Candace's Book Blog

Monday, December 2, 2013

Audiobook Tour Page: Zoe & Zak and the Yogi's Curse by Lars Guignard

This is the tour page for Zoe & Zak and the Yogi's Curse by Lars Guignard and narrated by Sonja Field for February 17th-28th. This is the 2nd book in the series, but can be read/listened to as a stand alone.

This is a middle grade fantasy adventure for ages 8+.

Tour Schedule:

2/17

2/18

2/19

~~Our Wolves Den~~
Cover2Cover

2/21

Book Loving Hippo

2/24

alwaysjoart

2/25

2/27

2/28

3/1

WS Momma Readers Nook

Zoe & Zak and the Yogi's Curse by Lars Guignard
Read by Sonja Field
Genre: Middle Grade Magic, Fantasy Adventure. Ages 8-13
Length: audiobook length is 7 hours 36 minutes Publication Date: November 20, 2013

Description:

Zoe and Zak are back in India. Again. And this time they’re attending Moonstock Himalayan Boarding School, which might seem fun except for the fact that the school itself is a little strange. Students ride elephants instead of school buses, snarling monkeys work as security guards, and angry parrots monitor the halls. And even when they manage to get used to the wildlife, the food is absolutely terrible. But living with a bunch of other kids their age can be a lot of fun, too, or at least it seems that way until Zoe’s roommate goes missing. Following the directions written on a steamy bathroom mirror, Zoe and Zak fly through the clouds on their magic carpet to learn that the two of them have been chosen yet again. This time they’ve been asked to lift the Yogi’s Curse. It’s not going to be easy. Zoe and Zak don’t even know what the Yogi’s Curse is let alone how to lift it, but like it or not, they soon discover that a whole lot of people are depending on them. Now, if they’re going to save the day, Zoe and Zak are going to have to fool the monkey guards, avoid the nasty parrots, and maybe even develop a supernatural ability or two. Because lurking beneath Moonstock is a powerful new enemy. And if Zoe and Zak can’t stop him, nobody can.

Book can be found at: Audible | iTunes | Amazon | GoodReads

About the Author:

Prior to writing novels, Lars Guignard wrote for film and television. As a teenager he attended boarding school in the Indian Himalayas and his experiences there provided the inspiration for the Zoe and Zak series which now include: Zoe & Zak and the Ghost Leopard and Zoe & Zak and the Yogi’s Curse and Zoe & Zak and the Tiger Temple.

He lives in the Pacific Northwest where he dodges bears and cougars while hiking & skiing the magnificent Coast Mountain Range.

For news about new releases, please join his email list here: Zoe&ZakAdventures@gmail.com
He can also be reached at the following places:

Website: www.larsguignard.com

Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Review: Kinslayer by Jay Kristoff

Kinslayer (The Lotus War #2) by Jay Kristoff

Hardcover, 432 pages

Published: Sept. 17th, 2013 by Thomas Dunne Books

Source: Amazon Vine

A SHATTERED EMPIRE
The mad Shōgun Yoritomo has been assassinated by the Stormdancer Yukiko, and the threat of civil war looms over the Shima Imperium. The Lotus Guild conspires to renew the nation’s broken dynasty and crush the growing rebellion simultaneously – by endorsing a new Shōgun who desires nothing more than to see Yukiko dead.

A DARK LEGACY
Yukiko and the mighty thunder tiger Buruu have been cast in the role of heroes by the Kagé rebellion. But Yukiko herself is blinded by rage over her father’s death, and her ability to hear the thoughts of beasts is swelling beyond her power to control. Along with Buruu, Yukiko’s anchor is Kin, the rebel Guildsman who helped her escape from Yoritomo’s clutches. But Kin has his own secrets, and is haunted by visions of a future he’d rather die than see realized.

A GATHERING STORM
Kagé assassins lurk within the Shōgun’s palace, plotting to end the new dynasty before it begins. A waif from Kigen’s gutters begins a friendship that could undo the entire empire. A new enemy gathers its strength, readying to push the fracturing Shima imperium into a war it cannot hope to survive. And across raging oceans, amongst islands of black glass, Yukiko and Buruu will face foes no katana or talon can defeat.

The ghosts of a blood-stained past.

This book nearly did me in. So much emotion! It was a book that once I started reading I couldn't hardly look away but at the same time I could hardly stand to read it because it felt like my heart was being ripped out, over and over again. I felt like there was so much terror and pain and just, frustration. Just so many emotions all balled up. I loved people and I hated people and sometimes it was the same person that I'd love and hate all in the same moment. Things were just wild and crazy and it was just so hard to read, and so hard to look away!

Yukiko was great, but I have to admit that I wasn't feeling her at the start. I was frustrated with her, but as the story continued that frustration went away. This book draws in several different perspectives and while Yukiko is still a main character, her portions were somewhat small compared to the whole story. I initially was worried about this, I just wanted her and Buruu and that's it. But as I got to know some others they really grew on me. And I think it was important for us to see all the different perspectives and places. Because there were people in the palace, there was the Kage resistance and then there was Yukiko, who ended up somewhere else through much of it. So with the different POV's we got to see what was going on everywhere.

One thing that was ripping my heart out is that not all of the 'good guys' are always the 'good guys'. They sometimes do bad things and some actions and injustices had me screaming in my head. I wanted to reach in and strangle some people. Really, they ruined EVERYTHING. ARG. So this isn't actually a negative in the story, it was just something that got me all worked up. Which is actually a positive I guess. Even though it makes me angry... but I think you get my point.

The world building was fantastic, the characters were great and the whole thing was just brilliant. I'm not even sure what to say about the book. It was one of the most emotional books I've read this year. I am seriously worked up. And while the ending isn't really a cliffhanger, there's so much left to happen that it almost felt like it. Especially in regards to one character that I just have no idea what to think of. The twist, while we got hints to it, still caught me off guard. I just didn't believe it could really happen. I'm going to be dying until the next book. I really hope that things can work out!

Disclosure: I received this book for review purposes, all opinions expressed are my own and I was not paid or influenced in any way.

Sunday, December 1, 2013

My Week in Instagram- In the Mail, Prize Winnings and More

Happy Sunday everyone! (And Whoa, it's December!)

This post is in my week according to instagram. It's mostly the books I got but I take random pictures sometimes too. Also, make sure you follow me on instagram, I follow back!

I've had a migraine for a few days so I know I'm SO far behind on commenting and stuff. This coming up week is going to be a busy one but I'm really hoping I can get caught up on everything, including my commenting!

A couple weeks ago I bought these two. I might have shared this in a previous post, I don't remember! A Study in Silks was a compulse buy cause it sounds so good! I love the Christina Henry books and it's a series I've been able to keep up with so hopefully I can read this one soon.

I finally read Kinslayer this last week, review posts tomorrow. SO FREAKING GOOD!

Best prize package EVER came all the way from Germany! Thank you Sandra Schwab for the book (which sounds amazing, it's gothic romance!), chocolate (long gone now!) and tea (really good tea!) along with a nice note and some bookmarks and stuff. This package made my day! I won this at Bookish, I believe. So thanks to those ladies as well.

I also won an awesome time travelers pendant necklace. This is from PK Hrezo who is the author of the AMAZING Butterman (Time) Travel, Inc (I'm doing the tour for this one, look at my sidebar and sign up!). Thanks PK for the awesome necklace, I love it!