Okay, I normally don't do this kind of posts but Curiosity Quills Press is one of my favourite publishers and I really enjoy reviewing their books. That's why I thought I might know some people who would also enjoy it.

 

They are now hosting an event to gain more reviewers in their mailing lists, and as a reward for just signing up you'll get three books of choice from their ebook catalogue. If you would PM me and allow me to tell them I sent you there, I also get three books (which be nice as I really like their books).

 

I did a quick check of my reading stats this year and so far this year I've read 29 of their books. That's almost 14% of what I've read this year!

 

I think they publish around 10 books a month, in all kinds of different genres. I've been on their reviewers list for a while now and I generally receive two emails a month (which I'm usually even looking forward to): one announcing new books that can be requested for review, and one invitation to join on one or more blog tours. What I really like is that you don't have to enter anything and it's just fine not to participate if you're busy or don't think you'll like the books.

 

Some of the books eventually make it up to Netgalley, but I noticed many do not.

 

Every time I mailed with the staff they have been really friendly, and even writing a negative review for a blog tour (I once wrote a two star review on a book that just wasn't for me and the response I got was just 'too bad, these things happen, hope you enjoy your next book better') is not a problem (which is something I find really important and which is why I'm really hesitant to enter other blog tours).

 

You can find more information on this event here.

For most twelve year olds, being kidnapped is terrifying. For Althea, it’s just Tuesday.

 

Her power to heal the wounded and cleanse the sick makes her a hunted commodity in the Badlands, a place devoid of technology where the strong write the law in blood. For as long as she can remember, they always come, they always take her, and she lets them. Passed around in an endless series of abductions, she obeys without question―mending those who killed to own her.

 

After three whole months in the same village, the affection of a young warrior makes her feel almost like a member of the tribe rather than a captive. Her brief joy shatters when raiders seize her yet again; for the first time in six years, being stolen hurts.

 

A reluctant escape sends her wandering, and she realizes her gift is a prize that causes as much death as it prevents. Her attempt to return to the tribe leaves her lost and alone, hounded at every turn. When a family who sees her not as the Prophet―but as a little girl―takes her in, she finds the courage to use her power to protect those she loves.

 

A strange man from a world beyond her imagining tests her newfound resolve, seeking to use her power to further his own agenda. Tired of being property, her freedom boils down to one question:

 

Can Althea balance the sanctity with which she holds all life against the miserable truth that some people deserve to die?

 

This review is part of the April Books Blog Tour (ironically in May) from Curiosity Quills Press. I'd like to thank them for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review!

 

I really quite liked this one. For me it was a refreshing post-apocalyptic novel. Althea has the power to heal the wounded. Very useful in every situation but especially so when it's to kill or be killed. And living in the Badlands is, as the name suggests, quite bad. 

 

Although the world is interesting, many questions remain unanswered. I suppose more answers will be given in a next book, as this one starts out with Althea not knowing anything either.

 

But my only real problem with the book is that so much is happening. Althea is kidnapped a number of times, and even then a lot happens in between those moments. In a 420 pages novel it's nice to sometimes have a moment of rest. I liked the part in Querq best, but like all the other parts, it was rather short.

 

I'm very curious towards the next book and definitely plan to read it. :)

 

Prophet of the Badlands is the first book in the new The Awakened series. The next books are called Archon's Queen and Grey Ronin, but they are not published yet.

 

 

Born in a little town known as South Amboy NJ in 1973, Matthew has been creating science fiction and fantasy worlds for most of his reasoning life. Somewhere between fifteen to eighteen of them spent developing the world in which Division Zero, Virtual Immortality, and The Awakened Series take place. He has several other projects in the works as well as a collaborative science fiction endeavor with author Tony Healey.

 

Hobbies and Interests: Matthew is an avid gamer, a recovered WoW addict, Gamemaster for two custom systems (Chronicles of Eldrinaath [Fantasy] and Divergent Fates [Sci Fi], and a fan of anime, British humour (

 

This book should be made into a movie!!!


Do you like reading books with badass heroines in it? What about powers? Maybe you like reading about different places and different types of people? Or maybe you just like the thrill and the action?

It's all here!!!! I promise you!!!

You will not be disappointed!!!!!

*breathes*

Okay... So what is this story all about?

It's all about a twelve year old girl named Althea. In many ways, she's just like a normal girl. She likes simple things like eating, running, having a safe place to sleep, having a family, making her sister brush her hair, talking to nice animals.. things like that. However, in some ways, she's entirely different. You see, Althea has powers. Powers that almost everybody wants to possess and because of that, she is always the hunted. Despite being so kind, she is often tricked, abused and just plain captured. Once she's free... she goes through so many adventures, if you can call them that. She meets so many people that I even thought I would see lots of them again in the end, considering that this book is quite long, but no. The other characters that she meets are with her forever, but some just pass by. One person in particular kept her going. Den. You'd think it's puppy love, what with their ages, but the way I read it... They have a great potential as a couple. :) Looking forward to that! Den is my first fave /other/ character, the second is Shepherd, third would be Karina. Both of the latter characters will have great impacts on Althea's life... but I won't say how. READ IT! ^_^

What I like most about Althea's character is not her ability to influence the mind of other people... instead, I love her ability to always, always, think of the good in them first. It may sound naive, but that's what I like about her. The fact that she is hunted over and over again, but she stays true to her belief that life is precious is actually a gift all on its own.


The plot is very, very, very unique in my opinion. It's set in so many places and so many kinds of people are in it too, so boredom will be a thing of the past for readers. In line with that, I can definitely say that the author can make you imagine what he wants you to see. He's so good at creating a world full of... all things different! I swear! It's amazing how such mismatched places could exist in only one world. You'll feel the need to go back to the stone age then move forward up to the most technological future world that you can think of. It's full of action. One minute she's captured, the next she has escaped and you have to go back to review what happened! Who helped her? What did she do? Gosh! This book needs your focus because every detail counts! This book will be loved by many! I hope it becomes a movie!!!




Read this and watch out for Althea. She will definitely make you want to hug her. She will want to make you be her friend, family etc. Me? I want to be her! I'll take all the danger anytime because man oh man.. She is one great character!

Now I'm not a professional reviewer. I'm just a reader who.. well.. happens to read a lot and embrace different genres. However, even with my lack of professional skills in reviewing, I would definitely say that this book is worth your time, worth your money and worth the emotions!

Now my only problem is I really, really want that next book now! Hah!

Moonlight Reader started the TBR Thursday, and I think it's a good way to a) show what new books I've got and b) confront myself with my inability to lower my TBR. In fact, since I started recording it, it has risen significantly. I get the feeling I'm doing something wrong here...

 

It feels like I've had a very good week, even though in the end I got more books than I first anticipated. However, I'm very happy with them and one (When the heavens fall) was a very nice surprise since I was asked to read it after reading the preview on Netgalley!