I received this book for free for a Blog Tour in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Prophecy of Arcadia by M.H. Soars Also by this author: The Phoenix Shadow
Series: Arcadian Wars #1
Also in this series: The Phoenix Shadow
Published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform on 17th January 2014
Genres: Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction, YA Fantasy, Young Adult
Pages: 338
Format: eBook
Source: for a Blog Tour
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Being a teenager is tough, especially when you have to pretend to be something you’re not, and you’re in love with someone you shouldn’t. 115 years ago, a small planet called Arcadia was invaded by a vicious alien race and nearly destroyed. Cut off from their resources, the Arcadians turned to Earth for help. A group of Arcadian explorers discovered a Prophecy that claimed their salvation lay in the hands of two children from Earth. To ensure their safety, the Arcadian Council sent their most gifted youngsters to Earth to act as protectors. Samantha is one of them.
To succeed in her mission she must learn to control her Arcadian powers and keep her true identity from her best friend, and the girl she swore to protect, Alexia. But Samantha will soon realize that nothing is as it seems. Someone is trying to prevent the Prophecy from taking place and the prophecy boy hasn’t been found yet. There is also a new drug circulating at school that is turning students into freakishly strong menaces.
To make matters worse, distractions keep getting in her way. Such as her love/hate relationship with her “cousin” Matthew. Or her confused feelings toward popular and mysterious Julian. She wants nothing more than to be free to live her life. But the survival of Arcadia depends on her and her friends. Free will is not an option.
Thank you to Diane at Oops I Read It Again Tours for letting me take part in this blog tour. As soon as I read the synopsis I couldn’t wait to read this book. This was a really good book. I know some people might be hesitant to read this as this is the debut book from the author but I urge you to give it a chance.
There are lots of characters in this book. Alexia has 6 protectors. Zach, Sean, Matt, Samantha, Mel and Mia. Alexia thinks they are her cousins. Alexia doesn’t know about Arcadia, special powers, the prophecy or her part in it. She thinks she is an ordinary girl with a lot of cousins.
This book is written from 3 POV. Alexia, Sam and Matt. While you may think this might get confusing it’s not. They all have very different voices so it’s pretty easy to work out who’s POV it is even in the middle of the chapter.
I really liked Alexia. I enjoyed seeing her character develop throughout the book. I’m intrigued to see how she will change in the next book. ]
Sam was definitely my favourite “cousin”. She was cool and she always wore the best clothes. She’s a good friend to Alexia but she was pretty rubbish at keeping Alexia’s secrets from the rest of the group.
Matt was very interesting. I didn’t quite understand his power or how it worked. I hope there’s a bit more clarification in the next book.
I’m not sure that I trust Julian. There were a few weird scenes and I’m really interested to see how his character develops throughout the series.
All the “cousins” had different personalities and it must be hard work for Gary living with so many teenagers. I found Sean really funny.
I absolutely loved this story and can’t wait for book 2 and the rest of the series. I’m excited for how the prophecy will unveil.
Excerpt
Matt
The conversation with Alexia had made me edgy. I walked toward the middle of the room, getting closer to Sam so I could have a clear look at her face. Even though I could tell she was trying to be stoic, I wanted to see if there was any sign that she still cared.
She closed the book she was pretending to read and sat up on her bed, looking at me like I was a nuisance. “You know I don’t want to talk to you. Why do you insist?”
She stood up suddenly, throwing her book on the bed with such force that it bounced and landed on the floor. My gaze followed the book’s trajectory and stayed on it for a few seconds as I tried to control my rampant emotions. Sam’s question hurt, and it subdued my anger a little. I took a deep breath and found her face again.
“Do you even have to ask? How many times do I have to say I’m sorry for what I did to you seven years ago?” My voice came out strained. I was sure she had noticed, but her angry posture didn’t change.
“Just tell me what really happened then. Just tell me, Matt.” She used my nickname — something she only did when she forgot she was supposed to be mad at me. Her voice had a pleading tone to it now, and it gave me hope. I looked into her eyes and saw all the hurt there. I wanted to tell her, I truly did, but I just didn’t know what to tell her.
“Sam,” I said as I carefully approached her. She gasped as I placed my hands on her arms. I looked deep into her eyes. That close, I could see little gray specks in a sea of dark blue. “I, I, can’t tell you,” I finally said.
She pushed me away from her with a powerful shove and I had to take several steps back to regain my balance. “You can’t, or you won’t, Matthew?”
Her own anger fueled mine. I didn’t want to lose it with Sam, but I also wasn’t able to walk away from this conversation now. She had balled her hands into fists, and that did something to me.
I hesitated to tell her the real reason because she probably wouldn’t believe me. But the swell of emotions within me just made me want to yell the truth at her. But how could I tell her that looking at her after the accident made me feel like the most despicable person in the world?
“I can’t tell you because I don’t know why!” I watched her expression change from anger to disbelief and back to anger again in a matter of seconds.
“Bullshit!” she said.
Sam was ready for a fight. Her muscles were tight with anger. The air around us felt charged, like the calm before the storm.
Ignoring the signs that we were escalating this argument beyond our control, I moved closer to her again. But now my movements had a menacing quality to them. I was letting her know she wouldn’t be able to push me away this time as I pleaded my case.
“Why can’t you believe me? Why is it so hard for you to trust me and forgive me?” My temper was rising, and I was starting to feel feverish. I opened and closed my hands, trying to control the rage boiling inside of me. My entire body shook and I knew I had awakened the Phoenix. It didn’t take much these days. Sam had the power to evoke feelings in me that I would rather keep buried.
She took a few steps back until she reached the edge of her bed and couldn’t retreat further. “Because you won’t trust me!”
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About M.H. Soars
M. H. Soars is what we like to call a United Nations child. She was born in the United States but grew up in several different countries which gave her a broader perspective of life. She has always been passionate about books and stories and at a certain point had a comic book series going.
With a background in fashion design she always thought she was going to follow that path. But the characters in her head kept begging to be set free. So she decided to write their stories. A couple of years and a baby later, the first installment of her Arcadian Wars series is finally done.
M. H. Soars currently resides in New Mexico with her husband and baby daughter. She loves to read novels in the YA, PNR, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, and Chick Lit genres. When not devouring said novels, you may find her shopping online (she’s an expert), blogging about fashion, or trying to teach her daughter to walk (even though she’s too young for that).
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
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