Yay!!! It's Blood for Blood release day and it's finally here and I can't wait for you all to read it and become overwrought with emotion like I was. =) If you thought Wolf by Wolf was amazing, you ain't seen nothing yet. Prepare your heart and gird your loins. This is one book you do not want to miss.
About the book:
Title: Blood for Blood Author: Ryan Graudin Series: Wolf by Wolf, book #2 Publisher: Little, Brown BFYR Publication Date: November 1, 2016 Purchase:Amazon | Barnes & Noble
The action-packed, thrilling sequel to Ryan Graudin's Wolf by Wolf.
There would be blood.
Blood for blood.
Blood to pay.
An entire world of it.
For the resistance in 1950s Germany, the war may be over, but the fight has just begun.
Death camp survivor Yael, who has the power to skinshift, is on the run: the world has just seen her shoot and kill Hitler. But the truth of what happened is far more complicated, and its consequences are deadly. Yael and her unlikely comrades dive into enemy territory to try to turn the tide against the New Order, and there is no alternative but to see their mission through to the end, whatever the cost.
But dark secrets reveal dark truths, and one question hangs over them all: how far can you go for the ones you love?
This gripping, thought-provoking sequel to Wolf by Wolf will grab readers by the throat with its cinematic writing, fast-paced action, and relentless twists.
About the previous book:
Title: Wolf by Wolf Author: Ryan Graudin Series: Wolf by Wolf, book #1 Publisher: Little, Brown BFYR Publication Date: October 20, 2015 Purchase:Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
The year is 1956, and the Axis powers of the Third Reich and Imperial Japan rule the world. To commemorate their Great Victory over Britain and Russia, Hitler and Emperor Hirohito host the Axis Tour: an annual motorcycle race across their conjoined continents. The victor is awarded an audience with the highly reclusive Adolf Hitler at the Victor's ball.
Yael, who escaped from a death camp, has one goal: Win the race and kill Hitler. A survivor of painful human experimentation, Yael has the power to skinshift and must complete her mission by impersonating last year's only female victor, Adele Wolfe. This deception becomes more difficult when Felix, Adele twin's brother, and Luka, her former love interest, enter the race and watch Yael's every move. But as Yael begins to get closer to the other competitors, can she bring herself to be as ruthless as she needs to be to avoid discovery and complete her mission?
Not only is this series super exciting and gasp-worthy, it's also a lot of fun to photograph. :D
About the author:
Ryan Graudin grew up in Charleston and graduated from the College of Charleston with a degree in Creative Writing in 2009. She is the author of All That Glows and The Walled City. She resides near Charleston with her husband and wolf-dog.
So, I've seen a few others doing early reviews for books pre-release by doing a less formal review and sorta just fangirling over the title prior to publication, which may be months away, depending on when they read the book. Jamie from The Perpetual Page-turner has a Save the Date feature, and Heather over at The Flyleaf Review showcases her pre-release thoughts in a Mark Your Calendars post. I have the same problem. I want to tell the world about some of the awesome books I read pre-publication, but I can't wait until just a few weeks before the release date to shout it from the rooftops. And sometimes there just aren't words for a book, ya know?
My dilemma led me to an awesome idea: Reviews in a GIFfy. I already (sometimes) post my reactions to a book via GIFs on Goodreads. (The one I did for World After was very well received.) But I wanted to make it a thing for those titles that I just can't wait until they appear on the ole reading schedule -- or for the ones that it's really hard to adequately express my feelings -- and I wanted to share my reactions via GIF with all of you. Essentially, these are going to be GIF-only reviews to tide you -- and me! -- over until I can expand on my thoughts in a legitimate review closer to the book's release date...if ever!
Title: Blood for Blood Author: Ryan Graudin Series: Wolf by Wolf, book #2 Publisher: Little, Brown BFYR Publication Date: November 1, 2016 Source: ARC received from publisher Purchase:Amazon | Barnes & Noble
The action-packed, thrilling sequel to Ryan Graudin's Wolf by Wolf.
There would be blood.
Blood for blood.
Blood to pay.
An entire world of it.
For the resistance in 1950s Germany, the war may be over, but the fight has just begun.
Death camp survivor Yael, who has the power to skinshift, is on the run: the world has just seen her shoot and kill Hitler. But the truth of what happened is far more complicated, and its consequences are deadly. Yael and her unlikely comrades dive into enemy territory to try to turn the tide against the New Order, and there is no alternative but to see their mission through to the end, whatever the cost.
But dark secrets reveal dark truths, and one question hangs over them all: how far can you go for the ones you love?
This gripping, thought-provoking sequel to Wolf by Wolf will grab readers by the throat with its cinematic writing, fast-paced action, and relentless twists.
Bloody verdammt book that made me cry all the tears and feel all the things. This follow-up to Wolf by Wolf was very different in tone and content but it was every bit as good and interesting and heartbreaking. Where Wolf by Wolf was all witty banter and racing and unbelievably sad flashbacks, this sequel was basically all of those sad flashbacks times a million. Blood for Blood was essentially the antithesis of Wolf by Wolf. Wolf by Wolf was by no means a light-hearted story, but it was full of wit and snark and moments of levity interspersed with moments of immense pain. But Blood for Blood...it was mostly harrowing ordeals and narrow escapes punctuated by instances of frivolity.
I think my GIF-tastic review below will sum it up best, but before I get to that, here are a few more things I appreciated about this sequel:
Multiple perspectives but with Yael always being the focal point - In the first book, I constantly wondered what the real Adele Wolf was doing while Yael was parading around as her, and you get that in this sequel, though not from the horses's mouth. The multiple points of view really help to form a complete picture.
I applaud the author's choices, that she did what was right by her characters - Big risks and hard decisions make this a tragic story but also make it all the more genuine. This is war and with war comes loss and devastation.
Unpredictable and thrilling story - I legit never knew what was coming in this book. I was blind-sided time and again and still kept coming back for more, even though it felt like my heart was being torn from my chest.
Incredible character growth - Going from kids trying to win a race (well, except for Yael, sort of) to people with loved ones to save and sacrifices to make and fuhrers to kill and making all kinds mistakes along the way, these characters change so much.
Okay, before I get to the GIFfy portion of this review, I just wanted to share a short video that perfectly depicts my reading experience:
So, when the novel opens, Yael is on the run after her disastrous assassination attempt from the previous book.
But that's nothing new, as Yael is pretty much always on the run. Her life is nothing but one big chase with one singular mission...to kill this guy:
Yael finds herself escaping with the two boys she took turns racing beside in the first book, and even this early in the story, I just knew there was no way things were going to end well.
My money was on the fuhrer, but I like to be prepared.
Basically, I felt like Yael was always backed into a corner, ready to claw her way out if need be.
Didn't make it any easier to read, though.
Not only does Yael's past come back to haunt her ten-fold in this sequel, but you also get a peek at past-Luka and past-Felix, and though their stories don't even compare to the torture Yael has suffered, they definitely still had difficult upbringings.
Meanwhile, well-thought plans crumble. Betrayals abound. Truths can no longer remain buried.
And good intentions pave the road to hell.
And through it all...
So much pain. It's been a month since I finished this book and still the pain is so fresh.
This story is definitely not for the faint of heart, but if you have a heart, it will definitely hit you in the feels. HARD. Don't say I didn't warn you.
About the author:
Hello! I’m Ryan. This is me in a nutshell.
29.
Writer.
Traveler.
Believer.
Sherlock Whovian Browncoat.
Wife to a talented and handsome photographer.
Mother to a fluffy and winsome wolf-dog.
Drinks Chai Lattes.
Loves vintage Christmas lights.
And this is me in the officially-official version:
Ryan Graudin grew up in Charleston and graduated from the College of Charleston with a degree in Creative Writing in 2009. She is the author of Wolf By Wolf, Blood For Blood, The Walled City and the All That Glows series. She resides near Charleston with her husband and wolf-dog.
"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
This week's WoW selection is...
's Pick:
Title: Blood for Blood Author: Ryan Graudin Series: Wolf by Wolf, book #2 Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers Publication Date: November 1, 2016
In 1950's Germany, the war may be over, but the fight has just begun. The thrilling conclusion to Ryan Graudin's WOLF BY WOLF.
There would be blood. Blood for blood. Blood to pay. An entire world of it. With their mission in danger, Yael, and the resistance, are ready to fight. Forced to run, life in the shadows for Yael, Luka and Felix isn't easy, especially when their enemy seems to know their every move. And when each step uncovers dark secrets and even darker truths, each must find a way to navigate right and wrong, past and future, life and death, if they are to survive at all.
Honestly, I'm super excited to read the novella Iron to Iron, which releases on March 8th, because I really want to know what transpired between Luka and Adele before Wolf by Wolf, but I'm equally as excited for this full-length sequel and conclusion to the series. (I am hugely fond of duologies at this point in my reading life.) I can't believe I hadn't planned on reading the first book, only to find that I freaking loved it. But I kind of love when that happens, when a book surprises me that much, and it makes me even more anxious for the sequel...
What are you desperately waiting for this Wednesday? Let us know in the comments or share a link to your own WoW post!
Title: Wolf by Wolf Author(s): Ryan Graudin Narrator(s): Christa Lewis Series: Wolf by Wolf, book #1 Length: 10 hrs 31 mins Publisher: Hachette Audio Publication Date: October 20, 2015 Source: purchased audiobook Purchase:Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
The year is 1956, and the Axis powers of the Third Reich and Imperial Japan rule the world. To commemorate their Great Victory over Britain and Russia, Hitler and Emperor Hirohito host the Axis Tour: an annual motorcycle race across their conjoined continents. The victor is awarded an audience with the highly reclusive Adolf Hitler at the Victor's ball.
Yael, who escaped from a death camp, has one goal: Win the race and kill Hitler. A survivor of painful human experimentation, Yael has the power to skinshift and must complete her mission by impersonating last year's only female victor, Adele Wolfe. This deception becomes more difficult when Felix, Adele twin's brother, and Luka, her former love interest, enter the race and watch Yael's every move. But as Yael begins to get closer to the other competitors, can she bring herself to be as ruthless as she needs to be to avoid discovery and complete her mission?
So, I wasn't all that interested in this book when it came out last year and everyone was talking about it. Which is weird because I always interested in studying and reading about World War II. But people just kept talking about this book, and now there's a novella releasing and a sequel, and I figured, why the hell not? I've got 7 Audible credits to use up. :P
And it was legitimately good. I'm also VERY glad I went the audio route because the narrator was much more adept at the accents than I could ever dream of being. And because of the narrator, I felt every bit of Yael's fear of discovery, her loss of self as she became someone else.
Yael's character is something else. Revisiting her pain through flashbacks and following her along the race gives you so much insight into her character. And though there's not a ton of action, the pacing is still quick, making you feel as if you're racing toward an unseen ending, too. And then there's Luka, whom I absolutely must know more about.
I'm glad I finished this book knowing that another is in the works. It was a satisfying ending but definitely one that left me wanting more.
About the author:
Ryan Graudin was born in Charleston, South Carolina, with a severe case of wanderlust. When she’s not traveling, she’s busy writing and spending time with her husband and wolf dog. She is the author of the All That Glows series, The Walled City, and Wolf by Wolf.
Title: Starflight Author(s): Melissa Landers Narrator(s): Amanda Dolan Series: Starflight, book #1 Length: 9 hrs 44 mins Publisher: Tantor Audio Publication Date: February 2, 2016 Source: purchased audiobook Purchase:Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
Life in the outer realm is a lawless, dirty, hard existence, and Solara Brooks is hungry for it. Just out of the orphanage, she needs a fresh start in a place where nobody cares about the engine grease beneath her fingernails or the felony tattoos across her knuckles. She's so desperate to reach the realm that she's willing to indenture herself to Doran Spaulding, the rich and popular quarterback who made her life miserable all through high school, in exchange for passage aboard the spaceliner Zenith.
When a twist of fate lands them instead on the Banshee, a vessel of dubious repute, Doran learns he's been framed on Earth for conspiracy. As he pursues a set of mysterious coordinates rumored to hold the key to clearing his name, he and Solara must get past their enmity to work together and evade those out for their arrest. Life on the Banshee may be tumultuous, but as Solara and Doran are forced to question everything they once believed about their world—and each other—the ship becomes home, and the eccentric crew family. But what Solara and Doran discover on the mysterious Planet X has the power to not only alter their lives, but the existence of everyone in the universe...
Oh, man, this book was so much fun! I've never seen Firefly -- I know...I know -- but this story was so action-packed and funny that I can't imagine sci-fi fans, and fans of the show alike, not enjoying it to some extent. It was one of those stories where Heaven help the person who interrupts me while I'm listening to it because violence may result. And I'm only kind of kidding.
There was banter and spaceships and a one-legged captain (and his pet sugar bear) and a wedding and explosions and death and conspiracies and space chases and pirates and anything and everything your little sci-fi loving heart could want. And there was not one but three groups of bad guys chasing the Banshee as they worked their way to Planet X and did they mean business!
Also, a hate-to-love romance. One of my favorites because it has to be a slow-burn...unless hate-sex is involved, in which case all bets are off. Not the case here, though. Doran has been ruthless where Solara is concerned, and it was nice to see the tables turned for a bit, even if it didn't last all that long. They made great strides toward becoming friends and then something more in this book, and I really liked how the author developed their relationship.
Starflight was just such a captivating listen from start to finish. I've listened to several novels narrated by Amanda Dolan, but this is by far my favorite. And though a sequel is planned, I am inordinately happy with how this first book ended. This was just an all-around FUN book.
About the author:
Melissa Landers is a former teacher who left the classroom to pursue other worlds. A proud sci-fi geek, she isn’t afraid to wear her Princess Leia costume in public—just ask her husband and three kids. She lives outside Cincinnati in the small town of Loveland, “Sweetheart of Ohio.” For more information or just to say hello, visit www.melissa-landers.com.
I work with numbers by day, and I'm a mommy and avid reader by night. I'm a self-proclaimed Spreadsheet Queen, and I'll read anything you put in front of me. I seriously love all the books! And I adore audiobooks, too!
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
{Promo} BLOOD FOR BLOOD Release Day Blitz & Giveaway
Yay!!! It's Blood for Blood release day and it's finally here and I can't wait for you all to read it and become overwrought with emotion like I was. =) If you thought Wolf by Wolf was amazing, you ain't seen nothing yet. Prepare your heart and gird your loins. This is one book you do not want to miss.
About the book:
Author: Ryan Graudin
Series: Wolf by Wolf, book #2
Publisher: Little, Brown BFYR
Publication Date: November 1, 2016
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
About the previous book:
Author: Ryan Graudin
Series: Wolf by Wolf, book #1
Publisher: Little, Brown BFYR
Publication Date: October 20, 2015
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
Not only is this series super exciting and gasp-worthy, it's also a lot of fun to photograph. :D
5 winners will receive a finished copy of WOLF BY WOLF, US Only.
Ends on November 15th at Midnight EST!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thursday, August 18, 2016
ALL I KNOW IS PAIN: {Review in a GIFfy} BLOOD FOR BLOOD by Ryan Graudin
My dilemma led me to an awesome idea: Reviews in a GIFfy. I already (sometimes) post my reactions to a book via GIFs on Goodreads. (The one I did for World After was very well received.) But I wanted to make it a thing for those titles that I just can't wait until they appear on the ole reading schedule -- or for the ones that it's really hard to adequately express my feelings -- and I wanted to share my reactions via GIF with all of you. Essentially, these are going to be GIF-only reviews to tide you -- and me! -- over until I can expand on my thoughts in a legitimate review closer to the book's release date...if ever!
Author: Ryan Graudin
Series: Wolf by Wolf, book #2
Publisher: Little, Brown BFYR
Publication Date: November 1, 2016
Source: ARC received from publisher
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Bloody verdammt book that made me cry all the tears and feel all the things. This follow-up to Wolf by Wolf was very different in tone and content but it was every bit as good and interesting and heartbreaking. Where Wolf by Wolf was all witty banter and racing and unbelievably sad flashbacks, this sequel was basically all of those sad flashbacks times a million.
Blood for Blood was essentially the antithesis of Wolf by Wolf. Wolf by Wolf was by no means a light-hearted story, but it was full of wit and snark and moments of levity interspersed with moments of immense pain. But Blood for Blood...it was mostly harrowing ordeals and narrow escapes punctuated by instances of frivolity.
I think my GIF-tastic review below will sum it up best, but before I get to that, here are a few more things I appreciated about this sequel:
So, when the novel opens, Yael is on the run after her disastrous assassination attempt from the previous book.
But that's nothing new, as Yael is pretty much always on the run. Her life is nothing but one big chase with one singular mission...to kill this guy:
Yael finds herself escaping with the two boys she took turns racing beside in the first book, and even this early in the story, I just knew there was no way things were going to end well.
My money was on the fuhrer, but I like to be prepared.
Basically, I felt like Yael was always backed into a corner, ready to claw her way out if need be.
Didn't make it any easier to read, though.
Not only does Yael's past come back to haunt her ten-fold in this sequel, but you also get a peek at past-Luka and past-Felix, and though their stories don't even compare to the torture Yael has suffered, they definitely still had difficult upbringings.
Meanwhile, well-thought plans crumble. Betrayals abound. Truths can no longer remain buried.
And good intentions pave the road to hell.
And through it all...
So much pain. It's been a month since I finished this book and still the pain is so fresh.
Previous posts in this feature:
Of Metal and Wishes
The Kiss of Deception
Between the Spark and the Burn
Blue Lily, Lily Blue
This Shattered World
A Court of Thorns and Roses
Heart of Betrayal
Of Dreams and Rust
Nightfall
Winter
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
{WOW} Blood for Blood by Ryan Graudin
"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
This week's WoW selection is...
's Pick:
Author: Ryan Graudin
Series: Wolf by Wolf, book #2
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: November 1, 2016
Honestly, I'm super excited to read the novella Iron to Iron, which releases on March 8th, because I really want to know what transpired between Luka and Adele before Wolf by Wolf, but I'm equally as excited for this full-length sequel and conclusion to the series. (I am hugely fond of duologies at this point in my reading life.) I can't believe I hadn't planned on reading the first book, only to find that I freaking loved it. But I kind of love when that happens, when a book surprises me that much, and it makes me even more anxious for the sequel...
What are you desperately waiting for this Wednesday? Let us know in the comments or share a link to your own WoW post!
Thursday, February 4, 2016
{Mini Reviews} WOLF BY WOLF and STARFLIGHT
Author(s): Ryan Graudin
Narrator(s): Christa Lewis
Series: Wolf by Wolf, book #1
Length: 10 hrs 31 mins
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Publication Date: October 20, 2015
Source: purchased audiobook
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
So, I wasn't all that interested in this book when it came out last year and everyone was talking about it. Which is weird because I always interested in studying and reading about World War II. But people just kept talking about this book, and now there's a novella releasing and a sequel, and I figured, why the hell not? I've got 7 Audible credits to use up. :P
And it was legitimately good. I'm also VERY glad I went the audio route because the narrator was much more adept at the accents than I could ever dream of being. And because of the narrator, I felt every bit of Yael's fear of discovery, her loss of self as she became someone else.
Yael's character is something else. Revisiting her pain through flashbacks and following her along the race gives you so much insight into her character. And though there's not a ton of action, the pacing is still quick, making you feel as if you're racing toward an unseen ending, too. And then there's Luka, whom I absolutely must know more about.
I'm glad I finished this book knowing that another is in the works. It was a satisfying ending but definitely one that left me wanting more.
Author(s): Melissa Landers
Narrator(s): Amanda Dolan
Series: Starflight, book #1
Length: 9 hrs 44 mins
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Publication Date: February 2, 2016
Source: purchased audiobook
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
Oh, man, this book was so much fun! I've never seen Firefly -- I know...I know -- but this story was so action-packed and funny that I can't imagine sci-fi fans, and fans of the show alike, not enjoying it to some extent. It was one of those stories where Heaven help the person who interrupts me while I'm listening to it because violence may result. And I'm only kind of kidding.
There was banter and spaceships and a one-legged captain (and his pet sugar bear) and a wedding and explosions and death and conspiracies and space chases and pirates and anything and everything your little sci-fi loving heart could want. And there was not one but three groups of bad guys chasing the Banshee as they worked their way to Planet X and did they mean business!
Also, a hate-to-love romance. One of my favorites because it has to be a slow-burn...unless hate-sex is involved, in which case all bets are off. Not the case here, though. Doran has been ruthless where Solara is concerned, and it was nice to see the tables turned for a bit, even if it didn't last all that long. They made great strides toward becoming friends and then something more in this book, and I really liked how the author developed their relationship.
Starflight was just such a captivating listen from start to finish. I've listened to several novels narrated by Amanda Dolan, but this is by far my favorite. And though a sequel is planned, I am inordinately happy with how this first book ended. This was just an all-around FUN book.
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starryeyedjen
- I work with numbers by day, and I'm a mommy and avid reader by night. I'm a self-proclaimed Spreadsheet Queen, and I'll read anything you put in front of me. I seriously love all the books! And I adore audiobooks, too!
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