Residue blog tour: review
It's Friday and where we live on the East Coast, it is finally spring. Yay! What's great about spring is the reawakening of trees and plants and the birth of new things. When I think of the last book I read, which happens to be the featured novel of the day, I also think about birth and new things. Jocelyn has no idea who she really is or what she can do and as mysteries are revealed to her she blossoms into an awesome witch. Welcome to our stop on the Residue Blog Tour hosted by AToMR Book Blogs. Besides our review, there are two giveaways. Have a great weekend and make sure to get outside and enjoy spring.
Residue (Residue #1) by Laury Falter
YA paranormal*ebook, 300 pages
Published April 13th 2012 by Laury Falter
Published April 13th 2012
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
When Jocelyn Weatherford is whisked away from a preparatory academy in upstate New York to live with her extended family in New Orleans, she is unprepared to encounter the dangers awaiting her. Yet even as she is thrust into an unfamiliar world of witches and voodoo magic, the greatest threat of all may be the boy she has fallen for.
While handsome and charming, he is also a Caldwell... a member of the family the Weatherford's have been feuding with for centuries. As their forbidden love grows it becomes the volatile spark that forever changes their world and everyone in it.
About the author:
Laury Falter
Laury Falter is the author of the bestselling Guardian Trilogy. She writes young adult paranormal romances and urban fantasy when she's not taking her stray dogs for a walk or enjoying a date night with her husband.
Laury has released two series, the Guardian Trilogy and the Residue Series (a spinoff of the Guardian Trilogy books), and is currently releasing her third series, the Apocalypse Chronicles.
I know I'm always mentioning my love for vampires but I've recently read so many good/great books featuring other supernatural beings, I may have to rethink my love affair with bloodsuckers. There's always been a fondness for witches in my reading heart (thanks to Anne Rice, she's also the reason for my vampire fan girl status), and when Residue became available on a tour I knew I had to read it.
Residue is a rejuvenating read. Jocelyn (16) doesn't have any idea she's not a normal teen girl tucked away at a prep school in upstate New York (where I live, ha!) when a strange burning mark appears on her arm. Taken to the nurse's office, she is surprised when she is told to pack and go--like leave the only place she's known since she was five years old. Jocelyn is cool with it though, despite her wonderment.
Whisked off to New Orleans with an aunt, she is taken to her family's house. In regards of world building, I loved the switch of location to New Orleans. What better place to receive an education in witchcraft and magic than in the home place of all things mystical, cool and weird? While shopping for school supplies, Jocelyn meets an intense young man she has no idea will change her life. Her encounter with Jameson (love their names!) is memorable and sweet. He's quiet, mature and immediately protective of the girl who's just learned about her secret family heritage.
Residue is like a contemporary retelling of Romeo and Juliet with a killer setting and magical characters. The Weatherfords have been feuding with the Caldwells for centuries and each family is fiercely defensive of their own. Jameson and Jocelyn keep their relationship quiet but how long will it last?
The main characters are immensely likable and I enjoyed their playful banter. Jocelyn's feisty, loves colorful flamboyant clothing (after years of wearing a uniform I can't blame her) and her 'outsider' status enables her to view the 'feuding families' history with a fresh outlook. Jameson is also unique since he doesn't let his family's beliefs cloud his judgment anymore--he thinks outside of the box, especially when he realizes how innocent Jocelyn is to decades of strife. Love is powerful and as these families continue their warring ways, another threat rises intensifying an already intense situation.
The story moved along at a steady pace. The author gave us the right amount of description and detail to tell the story without over doing it. The magical elements were cool (gris gris bags and voodoo dolls). The main characters are strong and unique but I felt the large cast of secondary characters could have been better fleshed out. I did enjoy the relatives of each family and wanted to see more. Since this is the first book in a series, I believe there is a lot more magic, mayhem and forbidden love to come in the Residue series. Move over vamps, make room for the Weatherfords and Caldwells!
Rating: 4
Cover comment:
I've seen other covers employing a similar pose with the rich blue background. It works here but I did picture Jocelyn with darker hair.
Book source:
I received a promotional copy in return for my honest review.
Giveaway #1:
Three (3) signed copies of Residue; US only
Giveaway #2:
Eight (8) ecopies of Residue: Mobi or Nook only; gifted from Amazon or B&N; open internationally
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I like the feuding families plot. It makes it so rewarding when the couple finds a way around it.
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