By: Gina Rosati
Published by: Roaring Book Press/ MacTeen
Released on: August 7th, 2012
Source: ARC from author to review
4.5 Stars: I Really Enjoyed It!
Purchase from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
16 year old Anna Rogan has a secret she's only shared with her best friend, Rei; she can astrally project out of her body, allowing her spirit to explore the world and the far reaches of the universe.
When there's a fatal accident and her classmate Taylor takes over Anna's body, what was an exhilarating distraction from her repressive home life threatens to become a permanent state. Faced with a future trapped in another dimension, Anna turns to Rei for help. Now the two of them must find a way to get Anna back into her body and stop Taylor from accusing an innocent friend of murder. Together Anna and Rei form a plan but it doesn't take into account the deeper feelings that are beginning to grow between them -quoted from Goodreads
What an exciting blend of paranormal elements, suspense, romance, and plenty of action packed moments. AURACLE is a breath of fresh air and a book I thoroughly enjoyed spending time reading. I've read little books that have astral projection, and I what Gina introduced me was both intriguing and mesmerizing.
One of the things I loved about this book was the fact that Gina explains Anna's ability to astral project. She made it so I not only understand how Anna was able to do this, but she created this whole different world where Anna went, what it was like, and what she did there. It was completely believable to me, and I loved the way Gina developed this part of her story. It's not something she mentions once, and then moves forward with the story. Instead Anna's ability plays a huge role in what happens in this exciting plot line, and the further I got into the story the more I learned about all she can do. I liked seeing all the pros and cons to have this talent/gift that Anna has.
Character wise, wow, I was a bit surprised with how much I loved Anna. This girl is witty, brought the humor to the book's more dramatic moments, and she's someone who I came to admire. She's a very strong girl who's trying to rise above all that she has to deal with at home. With an alcoholic father, and a mother who's often gone, Gina made it incredibly easy for me to sympathize with Anna. With that, she also allowed me to understand why Anna used her ability to escape her home life, even though her best friend Rei was so adamant she not do so, so often. Gina's realistic portrayal of Anna's dysfunctional family life truly was heartbreaking to read about, and made me that much more relieved she had Rei in her life.
Oh the romance. Seriously, I loved what developed between Rei and Anna. These two bring out the snark, witty come backs and that sigh worthy character chemistry. You know the one I'm talking about. It's the, "we've been friends since we were toddlers, boy next door, we do everything together, but now all the sudden I've noticed how hot you are and though we've never talked about it's obvious we both are falling for each other even though everyone else things we're already secretly dating, and we're perfect for each other and confide in each other about almost everything and I know you're always there for me" kind of relationship. It was was developed perfectly, complete with the back story of how they became friends, and why Rei, Anna and their best friend Seth are still just as close now as they were when they were kids. I loved it. Their relationship was solid and had substance. I wasn't just told about it, Gina showed me their relationship through the way she wrote about it.
Oh Rei! Really, many of us will be wishing we grew up next door or lived a few houses down from a Rei when we were teens, and if you are a teen, then hopefully you'll have a Rei who lives close to you. This boy isn't just hot as Anna says he is, he's sincere, real, down to earth and just one of those all around amazing guys. He is the type of boy us moms want our daughters to bring home. Oh crap, did I just say that out loud!? Okay, yes he's hot, he's a guy and I'm sure he can be a little um naughty, but he's not in this book. He's supportive, protective, smart, athletic, intelligent, loyal, and a character I completely loved getting to know. The relationship and chemistry Anna and Rei have is oh so refreshing, and exciting. It's one I think many YA readers are going to love.
With AURACLE, Gina gave me a solid story line, a lovely romance, unforgettable characters, and she did an amazing job with her world building. I also liked how the different family roles all played a huge part in the type of characters Anna, Rei, Seth and even the villain, Taylor are. It was wonderful to get to understand each of them in their own way and own time. And oh how I love this cover and the significance is has with the story. This cover fits this book perfectly! That's all I can say about it without giving anything away. I definitely recommend picking this book up today!
********
The giveaway: Thank you to Gina, I have a SIGNED ARC of AURACLE, and two goodie bags (both are filled with a signed book mark, a button, magnet and bracelet) to giveaway. The 1st winner will receive the signed ARC and the goody bag, and the 2nd winner will receive the goody bag. The 1 goody bag giveaway is open internationally.
To enter, please fill out this form below:
I would love to give this book to my daughter
ReplyDeleteOh, yay, I'm so glad you liked this book!:D It sounds very original and the fact that Anna is a witty, strong characters is a big bonus for me! (I've had enough of dull, whiny girls in paranormal romance.LOL). And I always LOVE snarky comebacks!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the giveaway!<3
It's such an awesome debut! I can't wait to read more books for Gina. I think you'll really like Anna. She's strong in a variety of ways, but what she endures at home definitely makes her an independently strong women. She's definitely not whiney.
DeleteYou're so welcome! Good luck!
This sounds really good. I haven't read many books with astral projection and I love that this was a good solid read for you. Awesome review!
ReplyDeleteThank you Kim! It's a fabulous read and I love that it contained elements I wasn't familiar with. It made for an exciting read.
DeleteThanks for the cool giveaway :D Hope I win.
ReplyDelete-Dannielle
Been looking forward to this release for MONTHS!!!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever read a book about astral projection, so I'm really interested to read this. Also, I adore that cover. Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteI hadn't either, which is one of the things that really intrigued with this book. I hope you enjoy it. The cover is awesome! It's a perfect fit for the story.
DeleteI'm dying for this book!! Thanks for the giveaway :D
ReplyDeleteGood luck! You're welcome ;)
DeleteGtreat giveaway! !! Have a great weekend
ReplyDeleteThank you, and you as well!
DeleteWould love to win and review this book :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance :)
You're welcome!
DeleteI've heard so many great things about this book. I can't wait to read the paranormal aspect behind it, and I love that cover.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting an awesome giveaway :)
You're welcome. It's definitely worth picking up!
DeleteSounds really good. I'd love to read it. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!
Deletehope i win!!
ReplyDeleteAh! This book has been on my TBR list for far too long! Thank you for the opportunity to win!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great concept! And I love how the romance between them is based on friendship! They're my favorite types:)
ReplyDeleteThank you:)
I loved the relationship in this book and how it bloomed into a romance. It was so perfectly crafted. I think you'll love it.
DeleteThis book was incluced in my Waiting on Wednesday a few weeks ago so it's definitely clear that I'm excited for this book. Thank you for this giveaway by the way :)
ReplyDeleteSiiri
You're so welcome!! Good luck!
DeleteI love the sound of this. Its intriguing!! Thanks for the chance. (Entered as Natalie Cleary)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! It's definitely an intriguing read.
DeleteI've seen the cover but not seen a review of this. Thanks for letting us know how good this is and offering the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great review! I can't wait to read this : ) Thanks for the giveaway!!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome and thank you for the review compliment!
DeleteThis book looks great. I love the cover. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteThanks for a great post and giveaway! This book sounds awesome :)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! It's definitely an awesome read
DeleteThanks for sharing the review! I've been looking forward to reading this and I love that it's about astral projection. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! It's a fabulous debut. I think you'll really enjoy it and Gina's writing. :)
DeleteI'm so excited for this one and I love the cover!
ReplyDeleteI seriously love this cover! The designer did an amazing job with it.
DeleteThis book looks awesome. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. Good luck ;)
DeleteThank you for this awesome giveaway! :D
ReplyDeleteHOLY! Sounds like an amazing book! Why the 4.5 rating? What about it dosen't deserve a 5 rating? (just curious)
ReplyDeleteWow, I can't wait to read it! Thanks so much for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteI love this cover. It's so pretty. I'm excited to read this one!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds good! Thank you for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds so interesting! Thanks for the giveaway! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the awesome giveaway!!
ReplyDeleteThis book has boon on my TBR since one month i heard about it last month... :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like such a great read!!! Thanks for the chance to win
ReplyDeleteEeeeeee I LOVED this book :D It was so good. I'm glad to see you enjoyed it as well!
ReplyDeleteAnna @ Literary Exploration
Sounds like my kinda read
ReplyDeleteearthdancedaph@yahoo.com
The book sounds good. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteLoved your review. Can't wait to read this book!!
ReplyDeleteI can not wait to read this book!! That cover is simply beautiful!
ReplyDeletethanks 4 the giveaway!!! cant wait to read this!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!!
ReplyDeleteLovely cover. Can't wait for this book. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear family played an important role. You don't get to see that too often in YA books.
ReplyDeleteSound like a great book and can't wait for it to be out...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway. I really cannot wait to read this book!
ReplyDeletegreat review...and thanks for this amazing chance to win this book
ReplyDeleteAuracle sounds like a very good book :)
ReplyDeleteAuracle sounds amazing! Can't wait to read. Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
ReplyDeleteAuracle sounds so good. Thanks for sharing your review and thanks for the giveaway as well.
ReplyDeleteI want to read Auracle so badly! It's been on my TBR list for quite a while. Thanks for the review and giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI have really been wanting to read this book! Thank you so much for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this giveaway! I've been dying to read Auracle for awhile now!!
ReplyDeleteI don`t even know how long I was waiting and squirming in my bed for this book to finally come out :D
ReplyDeleteSuper cool giveaway, thank you!
Thank you so so much for this giveaway :D
ReplyDeleteBeen wanting to read this book awhile now.
ReplyDeleteThis cover is amazing! It caught my attention immediately. I'm so excited to read this! Thanks for giving us this opportunity :)
ReplyDeleteI would love to give this book to my younger sister, who is obsessed with reading. I'm trying to encourage the younger generation! :).
ReplyDeleteLisa Lueddecke
AHHH!!! It's Auracle!!!! Do want.
ReplyDeleteThank you so, so much for this epically awesome giveaway!!!
I have SERIOUSLY been waiting to get this book and read it! (My library is kinda slow sometimes). The cover kind of reminds me of C.C. Hunter's books' series covers... I like it :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the giveaway!
Thank you so much for the giveaway :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for the awesome giveaway! This book looks really good?? ;k
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your review I definitely want this book! I know you have great taste so if you liked it that's good enough for me!;) Thanks for the great post and giveaway.
ReplyDeleteSuper geeked about this giveaway I hope I win!
ReplyDeleteSqueee thanks for the chance to win
ReplyDelete-Dannielle
Thank you for the review and giveaway of Auracle! It looks like a great story!!!!
ReplyDeleteLindy Gomez
Paranormal is one of my favorite genres, and I don't think I have ever read a story that feature astral projection, so I am intrigued
ReplyDelete