Friday, February 17, 2012

Blog Tour Review: All's Fair In Vanities War, by Elizabeth Marx (& Giveaway!)




Salem’s always held sinister secrets. No one understands this better than a sixteen-year-old girl who dies on Halloween night and is reborn a Seer.

The Seer can’t imagine anything worse than being an invisible teenager with enormous black wings. Until she finds out she’s been sacrificed to watch over Locke’s new flame.

Locke Cavanaugh is a Druid, and part of the Order, a clandestine organization entrusted with keeping its members cloaked in the Ordinary world. Physically scarred from the accident that took his girlfriends life, Locke is searching for the OtherWorldly magic that damaged him, because only those without blemish can rule the Order. And once at the helm of the Order he has every intention of finding those responsible for her death.

On the West Coast, Keleigh Flaherty witnesses her parents’ murder by beasts that should only exist in nightmares. She is whisked off to the safety of Salem, where she learns how potent and dangerous her concealed Vate talents are. Keleigh wants to be Ordinary, but when her mother reaches out from the OtherWorld, and implores her to find a forgotten relic she’ll have to use all her ExtraOrdinary powers to locate it.

As Locke and Keleigh join forces, they unravel the Order’s involvement in the witch hysteria and murmurs of a Celtic prophecy. While Locke’s affection for Keleigh blooms, The Seer is torn between her duty to protect Keleigh, and her desire to stop Locke from making the ultimate sacrifice in order to earn Keleigh’s love . . .

But if they don’t find the witches bottle before the ShiningOnes do, someone stalking Keleigh from the shadows will take her instead and plunge all worlds into chaos.
I want to start by saying that after reading this book (which I did a while ago but had to wait for the blog tour to post my review), I knew this could be one of those books where people would either understand it and fall madly in love with it - or they'd just get confused and give up. I've seen both and can understand both sides. Fortunately for me, I fell madly in love with it.

This book is chock full of history, mythology and plot. Add to that it's written from the point of view of the Seer and not necessarily one of the main characters the book focuses on (Keleigh/Locke), you have the potential to be overwhelmed. I think I can safely say this book is not meant to be read quickly or skimmed through - it's intended for those that can sit down and fully immerse themselves in the rich details written on page upon page. If you have that sort of time, then you definitely won't regret it.

There was an amazing cast of characters starring in this book. Keleigh is the sort of girl that just tries to blend in with everyone else, when she truly stands out no matter what she does. Locke is a wild spirit that I honestly can't pin down with just a few words because he is truly everywhere with his personality and emotions. Both Keleigh and Locke's best friends are amazing supporting characters, full of charm and loyalty. Over all of the characters though, I think the Seer was the one that struck me as one of the most intriguing. Perhaps it was because the book was from her POV mostly, but her personality and wit really added another level to the story. It was strange to read the story from a secondary character's perspective, but it also added something unique to the story that I don't think would have been present had the POV from the story been from someone else. And even though the story is told from her POV, the Seer is still something of a mystery that keeps the element of intrigue that isn't necessarily quenched by the end of the story - making it impossible not to want to read more about her.

All's Fair In Vanities War has everything that I could ask for in a great read and I cannot wait to read more. If after reading my review, you're not in the least timid by this book... then I would wholly recommend checking it out.

Rating: ★★★★
Source: Author


If you would like to have the chance to win one of TWO e-book copies of All's Fair in Vanities War, simply comment on this review post with a valid e-mail to enter. Winners will be chosen next Wednesday, February 22, 2012.

Would you like the chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card? Head on over to The Seer's Facebook page, leave a comment on the wall with your favorite line from All's Fair in Vanities War and you're automatically entered!


Title: All's Fair In Vanities War
Author:
Elizabeth Marx
Series:
The Seer's Seven Deadly Fairy Tales
Publisher:
Self-Published
Format:
Kindle Edition
Release Date:
October 24, 2011

Purchase Book
Amazon | Barnes & Noble

17 comments:

Jenny Q said...

It does sound like it could be confusing, but it also sounds very interesting and different. Please enter me! JDQ1175@aol.com

Prangon said...

I haven't seen allot of All's Fair In Vanities War before, I am actually seeing it here for the first time.
The cover art is really very pretty, and the blurb sounds like something I would give it a go.
Great review :)
thenerdinheels@gmail.com

Mallory Heart Reviews said...

I am so totally not confused and so totally determined I must read this book-both the cover art, the blurb, and your excellent review are captivating. Your description of how the reader needs time and dedication to allow herself to sink into the book remind me of "A Discovery of Witches," also a very lengthy and detailed book. I am determined to read this book somehow! A very generous giveaway offer.
Archie.Standwood.Author@gmail.com

Petra said...

I'm SO excited about this book! :) And the cover is just amazing!

shilohova@gmail.com

Jennifer @ Bad Bird Reads said...

A whole lot of mythology and a great cast of characters? I'm there. Thanks for the giveaway.
autumnflower6(at)aol(dot)com

Natalie @ Book Lovers Life said...

Thanks so much for the chance. Love the cover and it sounds like something Id enjoy.

natcleary(at)gmail(dot)com

Ally said...

OOh La La yay!! thank u! thank u my friend!!
bay-beealencia(at)hotmail(dot)com

Angelique said...

Sounds pretty much like something I would adore, please enter me!
willowwind@gmail.com

Unknown said...

The title and the cover really caught me so I'm in, hope I win! rhiannonpaille@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

the book has a great cover and great story... if you have trouble with books with grammar and spelling issues, however, it might not be the book for you.

Graeme Stokes said...

The Seer and Keleigh sounds like the angst of growing up and trying to understand what the world has to offer... as a father of two incredible daughter's I can relate to the story. Please include my email into the melting pot. graeme.stokes@xtra.co.nz

Booknut 101 said...

It sounds wonderful - a must read if there ever was one! Well, e-mail is countess4tlanth@gmail.com and thanks for this wonderful giveaway!!!

Booknut

Unknown said...

This is the first time I've seen this book and it looks amazing. I want to win an ebook too! Thank you for your wonderful review. I wouldn't know about this book if not for you. Thanks so much!

April @ Books4Juliet
i4thmonth@gmail.com

DANIELA said...

Hi
I usually don't read this kind of book, but this one caught my attention. Please enter me in the contest.

Daniela.
dany7578 at hotmail dot com

In Julie's Opinion said...

I love history, mythology and a good plot, so I would love to read this, and I really hope that when I do, I'm one of the people who really loves it! Thanks for the review and the giveaway:)
jwitt33 at live dot com

Emily Elizabeth said...

This book looks awesome! I can't wait to read this! Thanks so much for the opportunity!

xx emilykaiser24(AT)yahoo(DOT)

Mon_Cherie said...

I am SO hoping I am late with this...I thought I had commented before, but I crashed and didn't want to repeat! This is my type of book-immersion is a turn on for me!
If I am late, well, I have another author to look for, and I am now a part of your blog!
sweepingnews(at)gmail(dot)com

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