Mundie Moms

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

AIR AND ASH by Alex Lidell / Blog Tour: Book Review & Giveaway #AirAndAsh


Hello and welcome to today's stop in the AIR & ASH blog tour hosted by Rockstar Blog Tours. Today's stop features a giveaway and my review! Before you enter to win, find out more about the book below:

ABOUT THE BOOK




By: Alex Lidell
Published by: Danger Bearing Press
Released on: May 2, 2017
Series: Tides Series #1
Purchase from it: AmazonB&N
Add it to Goodreads
Source: purchased book
Rating: 4 stars 

Master and Commander meets Tamora Pierce in a seafaring adventure of duty, love, magic, and a princess’s quest to protect her kingdom on her own terms. 

After a lifetime of training, seventeen-year-old Princess Nile Greysik, a lieutenant on the prestigious Ashing navy flagship, sails into battle with one vital mission—and fails.


Barred from the sea and facing a political marriage, Nile masquerades as a common sailor on the first ship she can find. With a cowardly captain, incompetent crew, and a cruel, too-handsome first officer intent on making her life a living hell, Nile must hide her identity while trying to turn the sorry frigate battleworthy. Worse, a terrifying and forbidden magic now tingles in Nile’s blood. If anyone catches wind of who Nile is or what she can do, her life is over.


But when disaster threatens the ship, Nile may have no choice but to unleash the truth that will curse her future.


AIR AND ASH is the thrilling first installment of the TIDES series. Recommended for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Tamora Pierce, and Naomi Novik.
Another adventure on the high seas, and a feisty, strong willed heroine to fall in love with. Air and Ash lives up to what I've come to except from Alex Lidell's writing. There's no shortage of danger, magic, action, and the best kind of romance. With characters you'll love getting to know more, and a few you'll love to despise, this book is another fantastic read I'd recommend picking up.

Nile Ash is a character who's determined to control her own life. Hailing from Royalty, this Princess isn't about to be doomed by an arranged political marriage. She didn't just spend a certain amount of time in the service of her father's royal Navy, something she was extremely good at, to come home and be rushed off to marrying some Prince. Seeking solace and hiding her true identity aboard a cruel war ship, Nile realizes somethings are harder than keeping who she is secret, and running from away from her royal duties. Things like not falling in love, or letting anyone else knows she's gifted. Both prove to be no easy thing, especially when you're confined within the limited space of a ship.

The magical element in this story comes in the form of Nile's gifted. 'Gifted' are those who are able to control the elements. While rare, it's not easy for someone to hide their gift, especially when you're aboard a ship in the middle of the ocean. Luckily for Nile she can let on that she gets sea sick vs what's really causing her to get sick. While others may fall for it, another fellow seaman recognizes her from aboard her father's Navy ship. It's not so easy to hide both her gifted, and her identity. Especially when she's in close confines.

Character wise, I really enjoyed getting to know both Domenic and Catsper. Both couldn't be more different from each other, yet both guys play important roles in Nile's secret, and her voyage aboard their ship. I love the dynamics they  add to the story, and how they fit into Nile's life. No, there is not a love triangle between them and Nile, just great character chemistry, and my really wishing this book didn't end where it did, because I want to know what happens next. 

Catsper is the no, nonsense kind of friend that Nile needs. You always know where you stand with him. He's the kind of friend Nile needs. He's someone who will keep her secret, while making sure she's trained to fight in order to protect herself for what's to come. He's also a little protective of her. I love the friction this causes with Domenic. He's easily one of my favorite characters. 

Domenic is the infuriating character I couldn't help but love to hate, especially Nile boards his ship. I get why Nile despises him, especially at first. He may run the ship with an iron fist, but he definitely gets more than he bargained for with Nile. I don't fault him for wanting to act one way when it comes to Nile, yet he doesn't slack on the importance of running the ship the way it needs to be ran. He's a good leader, and a tough one that doesn't make exceptions. Nile learns that the hard way, though I do like that she respects that, given her leading of her own Navy ship at one point. 

The romance in this book is one I really enjoyed. It's definitely has that immediate character chemistry that just makes sense, however it's definitely not love at first sight. This romance is one that grows from a strong dislike of each other, and constant bantering. Their constant back and forth, and fighting, make for the perfect sexual tension between the two. I love a well written, slow burning romance, which this definitely is. It's the kind of build up that just as something begins to develop, the story ends, and leaves you wishing the sequel as already out. Not to mention it's also a forbidden one. 

This is another fantastic YA fantasy from Alex Liddel. If you've not yet picked up any of her books, this is the perfect one to start with. The world building, and character development are spot on with the story's perfect pacing. This story is one where everything molds together perfectly. It's well written and created. From the action, to the danger, romance, magic, and secrecy, this book had a little bit of everything I enjoy in a well written YA fantasy.

Air and Ash is a book that sucked me right in, and made it impossible for me to put down until I was done reading it. I was hooked on this story, and everything it offered me. I couldn't help but root for Nile from the moment the story began, and enjoyed everything it gave me in between. Talk about a killer of a cliff hanger! I need this book's sequel like now. If you're looking for a great YA read with danger, romance, and adventure on the high seas, pick up this book!


ABOUT THE AUTHOR



Alex Lidell is an avid horseback rider, paramedic and ice cream addict. Born in Russia, Alex learned English in elementary school, where a thoughtful librarian placed a copy of Tamora Pierce’s ALANNA in Alex’s hands. In addition to becoming the first English book Alex read for fun, ALANNA started Alex’s lifelong love for YA fantasy books. Alex’s debut novel, THE CADET OF TILDOR, was an Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards finalist. Her second book AIR AND ASH releases in May 2017. Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Instagram


ENTER TO WIN





1 winner will receive a finished copy of AIR AND ASH & a hardcover of A COURT OF WINGS AND RUIN by Sarah J. Maas, INTERNATIONAL.




FOLLOW THE TOUR

5/1/2017- Wandering Bark BooksExcerpt
5/1/2017- Twinning for BooksReview

5/2/2017- Don't Judge, Read- Interview

5/3/2017- Fiction FareReview
5/3/2017- Book Princess ReviewsReview

5/4/2017- Two Chicks on BooksInterview
5/4/2017- Reading for the Stars and MoonReview

5/5/2017- Margie's Must ReadsReview
5/5/2017- Angelic Book ReviewsReview

5/8/2017- BookHounds YAGuest Post
5/8/2017- Book BriefsReview

5/9/2017- A Backwards StoryInterview
5/9/2017- Mundie MomsReview

5/10/2017- Book Sniffers AnonymousExcerpt
5/10/2017- J.R.'s Book ReviewsReview

5/11/2017- Bibliobibuli YAReview
5/11/2017- BookloveReview

5/12/2017- Reese's ReviewsReview
5/12/2017-A Dream Within A DreamReview

2 comments:

  1. It sounds amazing!!! Great storyline, very very interesting characters.
    Thank you for the chance.

    Raffle name: Artemis Giote

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yay :D Awesome review Katie. <3 So glad you enjoyed this one a lot :) The characters sounds amazing. Curious about it now :D

    ReplyDelete

Labels