What’s up, my friend? Today’s post is a little different but SUPER EXCITING because my awesome sister, K.A. Emmons (author of The Blood Race) is releasing her second book in the series, Worlds Beneath! And today’s blog post is all about that: loaded with confetti, fangirling, aesthetic boards, and also a VIDEO INTERVIEW and an EBOOK GIVEAWAY!
It’s an exciting day, so let’s jump right in! Around this time last year, Katie released her first book, The Blood Race, and you might remember the blog tour post I did then. This year I’m throwing another little launch party (with more goodies this time) and YOU’RE INVITED. In fact, you’re already here. Haha. Tricked you.
First, let me tell you a bit about Worlds Beneath. If you don’t know anything about The Blood Race series, I suggest you go to this post and educate yourself. Basically, it is an incredible YA sci-fi/fantasy book about identity and other dimensions and shape-shifting and saving the world and explosions and fire and EPIC-NESS!! The story follows Icarus and Hawk, two teenagers with supernatural powers who don’t particularly get along — but who need to team up in order to fulfill their destiny and save the future from destruction. Read the whole blurb on Amazon.
Worlds Beneath picks up right where The Blood Race left off: with Icarus’ fall into the unknown.
THE DESCRIPTION FOR: WORLDS BENEATH
I used to think that seeing was believing, but now, as I struggle to stay alive below the ravine, I begin to realize that – good or bad – I will see whatever I believe.
“Who are you, Icarus, that the earth opens its mouth to receive your blood?” Sensei’s words were my last thoughts before I fell into the bottomless ravine, plunging toward my own death, and bringing about Hawk’s at the same time. Or so I thought.
I woke up underwater. I awoke in a strange and unfamiliar world, filled with maze-like forest, shadows, and nightmares seemingly as vivid and dangerous as reality. I had no idea who I was, or how I got there – I couldn’t remember anything, until I remembered her: Hawk. The other half of my soul.
I knew that in order for her to stay alive, I had to survive and find a way out. But that’s easier said than done when you’re trapped in a realm as deadly as your every thought – and dominated by a hierarchy of ravenous wolf packs.
Alerted by a dream, I realize that Hawk has left the Dimension to come find me. For an instant, I rediscover hope. But that hope quickly burns to ash when I realize that we may not be the only ones down here. Someone else with a thirst for her blood may have survived the fall too. And I may have just lured her right into the jaws of a predator even fiercer than the wolves.
THE BOOK TRAILER:
made by yours truly 😉
ARE YOU SCREAMING YET???? GO GET THIS BOOK!! NOW. But if you need more convincing, you can read my review first.
MY REVIEW
5 STARS. Prepare to be blown away. Worlds Beneath will grab you by the throat and submerge you into a masterfully-written story of courage, trust, love, and fear – then leave you breathless on the last page, begging for more. I still don’t know how to sum up this book in a review because IT IS THAT GOOD. I want to give it A MILLION STARS.
If you read the first book in the series, The Blood Race, you are in for a wild ride with book 2. If you fell in love with the characters in book 1, you will fall even harder in Worlds Beneath. (no pun intended…falling, get it? Ha. Ha. *crickets*) But EVEN IF YOU READ THE FIRST BOOK, nothing will prepare you the absolute masterpiece that is Worlds Beneath.
The characters, plot, themes, and writing all work together to create a symphony of unforgettable story – you won’t want to return to the real world after reading this. K.A. Emmons has an incredible knack for building dread and unraveling secrets. I loved how the mystery of the plot slowly pieced together from other characters’ points of view. Even though I knew what was going to happen in the end, I was still shook when I got there. Not only could I not put it down, I WAS SHAKING. My hands were sweating (sorry, book pages) and I could vividly feel the surprise and dread in the characters – as if I didn’t see the plot twists coming at all. THAT IS GOOD WRITING, MY FRIEND.
Although the sheer action, mystery, and suspense in this book is reason enough to read it ASAP, I have to say that my favorite element is the themes. The spiritual allegories left me thinking for MONTHS after finishing this book. Katie covers a lot of ground in the themes – all without ever jeopardizing story, plot, or character development. In fact, the themes only add fuel to the fire of EVERYTHING ELSE in this book. While Hawk battles her fears and discovers courage, Icarus awakens to his true identity and Fin struggles with doubt, loss, and leadership. Out of all the characters, I could relate to Fin’s journey the most. We all love him because he’s perfect – but, really, he’s not. He’s flawed, too. And that’s part of what makes him a great character. ALL THE CHARACTERS ARE JUST SO GOOD. They surprise you, but not by doing anything out of character. They all learn and grow and have a moral compass guiding them towards the truth – even if they stumble a bit along the way. (And the villains will make you want to jump through the pages and STRANGLE THEM.)
And the ending. Oh boy. The ending will rip your heart out and leave you in a puddle of tears on the floor. But before the heartbreaking cliffhanger, the climax is OUT OF THIS WORLD. I was on the edge of my seat, unable to read fast enough to satisfy the adrenaline. I honestly felt like I was watching a movie. (Uh, Hollywood? GET OVER HERE.) Hawk’s character development comes full-circle in this book and IT IS POWERFUL. I usually have a hard time liking female characters in books, but Hawk is truly a heroine to look up to.
I recommend setting aside a few days to do nothing but READ THIS BOOK. It is literally THAT hard to put down. Katie outdid herself with this one. I can’t wait to see it on the top of the New York Times bestseller list because that’s where it belongs.
THE EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH K.A. EMMONS
GUYS I DID SOMETHING FUN. I kidnapped the fabulous K.A. Emmons, sat her down in my room with a cup of coffee and interviewed her! IT WAS AWESOME. Here’s the interview for you to watch! We talk all about the new book, writing habits, coffee VS tea, and other important issues like that. Also Katie gives y’all a sneak peek of what to expect in book #3! IT’S A GOOD INTERVIEW, GUYS. Have at it:
(update: the paperback is now live!! I know how much you want to hold this beautiful book in your hands. Go FOLLOW YOUR DREAM.)
What are you waiting for?? GO GRAB A COPY. Or if you have no money to spend on books because you’ve already spent the last of your money on books (I can relate) ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:
THE GIVEAWAY
HUZZAH HERE WE ARE AT YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE POST: THE GIVEAWAY! This giveaway is for one (1) ebook copy of Worlds Beneath. The giveaway will be open for ONE WEEK and the winner will be announced next Saturday, on the 14th of July! Enter below for a chance to win!
TALK, BRO
Have you read Worlds Beneath yet?? IF SO, WHAT DID YOU THINK OF IT? What was your favorite part? Who was your favorite new character? (Let’s fangirl in the comments below.) If you HAVEN’T read it… WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?? Enter that giveaway! Or go grab a copy. 😉 Oh and go follow Kate’s blog so you don’t miss out on all her cool stuff! Let’s chat all about books in the comments!
rock on,
abbiee
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