Welcome to my stop on the Rook Blog Tour, hosted by the ladies of Rockstar Book Tours. I've got a review and giveaway for you, but be sure to check out the rest of the stops (schedule at the end of the post) for more awesome content, including interviews and guest posts from the author!
Author: Sharon Cameron
Series: n/a
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Publication Date: April 28, 2015
Source: ARC received from publisher
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
History has a way of repeating itself. In the Sunken City that was once Paris, all who oppose the new revolution are being put to the blade. Except for those who disappear from their prison cells, a red-tipped rook feather left in their place. Is the mysterious Red Rook a savior of the innocent or a criminal?
Meanwhile, across the sea in the Commonwealth, Sophia Bellamy’s arranged marriage to the wealthy René Hasard is the last chance to save her family from ruin. But when the search for the Red Rook comes straight to her doorstep, Sophia discovers that her fiancé is not all he seems. Which is only fair, because neither is she.
As the Red Rook grows bolder and the stakes grow higher, Sophia and René find themselves locked in a tantalizing game of cat and mouse.
With every retelling of The Scarlet Pimpernel I read, I'm more and more convinced that I absolutely must read the original classic. And while it's true that this is technically only the second retelling I've read, it is by far my favorite. I would give this book all the stars. Neverending, infinity stars.
But this book is not strictly a retelling; it is more of a tribute to the original story and very well done at that. I guess you could call this book post-apocalyptic in nature because of it's focus on France after the shifting of the poles, subsequent holes in the ozone and the resulting fall of technology. But it doesn't feel like your typical post-apocalyptic fare. This story is just so much goodness wrapped into one pretty package, and it's focus was more reliant on the fact that history is doomed to repeat itself and the revolution that fact seems to spark in people.
Sophia Bellamy is my favorite kind of heroine: skilled but not infallible, charming but not easily trusting, and completely and totally underestimated. René Hasard is also my favorite kind of love interest. The one who worms his way into the heroine's heart -- but not easily -- and provides me with delicious banter. Which is also why this is one of my favorite kinds of romances…I just adore the passion of a good hate-to-love romance.
The entire cast of characters endeared themselves to me practically from the beginning, though. Hasard's family charmed the pants off me, and Sophia's cohorts were no less enchanting. And the vile LeBlanc and Allemande were sufficiently evil. I've said it before, but I don't usually enjoy novels with so many third person perspectives. Though I think I may be retracting that statement in the near future with as many novels as I've enjoyed recently written in just that style. I was so engrossed in this novel that I just stopped expecting characters to act a certain way or for things to happen and simply allowed myself to enjoy the story.
It wasn't hard to do. This book just does not quit. Fast-paced from the moment I cracked the spine and it only picked up speed as I continued to read. It was intense and I was fraught with nerves the entire time, especially as one character's perspective would leave off on one train of thought, only to have another character pick up that same train of thought. It rent the novel with a sense of urgency that had me flipping pages well past my usual bedtime. I haven't found the energy to stay up into the night just to finish a novel in ages, but that's exactly what I did with Rook.
This homage to The Scarlet Pimpernel is definitely going to make it onto my list of favorites this year. It's just such a ME book and it's definitely left me curious about the author's other works. And I am just so happy to have read such an amazing fantasy novel that isn't the beginning of another trilogy. :)
GIF it to me straight:
About the author:
Sharon Cameron was awarded the 2009 Sue Alexander Most Promising New Work Award by the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators for her debut novel, The Dark Unwinding. When not writing Sharon can be found thumbing dusty tomes, shooting her longbow, or indulging in her lifelong search for secret passages. She lives with her family in Nashville, Tennessee.
Find Sharon:
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Tour Schedule:
Week One:
4/20/2015 - Xpresso Reads - Interview
4/21/2015 - The Starry-Eyed Revue - Review
4/22/2015 - The Eater of Books! - Guest Post
4/23/2015 - Mundie Moms - Review
4/24/2015 - Two Chicks on Books - Guest Post
Week Two:
4/27/2015 - Fiktshun - Review
4/28/2015 - Bookish - Guest Post
4/29/2015 - Bumbles and Fairy-Tales - Review
4/30/2015 - Chapter by Chapter - Interview
5/1/2015 - Winterhaven Books - Review
I am really excited to read this book. It sounds really interesting.
ReplyDeleteThe book sounds like it is full of adventure. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy of your book!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for this book to release! I loved the Scarlet Pimpernel and this book looks so good and amazing! I've also seen nothing but great arc reviews for this book and I just need to read it!
ReplyDeleteGreat review and thank you for the giveaway :D
This one originally slipped under my radar but now I'm very excited to read it
ReplyDeleteI read The Scarlet Pimpernel my freshman year of high school and really enjoyed it, so this book definitely made it onto my TBR list! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited to read this book, it sounds fantastic! :D
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds freaking amazing, I need a copy of this book now lol!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read the book this is based on, but with that rating? It really is no contest.
ReplyDeleteThis book comes out on my birthday, I am starting to feel overprotective of it :D
ReplyDeleteI've never read The Scarlet Pimpernel , but I love post-apocalyptic stories, and this one sounds excellent!
ReplyDeleteThe book sounds absolutely amazing, I can't wait to read it! Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteMission accomplished. I'm hooked. Can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this great giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThe title reminds of the card game. :) I never did learn how to play it though. Anywho the book sounds great!
ReplyDeleteMary Loki
Hello Sharon, Rook sounds like a great book. I would love to read it. Thank you
ReplyDeleteRook looks awesome. I have literally been waiting for this book for a year, and I know I'm going to love it.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Sharon on the new release! I have to say, I don't find many kindred spirits in shared love of The Scarlett Pimpernel, can't wait to read this! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThe book sounds awesome and I love the cover. Thanks for being an author for us book nerds!
ReplyDelete