Blog Tour [Review]: Wild and Open Faces

Tour Schedule : https://www.jeanbooknerd.com/2021/01/wild-open-faces-by-jennifer-g-edelson.html

Title: Wild Open Faces
Author: Jennifer G. Edelson
Publisher: Red Apple Books
Publication Date: December 17, 2020

Where to buy: AMAZON 

Rating: 4 stars

Thank you Jean BookNerd and Red Apple Books for an opportunity to be a part of this blog tour.

Synopsis

Surfaces are deceiving . . .

After falling for Ezra and discovering a gateway to the Otherworld, it’s a truism Ruby knows to take to heart. But La Luna finally feels like home, and with graduation just weeks away and a cushy internship on a nearby archeological dig in her pocket, it’s easy to downplay the strange new events taking place in the Glorieta Pass. Even when Angel’s deadbeat father reappears after twenty years, stirring up questions about Angel, the ruin, and Ruby’s mother.

Uncertainty is bad enough, but when Ruby starts having inexplicable visions, and the archeological dig unearths mysterious artifacts connected to both a fabled Aztec city and the Pecos Pueblo, Ruby faces more than an uncertain future — she’s forced to accept the role of True of Heart. Will Ezra and her friends stand by her as she confronts the Otherworld? Love is enigmatic, especially in the heart of New Mexico, but the Otherworld may be the biggest mystery of them all.

Praise for WILD OPEN FACES

“A powerful book which both stands nicely alone and compliments Between Wild and Ruin . . . absolutely enthralling reading.” —Midwest Book Review

Praise for BETWEEN WILD & RUIN

“What could be a corny premise turns into an exhilarating, fun ride in Edelson’s adept hands. Her characters are smartly drawn, and readers will easily identify with Ruby, a strong yet insecure young artist on the verge of adulthood, who is still recovering from her tragic past . . . Fans of Twilight and modern fairy tales will fall in love with Ruby and root for her eventual romance.” —Blue Ink Review (Starred Review)

“Between Wild and Ruin is a stunning story of legends, romance, and destiny with themes of starting over, small towns, beauty, and community . . . Edelson perfectly breathes new life in mythology by honoring the oral tradition of a small community and the ruins that bring to life Ruby’s destiny.” —Manhattan Book Review

“Highly recommended to mature teens through new adult and adult audiences, this is a story that lingers in the mind long after its final revelation.” —Midwest Book Review

“A great addition to young adult urban fantasy.” —Seattle Book Review

“Descriptions of the New Mexico landscape are rich and atmospheric, arousing the senses with references to the scent of smoke and juniper, the predatory roar of mountain lions, and the brilliant dazzle of stars in the desert sky . . . The writing conveys a sense of timelessness, making it easy to believe Ruby’s sense that the land is spirit-haunted and that Leo, the handsome young man she encounters near the ruins, is somehow connected to it all.” —Clarion Forward

“An intriguing historical tale and an over-the-top love-quadrangle romance.” —Kirkus Reviews

“The paranormal aspects of the tale are credible and richly steeped in traditional lore, and the plot is finely crafted . . . Between Wild and Ruin is most highly recommended.” —Reader’s Favorite (5-Star Review)

** First Place Winner — Young Adult Fiction: 2020 Arizona/New Mexico Book Awards
** First Place Winner – Young Adult Fiction: 2020 National Federation Press Women
** Gold Medal Winner (First Place) – Young Adult Mythology/Folklore; 2020 Reader’s Choice International  
** First Place Winner – Young Adult Fiction: 2020 New Mexico Women’s Press

Review

A continuation to Ezra and Ruby’s story, Wild Open Faces blew me away with the writing and left me yearning for the third book. Because Between Wild and Ruin was still fresh on my mind, reading Wild Open Faces felt like I hit the lottery. Wild open faces is a great sequel, and I don’t say that about many sequels. There were so many questions form book one that book two answered and so many new questions that were created. It was well written, had a villain that I tried so hard not to like and a continuing relationship that was strong.

The character development in Ezra and Ruby were equal in quality to the first book, which made their continued development feel both real and satisfying. It’s no secret that I was shipping Ruby and Ezra from the beginning and seeing their relationship grow was great. It was a separate development from their characters, which often gets muddled in a storyline. The author did well in showing that two people can grow together while each growing in their individual skin. Along with Ruby and Ezra, we see more of Racine and Angel. I hope to see more of Angel and Racine in book three and see where their journey goes.

As mentioned before, the writing style was amazing. When I read the first book, I was not expecting a paranormal aspect so beautifully crafted. Wild and Open Faces continued that vivid, magical backdrop, character development and romance. The romance was pure but conflicting all wrapped in one and I loved it! But I also loved how Ruby was finally feeling like e was in the place that she belonged, excited for her awesome archeological project. I was also amazed by her ability to take on such a hard role, to confront the otherworld and protect those she loves.

I could continue to ramble about how much I enjoyed Wild Open Faces by Jennifer Edelson, but I’ll stop hear and tell you to grab copy of her first book Between Wild and Ruin, swoon over it, and then grab a copy of Wild open Faces. Trust me, you’ll be in for a ride.

About the Author

Jennifer G. Edelson is a writer, artist, former attorney, pizza lover, and hard-core Bollywood fan. She has a BFA in Sculpture and a J.D. in law and has taught both creative writing and legal research and writing at several fine institutions, including the University of Minnesota. Originally a California native, she currently resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico with her husband, kids, and dog, Hubble after surviving twenty-plus years in the Minnesota tundra (but still considers Los Angeles, the Twin Cities, and Santa Fe all home). 

Author Links: FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | WEBSITE | GOODREADS

…and now for a giveaway!

Click the pic to enter the giveaway

—Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter

– 1 Winner will receive a $25 Dollar Amazon Gift Card.

Book Review: The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

Title: The Cruel Prince
Author: Holly Black
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 370
Release Date: January 2nd, 2018

Where to Buy: Barnes and Noble |Amazon| The Lit Bar  |The Strand

Synopsis

Of course I want to be like them. They’re beautiful as blades forged in some divine fire. They will live forever.

And Cardan is even more beautiful than the rest. I hate him more than all the others. I hate him so much that sometimes when I look at him, I can hardly breathe.

Jude was seven when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.

To win a place at the Court, she must defy him–and face the consequences.

As Jude becomes more deeply embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, she discovers her own capacity for trickery and bloodshed. But as betrayal threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.

Review

It has been weeks since I’ve read The Cruel Prince, but it is still whirling in my head and I have to talk about it. Before I begin, I do want to mention that there may be small spoilers throughout my review. This book was a wild adventure that I was only half prepared for. There were so many parts that gave me joy while other parts where I wanted to fling the book at Cardan if he were real. Jude Duarte, a human in Eflhame, was taken along with her sisters by her older sister Vivi’s father after he slaughtered her parents. She lives a human among the fae for what she believes will be the rest of her her. Fast forward to ten years, Jude now a teen must continue to face living in Elfhame and all that comes with being an outsider.

Jude and her family
From the beginning, it is evident that Jude has a complicated family dynamic. She resides with her twin Taryn, her sister Vivienne, Vivienne’s father Madoc, his wife Oriana and their younger brother Oak. The sister and Madoc do not have the best relationship since it all began in bloodshed, but he has become their caretaker and has been teaching Jude to be a powerful fighter. Oriana keeps Oak away from Jude, for what looks like his protection. Honestly, I think it was more for Jude’s protection since she is easily susceptible to Oak’s glamour. Family dysfunction and all, Jude does hold some respect for Madoc because of his standing in Elfhame, a standing that ultimately she takes full advantage of.

Although a twin, Jude and Taryn cannot more different. Jude is resilient and won’t back away from a fight. She accepts the fact that she is not like the others and does her best to live a normal-ish life. Taryn, however, is all about fitting in and finding her permanent place in Elfhame, even if it means going against her sister. Essentially Taryn is the rule follower if it benefits her.  During the story, Taryn’s actions were frustrating and though I understood her logic, I did not appreciate her lack of loyalty to her own family. Then again, in the family, loyalty is not as thick as blood as one would soon realize.

Jude, and Cardan’s Friends
Wow, just wow. Jude suffered a lot through the hands of both Cardan and his friends. They made sure Jude understood she was inferior to her and would do anything to show just how human she was. From glamouring Jude to do embarrassing acts to almost drowning her, there was no chill in that friend group. In terms of the worst friend, I would have to say Locke took that prize. Although Valerian her very existence, Locke manipulated her and played with her heart , which is something Jude wouldn’t take lightly. Overall, Cardan’s friend like himself were pretty terrible fae.

Jude and Cardan
I could go on and on about Jude and Cardan. First, I want to acknowledge that although I am enjoying this relationship development, I can also see that their entire relationship is pretty problematic. With that being said, I was speechless with everything between these two but not surprised. Something about Cardan’s action reminds me of those young boys who would pick on the girls they liked. Add that he is a fae prince, he was doing everything in his power to make Jude miserable, while also secretly wanting her. I know, it’s odd, but it worked for these two. Jude was a challenge for him and it wasn’t something Cardan was accustomed to. Jude’s interactions with Cardan showed just how strong and powerful she was. She didn’t care about his title, because anyone who got in the way of her goals was to be taken down. Did I expect that the two would change their tunes, no. Boy, was I happy to be surprised by this. The tension between them was so thick you can cut through it with a knife. They are dysfunctional and from far away seem like the least likely match, but they somehow compliment each other.

Jude and Cardan need each other to fulfill their goals so it was bound to happen. I am excited to see where their relationship leads them in the next book. So far, I am intrigued. Jude’s determination and fight makes her so relatable to anyone who has had to work twice as hard to achieve something or to be respected. Cardan’s almost carefree nature adds levity and humor to otherwise cruel nature. Separately I love the two characters, together they are a force to be reckoned with.

Final thoughts
Holly Black has created a world that is full of beauty, magic and terrible secrets. Each description leads my imagination to a place where I can imagine myself being a human in a strange land. Each character development was executed in ways that without one, the story wouldn’t read as good. Holly has a way with words, a way with creating a backdrop that oozes fantasy and mischief, and characters that you love to hate and hate to love.