I am so excited to be giving this weeks Indie Book of the Week to Fields of Elysium by A.B. Whelan. I just loved this book and am hoping that I can get more people interested in it as well because I just had so much fun reading it.
Title: Fields of Elysium
Author: A.B. Whelan
Series: Book One in the Fields of Elysium Series
Published: December 10, 2012
Genre: YA Paranormal/Fantasy
Source: Copy Provided by the Author (in exchange for an honest review)
Book Description:
How can love mend a heart full of hate?
Small town girl, Molly Bennett, moves to Los Angeles where she becomes an outsider while attending Beverly Hills High School. It seems life cannot be any more dreadful. Then one day after school, something magical happens. On a secluded hike in the Hollywood Hills, Molly chases her disobedient mutt and only friend into a hidden cavern. She stumbles upon a strange glimmering gateway that transports her to Arkana, a planet that is the cradle of an advanced human race. There, teenagers navigate amazing flying vehicles, compete in perilous games for glory, and possess supernatural powers. While Molly tries to wrap her mind around this unbelievable discovery, she meets the alluring and mysterious Victor Sorren. He is a Sentinel Apprentice, whose hatred toward people from Earth is beyond understanding. Yet every time Victor unpredictably saves Molly's life, his heart draws closer to hers, no matter how much he tries to fight against it. It further complicates things that their growing friendship is strictly forbidden. Earth people are prohibited in Arkana, yet Molly continues to cross through the portal to Arkana to see Victor. Torn between their double lives, they go down a dangerous path, from where there is no return and multiple endings.
Fields of Elysium is a suspenseful romantic tale full of forbidden secrets, danger, deception, and the never-ending fight for true love.
About the Author:
A.B.Whelan is a Hungarian born, American writer. She currently lives with her husband and two children in Southern California.
While growing up in a wealthy Eastern European family, she had a chance to travel Europe. Later as an adult, she visited Africa and the Middle East and lived in Ecuador and in Crete.
My Thoughts and Review:
Fields of Elysium is one of those books that completely takes you by surprise with how involved and wrapped up in it you become. I never expected to love this as much as I did nor to become so engrossed in the story that I would have to sit down and read it all in one sitting simply because I had to know how it all played out.
I really can't even name one thing that I loved about it or that made it stand out so much other than to say that it was just so well written with some pretty great characters, an interesting plot and story that flowed so smoothly that even though this book is over 400 pages, I read it super fast. It was more than just a story about another world and time, it was a love story with all the elements in it that I crave to read about.
I will be honest, I had my doubts coming into this one, I am not a huge fan of reading anything that has to do with aliens or other worlds, it just isn't my thing but this totally was my thing. It was believable (to an extent of course) and not so far fetched that I wanted to roll my eyes at it or stop reading, quite the opposite in fact.
The fact that this is only the first in a planned series makes me even more happy, in fact, I plan on going and checking out the second book as soon as I am done writing this review because I really want to continue this series. I really want more of Victor and Molly's story.
So bravo to Ms. Whelan for coming up with something fun and entertaining with slight paranormal twists and an epic love story that will have you smiling and leave you wanting more.
*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author. I was not compensated for this review*
The author has very generously offered to giveaway 2 e-copies of her book Fields of Elysium to 2 lucky winners!
Ooooo yay! Love those happy surprise books that shock you with how much you love them. Those are the best ones I think. Normally aliens aren't really my thing either, but if they're not yours and you still adored this one I'm definitely willing to give it a try. I want to be surprised by how much I love it too! Lovely review as always:)
ReplyDeleteALIENS? Indie? Fun ? Never heard of this book but will definitely check it out now :)
ReplyDeleteYOU ARE INVITED TO FOLLOW MY CHRISTIAN BLOG
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful review, and I love that you take chances and try books you are in doubt of..and isn't it great when books surprise you!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely Kim!
ReplyDeleteI can't even tell you how many times my cursor hovered over this book for review and for purchase, but I always decided against it. I don't know why, because I always drawn to it. Perhaps I should stick with the gut feeling and read it.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds great. :-)
ReplyDeleteI just love books that take you by surprise when you aren't really expecting to love them. I am definitely adding this to my TBR list. Wonderful review.
ReplyDeleteI am TOTALLY a fan of aliens, and boy do I love that cover. I haven't seen this one before, but those two things combined, plus a recommendation from you... that's good enough for me. :)
ReplyDeleteLovely review.
She posted on here Heidi and then I think the blogsphere ate her post!
ReplyDeleteI'm always open to books involving aliens, and this one sounds unique and fun. I love that you review all these indies and tell me which ones are the good ones! :-) Totally adding this to my TBR pile. Thanks for the lovely review!
ReplyDeleteAh, thanks Lauren!
ReplyDelete