAAAAABww/YykC2kNGYEMm-qAhb42HilzMueAh7hPXQCEwYBhgL/s200/Nicole-Conway-298x300.jpg" width="198" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US">Nicole is the author of the children’s
fantasy series, THE DRAGONRIDER CHRONICLES, about a young boy’s journey into
manhood as he trains to become a dragonrider. She has completed the first two
books in the series, and is now working on the third and final book.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">
Originally from a small town in North Alabama, Nicole moves frequently due to
her husband’s career as a pilot for the United States Air Force. She received a
B.A. in English with a concentration in Classics from Auburn University, and
will soon attend graduate school. She has previously worked as a freelance and graphic artist for promotional
companies, but has now embraced writing as a full-time occupation.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br />
Nicole enjoys hiking, camping, shopping, cooking, and spending time with her family
and friends. She also loves watching children’s movies and collecting books.
She lives at home with her husband, two cats, and dog.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://anconway422.wix.com/anconway" target="_blank">Website</a> • <a href="http://www.twitter.com/ANConway" target="_blank">Twitter</a> • <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JaevidDragonriderChronicles" target="_blank">Facebook</a> • <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6498865.Nicole_Conway" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span book="" span="" style="font-family: "indie flower";">The Review</span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMQSoEw33TM/Va_PhfLIGeI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Oy2p9DGeu-geYdeQrifGqvePgat_czyXACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Fancypants%2Bbanner%2B-%2BCopy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="1500" height="116" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMQSoEw33TM/Va_PhfLIGeI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Oy2p9DGeu-geYdeQrifGqvePgat_czyXACPcBGAYYCw/s320/Fancypants%2Bbanner%2B-%2BCopy.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Savage is an ambitious novel for sure! It covers warring kingdoms, elves, dragons (and their human riders), prophecy, dark magic, shadow wolves, royal politics and more, all told from the pov of a teenage human raised by elves. That's a lot for a first book in a series to cover, but with so much happening, you can pretty much guarantee to not be bored, but it's a testament to the author's storytelling that you won't be confused either.<br />
<br />
The writing style is, across the board, great; descriptive enough to build the world and characters easily, but not affected enough to be distracting or annoying. Nicole Conway manages to build one heck of a world in a first book, populating it with otherworldly creatures and building it with royal politics and history. The one niggling problem I had though was with Reigh's narration. He talks like a 90s California surfer - talking about things sucking, missions being bogus - and it jars with the more traditional fantasy language of all the other characters, like the author wrote a contemporary character and put him in a fantasy novel. <br />
<br />
As for Reigh himself though - despite a few eye rolls at his dialogue - I grew to love him s a character. He was a good mix of determined, hot-headed and brave, but he did have a tendency to be stubborn to a fault, and sometimes downright idiotic. In short though, he felt real. I have to say though, his woe-is-me about his dark magic felt a bit disingenuous at times. He constantly professed to be unable to control his mysterious dark power, but he's shown several time to be in complete control. Noh - the wolf-like form his dark magic often takes - obeys Reigh without question. It's not until nearly three quarters of the way through the book that we finally see an instance of Reigh losing control of his magic. I would have liked to have seen more of Noh and exactly what he was capable of doing (Reigh has a tendency to pass out when Noh goes to work), but I guess that's material for book two!<br />
<br />
Reigh's adopted, grey-elf "father", Kiran, was one of my favourite characters. Always putting himself out and going out of his way to raise his idiot son right, he was a wonderful character. It probably helped that I kept picturing this healer/hunter/tracker as Orlando Bloom in Lord of the Rings! Elsewhere, the human dragonrider Princess Jenna was brilliant! The dragons entered the story pretty late considering the book has one on the cover, but Jenna's struggle to be accepted as a fighting female was nicely touched on. It's a shame this book didn't focus on her! Reigh's elf friend Enyo fares less well though, relegated to the best friend/love interest role.<br />
<br />
The story was excellent, even if there was a bit much going on. However, I have to admit, this book wrong footed me more than once. I was
so sure I saw a twist about Reigh's true identity coming, but the
author spun this a completely different way, snatching back my attention - and wiping the smug, 'saw-it-coming' smile from my face - having me devouring pages right up until the end. There's plenty here that makes me want to come back for book two!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mK4CXLUK3J8/VapyKCkxUsI/AAAAAAAAAFg/gO3rjo55NN4bYPEETSfmsPMP0qD19zQcwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Four%2Bstars.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="134" data-original-width="524" height="81" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mK4CXLUK3J8/VapyKCkxUsI/AAAAAAAAAFg/gO3rjo55NN4bYPEETSfmsPMP0qD19zQcwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/Four%2Bstars.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span book="" span="" style="font-family: "indie flower";">The Giveaway</span></b></div>
<br />
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="c08c9e8e646" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/c08c9e8e646/" id="rcwidget_cqevk7uo" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MVNvUsjAWng/WdFJ2wauf2I/AAAAAAAABxA/lJ4OmRFMHY0n3oy_j4dzrMUYe-2yeatjACLcBGAs/s1600/Chapter-by-Chapter-blog-tour-button.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="245" data-original-width="247" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MVNvUsjAWng/WdFJ2wauf2I/AAAAAAAABxA/lJ4OmRFMHY0n3oy_j4dzrMUYe-2yeatjACLcBGAs/s1600/Chapter-by-Chapter-blog-tour-button.png" /></a></div>
<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>
MikaylaGrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11710084738288925021noreply@blogger.com2