Wednesday, May 14, 2014

{Blog Tour + Review + Two Giveaways} Bound (The Guardians #1) by M.J. Stevens



Bound by M.J. Stevens
(The Guardians #1)
Publication date: January 21st 2014
Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Young Adult

‘No good deed ever goes unpunished, Mellea…’

Mellea Wendorn hasn’t exactly had a normal life. Misfortune seems to follow her, and her family, wherever she goes.
However, when Mellea stops to assist a mysterious young man suddenly her prior hardships seem trivial.

His name is Leo. He is a Successor, a child of the Guardians of Selestia.

He is royalty.
He is handsome.
And he wants Mellea completely to himself.

Unable to escape the Guardian’s laws, Mellea must learn the ways of the royals. She is convinced her life can’t get much worse. But when a timeworn Guardian enemy arises from the shadows, Mellea must make a choice that will change her destiny forever.

Purchase: 

{Details} ebook, First Edition, 360 pages. Published January 21st 2014 by M.J. Stevens (first published January 20th 2014). Source: ebook provided by M.J. Stevens and Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks!

{Rating} 4/5 -- I really liked it!

{Review}
"No good deed ever goes unpunished, Mellea." (page 1, line 1)
There's a lot going on - and a lot to like - in Bound: magic, royalty, revolution, princess training, romance, betrayal, action and excitement. 

We meet Mellea at a point in her life when she's lost, trying to figure out what to do with her life, but she never expected her life to change the way it does when she meets Leo. I respected the way she dealt with her changed life, with strength and determination. She was fun to watch as she was forced into dresses - the horror! - into princess training, into a new family and into a relationship that she didn't ask for.

Leo makes a terrible first impression. He's haughty and authoritative, basically a Beast to Mellea's Beauty. But I grew attached to him as I learned about his past, about the boy he really is, and especially as I saw the tender moments between him and Mellea. He's an interesting, surprisingly deep character, and I definitely want to see more of him.

I liked the way the world was presented to us. Mellea is ignorant of the political situation, of Successors and Guardians, so we're learning along with her. There were twists and turns and things I didn't see coming, which I enjoyed, but I do wish there had been more world building, more descriptions, but that's a minor complaint. 

We're just beginning to scratch the surface of these people, of this world, and of their secrets.  The book ends on an exciting - and worrisome - note, ensuring that I'll be back for book two in the Guardians series.

{Ebook Giveaway}

M.J. Stevens has generously offered an ebook of Bound to a reader of Clever Girls Read. To win: (one entry for each option)
Add Bound to your Goodreads TBR list
Friend/Fan M.J. Stevens on Goodreads
Follow M.J. Stevens in any other way
Tweet about this giveaway
Follow Clever Girls Read
Fan Clever Girls Read on Facebook
Leave a comment telling me what you did.
Giveaway ends June 1st, ebook will be sent out after June 9th. Make sure to leave your e-mail address. Open internationally.

{Blitz Wide Giveaway}
Open to US/CAN - Ends May 20th
---Paperback copy of Bound (UK English edition)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/ZDA0MjUxMjM1OGRlZWRmZWM1YmUyMmFkYTM3OWE5OjQyNA==/

AUTHOR BIO:
M.J. Stevens is a true storyteller.

For a long time, words were never her best friend. However she has always had a creative spirit and writing became the lead way that she could share her ideas with the world. Today, it is her number one passion in life.

“I wish I could say that I was one of those kids that read insane amounts of books and that’s why I was inspired to write, like a lot of authors. But I actually found the joy on people’s faces [when they talk about stories they love] more inspiring and wanted to create something of my own that will give young readers that same excited expression.”

M.J.

Author Links:


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2 comments:

  1. This sounds like a really interesting read and I love how complex Leo's character seems especially! Lovely review! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love the cover and the book sounds really good "No good deed goes unpunished"

    ReplyDelete