Thursday, March 15, 2012

Exiled by M.R. Merrick + Giveaway

Source: Purchased eBook

My Summary:

Chase was supposed to celebrate his fifteenth birthday by claiming his elemental magic, but the ceremony brought no such power.  And the only celebration was his father leading the circle in exiling him to live with the rest of the mortals.  Too bad the demons didn't get the memo because they still seem to think he's a hunter worthy of death.  Fighting to survive since that birthday, Chase is now facing his eighteenth birthday.  This time, it's the impossible truths about the circles real plans that are unnerving his life.  But with proof all around him, Chase has no choice but to join the half-demon Rayne and try to stop them.  The problem is, how can they possible win against....? 

My Thoughts:





4 stars - a great read

This book is from Chase's POV and I absolutely loved that!  I've really been drawn to the male POV lately, not sure why.  I do know that Chase's voice rings very authentic and male.  Could be the male author but he really sounded like a guy.  I so enjoyed his thought process.  He made some whopper poor decisions and I could so see that jump in and think later mentality that is common among young men.  Did I just insult guys?  Well I didn't mean to if I did.  I just see it so much as a teacher and it's just the way it is.  What I'm trying to say is that Chase is a real guy.  He made mistakes.  His ego got in the way.  He picked himself up and tried again.  He is also this kickbutt fighter that I was cheering for.  And he learned a few things, not everything mind you - well there' s hope for the sequel right?  I kept comparing him to a younger Jace (The City of Bones by Cassandra Clare).  Chase has some of the same snarky comments, the same kickbutt skills, and I think he's cute - oh I should come up with a different word there cause Chase doesn't really like the idea of cute.  See he does seem a little like Jace!

I wasn't as drawn to Rayne.  I think it might be because she isn't in as much of the book as Chase is.  I did like the way she dished it out to Chase when she was around.  She broke his nose the first time they met - yeah that's my girl!  The fact that they actually became friends after that kinda tells you how it is between them.  Oh I got some pretty clear hints that she likes Chase.  Now Chase likes her too but he's in that male cluelessness stage of things.  I can hope for the sequel, right!?

I will admit that the story wasn't perfect.  But I loved these characters so much that I overlooked a few things.  What's an editing error when you have Chase being snarky?  The story zipped along a roller coaster track diving from urban fantasy to epic fantasy and back again.  Enjoyed that ride for sure.  Some of the clues that the author left I figured out and some I didn't - just the way I like it.  Best of all, my mind was still thinking things over well after I finished the book.  Must move the sequel quickly up the TBR list!

The end had me crying.  No cliffhanger or anything like that.  It was just sad.  Chase doesn't get a pass on anything.  Guess that's what makes him Chase, but a girl can cry for him anyway.

If you like a charismatic hero's that make mistakes and still kicks butt, then you should so pick up Exiled.  And hold on for the ride!

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***GIVEAWAY***

So I loved Exiled so much, that I want to share with you guys.  This is an author that may not get as much attention as some but his books are so worth the time.  So I"m giving away an eBook copy of Exiled.  Just follow StuckInBooks and fill out the rafflecopter below.  Extra entries for spreading the word.  Make sure to follow the instructions so I don't have to delete your entry.  Enjoy!

*****NEW***** Check out this giveaway for book 2 in this series! From Tea and Text.
 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

44 comments:

  1. I think the barren tree and the fire on the cover make it look really exciting.

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  2. I have read Exiled n Totally n Absolutely loved it,none of ya'll will be disappointed!!

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  3. This was one of my favorite books I read last year, and Shift is one of my favorites this year. Matt is just friggin amazing!! I love how he really develops all of the characters. And OMG the action!! Fantastic review!!! I so agree with you, and you really do need to move Shift up your TBR pile. You will devour it!

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  4. I had to stop by and say how much I loved this book! It had me from the first page! I loved the action and the way he describes the action scenes and characters. I could totally picture them in my mind. Great story! And I also love books from the male POV. I'm really looking forward to reading Shift. Great review! And we both know how awesome the author is too! :-)

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  5. The cover looks interesting, and I love male POV!

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  6. It sounds like this would be a really good book! I'd love to read it : )

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  7. I like to get the Male pov as well sometimes. Plus I like a little kick butt action too!!

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  8. I love that it's from a male POV. I don't seem to read those as often, but when it's done well, it can be so great.

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  9. I have two sons so I am always on the lookout for books from the male POV, so that catches me first. Then I love books where a power doesn't materialize and the person has to do something on their own or with someone considered the enemy or another outsider. I'm fascinated by that.

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  10. This books sounds like a great adventure! And I've always loved male POVs.

    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  11. This book sounds so awesome, plus I love reading books from the male pov!

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  12. The books sounds intriguing - I love how you compared Chase to Jace - one of my favorite male characters!

    Thanks!
    Leanne

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  13. Everything looks good! :D
    I really love the cover though. (And the Jace comparison.)

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    1. I love the cover and I liked the author's voice for Chase based on a short sample I read somewhere a few weeks back. Thanks for the giveaway! :)

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  15. Hearing the male point of view is awesome because only a handful of books actually have that but the cover, with the tree and fire, is what caught my eye the first time I saw it. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  16. I think that this story line is very interesting because i have not heard of anything like it before. I also love that it is in the male perspective which does not happen very much, but when it does it brings a whole new dimension to a story.

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  17. I like the cover & the story sounds interesting.

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  18. Hi
    Just the summary made me want to read it, specially because the here will have to team up with a half demon. Sounds really interesting!!

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  19. I don't read a lot of demon stories and this one sounds like a good one.

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  20. I like the mystery and paranormal elements.

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  21. I just did a review on this book this week too Val! What's really funny is that I LOVED Rayna and Chase took time to grow on me. LOL Can't wait to read Shift now!

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  22. This entire series looks great! I've heard people raving about it for so long (Loretta). I just need to get around to reading my copy of Shift! (Plus the covers are STUnNING!

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  23. The cover is FANTASTIC! I read some reviews on it and they are all so good I can't wait to read it!

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  24. I really like the cover but the content of the book also sounds great. I would love to read it.

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  25. The cover looks Amazing! And the experts look really interesting!
    I really want to read this one.

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  26. It will be interesting to see how he is able to fight off the demons without any powers of his own. Or... to see if maybe the powers were just caught in traffic somewhere along the way and they come with a bang. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Jaime Lester
    jeepgirl529@yahoo.com

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  27. I like the tree. A tree has a lot of different meaning to them :)

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  28. I love books YA. Especilly YA about magic and an exiled teen is always good too!

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  30. The story looks interesting. And the cover, the clash of the fire and water, it's interesting enough to question why the cover is that.

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  31. It sounds like a really good book. I like the whole idea of the hunter becoming the hunted after loosing their powers. Like I said, it sounds interesting.

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  32. Love the cover. The story sounds very interesting.

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  33. I think with me it's also the male point of view in this book that makes me want to read it. You just don't see that very often in young adult books so I would bve interested in seeing how it's handled in Exiled.

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  35. It sounds really good and the cover is cool. :)

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  36. It sounds really good and the cover is cool. :)

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  37. The book sounds good and I wonder if he'll get his magic late or if it was blocked from him? I also wonder how his own father could exile him.

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  38. It sounds like the author did an excellent job creating a character that the audience will root for and support. I can't wait to read it.

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  39. The cover looks cool and the books sounds awesome!!

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