Possess (Mary Hades Series) by Sarah Dalton - Review by Kimmy

Well hello folks,

Hope you are all well and are making lots of headway with your 2015 Reading Challenges.  Please enjoy todays post and leave any comments below.  Lets get this show on the road:

Possess by Sarah Dalton

*** Disclaimer ***
I received a free copy through (add info here) in exchange for an honest review.

Rating:

Synopsis:

Mary Hades is drawn back into the world of the macabre as she moves with her family into the mysterious old house, Ravenswood. The mere mention of Ravenswood induces terror among the locals, and when strange things begin to occur, Mary and Lacey decide to get to the bottom of the secret hidden in the historic house once and for all.

As a dark power gathers, Mary finds her life becomes interconnected with the disturbing events that transpired in 1847 to eleven year old Liza Blair. The more Mary is drawn into Liza’s story, the more she realises someone close to her is in grave danger from the sinister energy at Ravenswood.

Set in the backdrop of an unsettling forest, and with strange neighbour Emmaline Delacroix obsessed with death and séances, Possess will take you even deeper into the murky depths of Mary Hades’s unusual life.

Book two in the Mary Hades series.

Review

I was lucky enough to cross paths with the author Sarah Dalton in 2014.  I read many of her books last year and without a doubt Sarah has become one of my favourite authors.  I find Sarah's story telling mesmerising and get easily drawn into all her worlds she creates.

Possess is another fantastic addition to the Mary Hades series.  This book takes us into the darker side of the paranormal world that Mary lives in.  Sarah's writing as always, captured me almost immediately and had me hanging off every word.

I love how this book focuses on the relationship between Mary and her mother.  Mary always had a stronger, closer bond with her father.  Her mother always seemed to be either trying too hard or appeared to be on edge around Mary.  And finally we find out why.  It was like opening a present on christmas morning!

Lacey isn't as prominent in this book.  I did miss her.  I love Lacey and I love the relationship between both her and Mary.  I do understand though that Lacey kind of taking a back seat was clearly needed in order for the story to play out the way it was meant to.  However Sarah does not let us forget about Mary's concern about the future of their friendship and ensures this is addressed in the story also.  I was a total bundle of nerves at that part of the story!

Thanks to Sarah's fantastic story telling ability, everything is woven together perfectly to create yet another fantastic read!

If you haven't read any of Sarah's books, you really need to get on it, like now.  Trust me, you will not be disappointed!

Useful Links

 Goodreads | Author | Amazon UK | Amazon US

Interview with the lovely author Sarah Dalton!

Hello my lovelies,

On our blog today we are interviewing the lovely author, Sarah Dalton about her series White Hart.  Sarah has also been kind enough to donate some prizes for our lovely readers!

We hope you enjoy:

Hi Sarah, welcome to our blog.  Please tell our readers about your series White Hart.

Hello Kimmy & Rinny, thanks for having me. White Hart is a YA fantasy novel about a girl thrown into extreme circumstances. Fifteen year old Mae has to deal with her growing elemental powers, and after a devastating event is thrown into the dangerous and mysterious Waerg Woods with her pet white stag, and a pampered Prince.

The White Hart series is a mix of classic coming of age fantasy with lots of action and adventure, and fairy tales with dark woods and evil Kings. It’s a story suitable for all ages.

What inspired you to write the White Hart series?

I kept thinking about a strong yet vulnerable young women riding a white stag. The character came to me first, and then the story developed around her. 

Have you always wanted to be a writer? What got you started on your writing journey?

I’ve always loved to read, and I did used to write stories, but it’s something I’ve abandoned and then come back to at different times. It took me a while to develop enough confidence to actually finish a novel. It has been around four years since I started taking my writing seriously, and since then I’ve never looked back. 

What appeals to you about the young adult and epic fantasy genres?

Funnily enough, I’ve never been drawn to epic fantasy at all, at least not in adult literature. I always associated it with very dense, description filled writing and hundred and hundreds of pages. But then I started reading books by authors like Tamora Pierce, Sarah J Maas and Rae Carson and I saw how fantasy could be fast and entertaining as well as taking place in a rich environment. I love making a world from scratch (it makes research a lot easier!) and I love creating magical creatures within the world. White Hart is very much influenced by film as well as books. I had 80s adventure movies in the back of my mind, like The Neverending Story and Indiana Jones. 

What are some of your favourite young adult and epic fantasy books/authors and why?

Alanna – Tamora Pierce – I love this book. One of my favourite story tropes is a young girl pretending to be a boy so she can learn to fight. I have a soft spot for tough girls, and Alanna is one of my favourites. I don’t think Tamora Pierce is as well known in the UK as she is in the USA, I had to really search for her books. I’ve not finished the series yet, and am looking forward to reading more.

The Girl of Fire and Thorns – Rae Carson – This book is so different. Rae writes the classic ‘chosen one’ story, but she gives it a unique religious edge. As someone who is not religious, at first I found that aspect a little difficult to accept, but Rae writes in such an engaging and different way, that I was soon immersed in the story. This series is one of my favourites, I love the unique settings, and the confusing nature of God’s will, and how thoughtful the books are. There’s no need to have faith in order to read this book, you can be an atheist and still enjoy it.

Throne of Glass – Sarah J Maas - Another favourite character trope of mine – the dangerous and yet vulnerable young woman. You will love and hate Celaena, you will also love to hate her. She’s arrogant and violent, and yet she is loyal and loving, too. Love triangle haters might not enjoy the romantic subplot, but if you love assassins and royal drama, you’ll really enjoy Throne of Glass.

I’ve also heard great things about Terah Edun’s Courtlight series, and I haven’t finished, but enjoy Morgan Rice’s The Sorcerer’s Ring series.

What makes White Hart stand out from all the other young adult series?

It has a more fairy tale edge to it, and it’s also aimed a little younger than most YA fantasy. I want to give an opportunity for my characters to grow up, which is why they start out as a little immature. I’m also quite a mean puppet-master, so expect my poor characters to go through a lot of heartache along the way. 

Sarah Dalton:

Sarah grew up in the middle of nowhere in the countryside of Derbyshire and as a result has an over-active imagination. She has been an avid reader for most of her life, taking inspiration from the stories she read as a child, and the novels she devoured as an adult.

Sarah mainly writes speculative fiction for a Young Adult audience and has had pieces of short fiction published in the Medulla Literary Review, PANK magazine, Apex Magazine and the British Fantasy Society publication Dark Horizons. Her short story ‘Vampires Wear Chanel’ is featured in the Wyvern Publication Fangtales.

She is also the author of the popular YA dystopia series 'Blemished' and the YA gothic series Mary Hades.

Stop by and say hi to Sarah:

Goodreads Page

Sarah Dalton's Website
Twitter

Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Red Palace (White Hart #2) by Sarah Dalton - Review by Kimmy

Hi folks,

I'm so excited to share the following review with you all:

Red Palace (White Hart #2)

by Sarah Dalton

Released: 19th September 2014

Rating:

**Disclaimer - I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**

Summary:

I am here when you run from me,

You cannot touch me, but I make you cold.

I am there in the faint of heart,

But rarely with the daring, and bold.
One by one the members of court fall, cursed into a deep sleep. Silence spreads through the castle, and only Mae Waylander stands.

To break the curse, Mae must face a formidable opponent. She is the only one with a chance to restore order to the Red Palace, but she is unprepared for the trials that await her. She is brave at heart, but is her bravery enough?

In this thrilling follow up to White Hart, Mae faces her toughest challenge yet. With temptation, fear, and evil in her path, can she complete her task? And what will she lose in doing so?

Book two in the White Hart series.

Review:

Yay, its finally here.  I have been counting down the days until this book was available.  The lovely Sarah Dalton contacted me asking if I would be interesting in reading and reviewing an arc copy of Red Palace.  I almost bit her hand off at the opportunity lol.

For those of you who are new to the White Hart series, you can read my review of the first book by clicking here.  This is one series you want to get your hands on!

The first book left us hanging with a major cliffhanger.  It sucked having to wait, but it was so worth it.  Immediately drawn back into Mae's world, we continue on her journey as craft-born.  Mae has grown into a brave young woman, her life dramatically changed since we first met her and unfortunately for Mae, its just the tip of the iceberg.  Her newest challenge is to face fear itself, supported by two great characters, Mae takes us on another epic adventure!

Red Palace is an amazing fantasy story full of magic, feels and much much more.  Sarah Dalton has a gift in being able to pull her readers into the book and leave you addicted and wanting more.  Again the ending of the second book.....why do you do this to me woman!?!?! lol I need the 3rd book like now!!! 

So what are you waiting for, get this book added to your Goodreads shelf, spread the word to your fellow readers and go get it.  This is an amazing series!

Feeling lucky? Head over to Goodreads and enter the competition for your chance to win a signed paperback.  Good luck!

Congratulations to Sarah Dalton, may you have many future successes!

Useful Links

Goodreads Page

Sarah Dalton Website

Goodreads Competition
Amazon UK
Barnes & Noble

Seeing is believing by Kimmy

Hey all,

This post is a review for 2 books from a series called Mary Hades.  Enjoy:

My Daylight Monsters (Mary Hades 0.5)
by Sarah Dalton

Published Date: October 2013

Rating:

Mary Hades (Mary Hades #1)

by Sarah Dalton

Published Date: 4th May 2014

Rating:

**Disclaimer - I was given a free copy of these book in exchange for an honest review**

Summaries-

My Daylight Monsters:

I always thought my demons came out in the day, rather than at night. I’ve never been scared of the dark. I’ve only ever been scared of real things: getting ill, having injections, physical pain… death. Those are my monsters, not ghosts or vampires or whatever else can hide under your bed at night.

I was wrong.

The dark makes everything worse.

When Mary’s psychiatrist advises a short stay at a psychiatric unit, her worst nightmares are confirmed. How can she get better in a place that fills her with dread? When she meets the other patients, she begins to gather some hope, until she realises that the death toll in the hospital is rising without explanation. Something sinister stalks the corridors and maybe she is the only one who can stop it…

Mary has to confront the Things that she sees if they are to stand a chance. But will she survive a confrontation with death itself?

Mary Hades:

Not many seventeen year old girls have a best friend who’s a ghost, but then Mary Hades isn’t your average teenager.

Scarred physically and mentally from a fire, her parents decide a holiday to an idyllic village in North Yorkshire will help her recover. Nestled in the middle of five moors, Mary expects to have a boring week stuck in a caravan with her parents. Little does she know, evil lurks in the campsite…

Seth Lockwood—a local fairground worker with a dark secret—might be the key to uncovering the murky history that has blighted Nettleby. But Mary is drawn to him in a way that has her questioning her judgement.

Helped by her dead best friend and a quirky gay Goth couple, Mary must stop the unusual deaths occurring in Nettleby. But can she prevent her heart from being broken?

The first in a series of dark YA novels, Mary Hades follows on from the bestselling Kindle Single 'My Daylight Monsters'. A spine-tingling tale with romance, readers will be shocked and entertained in equal measure.

Review:

I first came across the author, Sarah Dalton, when reviewing the first book in her series White Hart.  I now have the privilege of reviewing another 2 of her books from the series Mary Hades.  And yet again, Sarah's books do not disappoint.  There is just something about all of Sarah's books, the covers just drawn me in immediately.  Perfectly chosen for the story inside each.

After reading the first book, I instantly fell in love with Mary.  Sarah's ability to enable us to do so is amazing.  Rarely expected from a novella.  The psychiatric ward is the perfect setting for the horror that unfolds.  A close to reality chilling tale.  Written at an excellent pace, allowing us to get to know Mary, feel the problems that she has to deal with on her own, but also her compassion to still feel the need to help others.  I just loved the friendship Mary and Lacey developed and Lacey's ability to make even me laugh when she was telling Mary how she never shuts up.  Each page left me wanting more, once I had finished the first book, I was ready for the next.

In the second book the adventure continues.  Mary's parents take her away on holiday to try and help her get back to normal after the psychiatric ward accident.  But where Mary goes, death follows closely.  Mary struggles to maintain the facade of a normal life.  Even with her best friend Lacey by her side, things just aren't the same.  A holiday romance, some newfound friends and strange deaths, makes for an addicting read.  The pace of the story and the details are so well done.  Sarah has ensured that once we start reading that first line, we become a part of Mary's world.

I highly recommend you getting both of these books.  This is the beginning of an awesome series, I cannot wait to read more about Mary Hades.

Congratulations to Sarah Dalton, may you have many future successes!

Useful Links

Goodreads - My Daylight Monsters
Goodreads - Mary Hades

Amazon UK - My Daylight Monsters
Amazon UK - Mary Hades
Amazon US - My Daylight Monsters
Amazon US - Mary Hades
Authors Website

Arc Review: White Hart (White Hart #1) - Sarah Dalton by Kimmy

Hi folks,

I'm so excited to share the following review with you all:

White Hart (White Hart #1)

by Sarah Dalton

Release Date: 1st March 2014

Rating:

**Disclaimer - I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**

Summary:

Mae never asked to be craft-born. She never wanted that burden.

The realm needs magic again, and the the King of Aegunlund has been waiting for the first craft-born girl to marry his son, Prince Casimir.

In Mae's town of Halts-Walden, the ambitious miller claims his daughter Ellen is craft-born. Mae knows this is a load of hogwash, but she's glad Ellen will have the unfortunate pleasure of becoming queen instead of her. All she has to do is sit back and wait until Casimir and Ellen are married, then she will finally be free of the threat of her fate. But on that day an event so shocking and terrible occurs that Mae finds herself entering the neighbouring cursed forest on a quest she never thought she'd have to follow. 

Join Mae as she rides her white stag through the Waerg Woods with a pampered prince at her heels. She's out for revenge and nothing, no one, will get in her way.

Review:

I had been doing a bit of searching through Goodreads, looking for books to add to my anticipated reads 2014 list.  Upon seeing this cover, it instantly caught my attention.  So simple, yet effective.  A proud mythical creature beckoning me into its world.  Inviting me on an adventure!

From the first page I was instantly hooked.  The storyline was so well written, the progression unrushed.  Mae is such a loveable character, a free spirit and yearning for adventure.  The authors writing style leaves nothing to the imagination.  Everything has just the right amount of detail, you almost feel like your there, your Mae and this is your journey.  

All 3 times I picked this up to read, I found it so hard to put down, on the 3rd time I was finished.  Finished the book with a cliffhanger...why do you do this to me!?! lol.  But this is exactly the kind of series I love, ending a book the way this one ended, just makes you want more!

It pains me knowing that this book is only getting released next month.  I need the next books in the series now, I must know what happens next!

So what are you waiting for, get this book added to your Goodreads shelf, spread the word to your fellow readers and get ready to purchase this book on the 1st March 2014.  This is going to be one amazing series!

Feeling lucky? Head over to Goodreads and enter the competition for your chance to win a signed paperback.  Good luck!

Congratulations to Sarah Dalton, may you have many future successes!

Useful Links

Goodreads Page

Sarah Dalton Website

Goodreads Competition
Amazon UK
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords