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Saturday, December 3, 2011

Review + Giveaway: Unleashed by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie

Title: Unleashed
Author: Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie
Series: Wolf Springs Chronicles #1
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Release Date: 11/22/11
Reviewed by: Sara
But the Book:
buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery
Summary:
Katelyn McBride’s life changed in an instant when her mother died. Uprooted from her California home, Katelyn was shipped to the middle of nowhere, Arkansas, to her only living relative, her grandfather. And now she has to start over in Wolf Springs, a tiny village in the Ozark Mountains. Like any small town, Wolf Springs has secrets. But the secrets hidden here are more sinister than Katelyn could ever imagine. It’s a town with a history that reaches back centuries, spans continents, and conceals terrifying truths. And Katelyn McBride is about to change everything.

Broken families, ageless grudges, forced alliances, and love that blooms in the darkest night -- welcome to Wolf Springs.


Plot: 4.5 Stars
There was a cloud of mystery surrounding this entire novel that gave it a fantastically creepy feel. Wolf Springs itself was a pretty mysterious and creepy place filled with mysterious and creepy people. The setting really gave a lot to the rest of the novel, and allowed for some storylines that may not have worked in a more urban setting. Although I figured out pretty early what the paranormal creature in this novel was, it was still interesting to follow Katelyn as she figured it out. And I was definitely surprised by who was and wasn’t said paranormal creature. There were many twists and turns in this novel, many of which I didn’t expect. I really liked how some of the mystery was figured out, but other parts have been left to explore more in future books. It really makes me antsy in anticipation for the next novel. This is definitely a great addition to Paranormal Young Adult.

Pace: 4.5 Stars
This was a fast-paced novel that I read in only a few sitting. What sucked me in so quickly was the weirdness of Wolf Springs and its residents. I wanted to know what was going on and why everyone was so strange. Katelyn’s grandfather’s strict rules about not going in to the woods after dark only furthered my curiosity. Just when things seemed to be getting a bit more normal with schoolwork and parties, something crazy would happen to suck me right back in. Although the novel didn’t end with a cliffhanger exactly, it did end right as Kat had a revelation that could definitely change things. And it left me wanting more. I can’t wait for the next novel in this series to come out.

Characters: 4.5 Stars
In a small town like Wolf Springs, everyone knows everyone, so it was the talk of the town when Katelyn showed up after her mother’s death to live with her grandfather. She had a lot of her plate: dealing with her grief, leaving her home and best friend, starting at a new school, and trying to make new friends. I think she dealt with everything pretty well, especially when thrown into weird positions. I would have liked to learn a bit more about her late parents and best friend, Kimi, and hope more information about them appears in future books. I also don’t feel like I learned that much about her grandfather, considering Kat was living with him. But the air of mystery surrounding him made him an interesting character. Trick was Kat’s ride to school, and kind of a weird dude (in a good way). He didn’t always make sense and didn’t get along with some of the other kids, but he was a great character. Cordelia, on the other hand, was a very frustrating character. Her moods flip-flopped constantly and she was always very vague when answering questions. She was hiding a big secret, but sometimes it was too frustrating. And her family was all kinds of dysfunctional.

Cover: 4 Stars
The top half of the cover works a lot better than the bottom half. I like the full moon in the woods. It gives the cover a mysterious feel that really fits Wolfs Springs. It also hints at the paranormal aspect of the novel. The bottom half comes across very over-dramatic vampire movie to me. The hands gripping the cover model’s head, along with the way she leans her head back to expose her neck, just screams vampires instead of werewolves. There’s also a bit of dead space around the cover model and the mysterious arms. But I absolutely love the font chosen for the title, and really like when the series title is included. The way the title splits the cover in half is very unique, and really draws the eye. The navy blue color chosen for the cover is a great choice because it really fits the mood of the novel.

Overall: 4.5 Stars

Disclosure: I received a copy of this novel for review from the publisher.



Giveaway:
I have three (3) copies of Unleashed to giveaway! To enter, just answer the following question: Would you rather live in a tight-knit small town, or a large urban city?

Giveaway Rules:
1. Must leave a comment answering the question.
2. Must leave a valid e-mail address.
3. Giveaway is open to the US only.
4. Giveaway is open until midnight on Wednesday 12/14.
5. Winners will be chosen on Thursday 12/15 using random.org.

53 comments:

  1. I think it would be cool to live in a small, tight-knit town, where you know practically everyone. I lived in a fairly small town when I was young, but since then I've lived in larger cites or suburbs. Those small towns fascinate me though.

    Barbed1951 at aol dot com

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  2. I would like to live in a tight-knit small town.

    myra0502 at yahoo dot com

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  3. Sara,

    Thank you for hosting this giveaway. I've had Unleashed on my wishlist for a while now. :)

    I have always lived in smaller towns - so I think I'm more inclined to live in a small town than a big urban city. I like the sounds of the critters at dusk and the quiet of the evening. I don't think I would like the sounds of the big city. :)

    Michelle
    kweenmg@yahoo dot com

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  4. I've always preferred large cities to small towns. The problem with small towns is that if there are people you don't like, you can't ever get away from them.
    jen(at)delux(dot)com

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  5. Uhh, could I choose in between? I think the small town would make me go crazy. Always wanting more--like Belle from Beauty and the Beast. But living in the city--which when using that term makes me think BIG city, I don't know if I'd like that either. Too big, too dangerous.

    But if I have to choose one, I think I would go for the small town. Where evvvvvverybody knows your nammmmmmmme!!!

    jessica(DOT)agreatread(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  6. I would like to live in a small,tight-knit town..just becuz Ive always lived in the big city and itd be a nice change:)

    Lisa

    life_is_unpredictable29@yahoo.com

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  7. I think I prefer a small town atmosphere...it provides the comfort, safety and familiarity of "home" and what it SHOULD feel like. I've lived in large cities and have lost that connection with my fellow human; it's depressing! I'd much rather have someone know me and my "business" than to be another face in the crowd.
    Brandi P.
    pipesheart@aol.com

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  8. I've lived in or on the edge of cities, but did live in a small college town in Iowa for a few years. Not small enough for everyone to know your name and business most of the year because of the influx of students, but the summers were inward-focused. Didn't like it. Too "close" for comfort.

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  9. I would prefer to live in the large urban city. I think the small town would be nice to visit but would get boring to live in for a long period of time. Plus everyone would always know everything about you and there would be no real secrets.

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

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  11. I would definitely rather live in a small close knit community. There is just something about being able to know and depend on those around you. Sure, you give up a certain amount of privacy and small communitis can be judgemental, but that happens everywhere.
    brandisbookmusings(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  12. Tight-knit small town. I've lived in one my entire life and I can't imagine hustle and bustle of a big city. I love living int the woods and having privacy, and fantasizing about what is lurking out in the woods :)

    Jess
    jessbierschied at gmail dot com

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  13. I've lived in both. So I'm going to go with the urban city so at least not everyone would know your business.
    e.sadlersfan@yahoo.com

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  14. Thanks for having us at the blog, Sara! I think the smallest "town" I've lived in was a Navy base. It was definitely a fishbowl!

    Happy Holidays, Everyone!

    Nancy

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  15. my daughter is getting me this book for christmas i cant wait to read it. the cover is amazing. im a cover girl they get me or dont and yours got me.. wow.

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  16. i like my small town i know almost everyone and i can walk from one side to the other in 30 minutes.

    terri_dion@hotmail.com

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  17. I grew up kinda in between. I like the smaller size where you're not afraid to let your kid go out and play but I kinda like my privacy too.

    If I had to choose either way; I guess I would choose smaller.

    Thanks for the contest!
    mark_bakerette2004@yahoo.com

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  18. I've always thought that it would be neat to live in a very small town. Where everyone knows everyone and you can walk down the street and say hi to everyone you know. don't think I would like to live in a big city. Not with small ones anyway. My email is mzzdiamonds@aol.com

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  19. I have always been a hermit type. I love staying at home, minding my own business and so the city would be it for me! In a small town I would always have people wondering why I don't leave my house :) The city is a place that you can just drown in, always something to do (if you wanted)
    cubicleblindness at gmail.com

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  20. I've lived in both a small town and a Large city. Prefer each to some extent. A large town gives me the convenience of being able to just drive a little ways and go somewhere rather than drive hours to go to the same place. A small town gives me security of knowing many more people in town, small towns feel safer. I live in a small town now, I couldn't dream of raising my daughter anywhere else. So I would choose the small tight-knit town to live.

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  21. I have lived in both a small town and a large city i loved them both but at this point in my life i would rather live in a large city because i like adventures and no one is holding me back from anything.

    rlowe7015@msn.com

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  22. I live in a small town, I like it because i know where everything is, but I have never been to a big city, so I wouldn't know what that is like. I would want to live in a small close knit town, I love it!

    korra_950@hotmail.com

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  23. I would like to live in a a large urban city. I grew up in a big city but now I live in a small town I hate it I feel like I am trap no where to go have fun or any thing. Juana Andrade johanna_chicana@yahoo.com

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  25. I would say I would prefer a tight-knit town instead. I have never been a fan of large urban cities. I like the comfort and closeness of tight-night communities :-)

    hgronholz@gmail.com

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  26. Would you rather live in a tight-knit small town, or a large urban city?

    Well since I live in a big city, well not really it's a suburb that's located right close to a large city, so the buses run back and forth between it. Since I'm so use to that I would love to try living in a small town where everyone knows everyone. I think that would be very cool to live in a place like that. Since I could probably meet a boy too >////< hehe :P

    My email adress is:
    red_tigergirl2@hotmail.com

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  28. i would like a small town,,
    noliea@sbcglobal.net

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  29. I feel like I'd want to live in a small, tight knit town, because then I'd know everyone firly well. there could be a sense of security if I knew everyone. also, there'd be a better chance of seeing the stars in a smaller town because of less pollution. that would be nice :)

    Thanks for the giveaway!!
    -Alyssa S.
    lilleetleet@verizon.net

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  31. I would definitely prefer a small town. While I go to a very large university, and enjoy the perks, I am glad it is not in a big city. I would feel lost, and depressed without the fresh air and a chance to walk a little ways and get away from it all.
    (Sorry, forgot my email men5078(at)gmail(dott)com)

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  32. I want a large urban city. Small towns would bore me. :P

    jenelleriane at yahoo dot com

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  33. Definitely a large urban city. I already live in the small town :-)

    justforswag(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

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  34. I like the small town live in one I have to say I do miss a book store the only one we had closed but do love Amazon :) I can't wait to read this book thank you so much for the great giveaway!
    tishajean@ charter.net

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  35. I've had the opportunity to live in both and chose to live in a small tight knit community. I'm also fortunate enough to be just a 2 hour train ride away from NYC so I feel like I have the best of both worlds without sacrificing!

    CatherineScott17 at hotmail dot com

    BTW...a big fan of your blog! I love having a go-to for book recommendations. Thanks!

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  36. Definitely, live in a small, tight-knit town.

    alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
    http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  37. i like the idea of a small town where everyone knows everyone but then - everyone knows everyone's business. i prefer to be a bit more anonymous and think i like the bigger city atmosphere. there's usually more going on in a big city. thanks for the giveaway!

    twee66 at gmail dot com

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  38. I already live in, what you call, a tight-knit small town. Have for all my life. I think I would be terrified to live in a large urban city, but as the saying goes, don't knock tell you try it. Someday I just might, but for now I love my tight-knit small town. Thank for the giveaway.

    P_Sykette@hotmail.com

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  39. I would rather live in a big city because I wouldn't want everyone to know my business...which would happen in small towns.

    thanks for the giveaway.

    Littopandaxpress(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  40. I prefer the urban/suburban areas because of the anonymity. I grew up in a relatively small area where everyone knew everyone and everyone's business-it can be a bit invasive.

    Thanks for the giveaway!
    mljfoland AT hotmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by Sara's Urban Fantasy Blog! I'd love to here what's on your mind. :)