Hi everyone! Today I have a stop on the Steel Lily Blog Tour. There is info on the book, an excerpt, a review, guest post and giveaway!
Title: Steel Lily
Author: Megan Curd
Genre: Dystopian
Blurb:
AVERY PIKE is a commodity. No, more than a commodity. Her existence is guarded at all costs.
She’s a water Elementalist, the strongest of her dwindling kind. She creates steam to provide energy to fuel Dome Three: the only thing standing between humanity and an earth ravaged by World War III. No steam, no Dome. No Dome, no life.
Or so she thinks.
That is, until a mysterious man offers her a way out of having to donate steam. A way to escape the corrupt government of Dome Three. While the offer seems too good to be true, Avery is intrigued.
But when she arrives to her new home, she realizes the grass isn’t any less dead on this side of the fence. Instead, the lies are just hidden better.
…Which means digging deeper.
When Avery enlists the help of her friends to uncover the truth, it may make her wonder if she was better off being a government tool than searching for freedom.
Some secrets are better left concealed, but humankind was never meant to live in a cage. And when you can control the most sought after resource, you can learn to control anything…including the fate of your world.
My Review
Avery is closely guarded but still at times sneaks away. She is used in this post apocalyptic world as she is a water Elementalist. One of the strongest in Dome Three. She can turn water into steam that keeps the dome in power and oxygen. Without her and the other Elementalist they would all die as no Dome equals no life. They are all that is left. However after a visit from a man she learns that is not true. When she is taken to a new dome she sees she has been lied to and there is more outside Dome Three. She now is in a place that may help her develop her powers. She just has to figure out who to trust. Coming from a place were everyone wanted to use her she has little trust left. With the help of the friend that came with her and the new ones she makes in the new dome she works to unravel the mystery of what is really going on in the world and what people want from her. She also has to figure out if she can trust Jaxon the boy who drives her crazy. She will learn nothing is at it seems or nothing like she has every known.
Avery is loyal to her friends, lonely at times, powerful and can be a smart ass at times. She says what she thinks and wants to do the right thing. She doesn't understand her feelings at times and has a hard times trusting people. I really liked her. She is the type of character you can really get invested in her story. Jaxon is cocky, a smart ass, smart and sexy. He also cares about his friends and has been hurt by someone close to him. These two together will at times crack you up. They have lots of tension between them and are very similar.
There is loads more characters for you to get to know in this book and each have a big part to play in the book. I love these type of books. The author has created a great world with fantastic characters. I like how each dome has it's own theme in a way. Like Avery you never really know who to trust as you read and the book will keep you on your toes. I will say I had a few shocks I did not see coming that did surprise me a lot. Along with a world that is thrown into chaos you also get to see a few things from the past that add a nice touch. It lets you place where your at. In some books in this genre you never really know for sure what the area is. I like that and it gave the books points for me. I will say the evil of man and how power can corrupt really shows in this story. It has love, action, betrayal, heartache, friendship and so much more including a storm that I loved seeing how it was used. I eagerly look forward to the next book in this series and recommend it to anyone who likes a dystopian book or to someone who has never tried one. This is sure to please many.
5 out of 5 Stars
Avery is loyal to her friends, lonely at times, powerful and can be a smart ass at times. She says what she thinks and wants to do the right thing. She doesn't understand her feelings at times and has a hard times trusting people. I really liked her. She is the type of character you can really get invested in her story. Jaxon is cocky, a smart ass, smart and sexy. He also cares about his friends and has been hurt by someone close to him. These two together will at times crack you up. They have lots of tension between them and are very similar.
There is loads more characters for you to get to know in this book and each have a big part to play in the book. I love these type of books. The author has created a great world with fantastic characters. I like how each dome has it's own theme in a way. Like Avery you never really know who to trust as you read and the book will keep you on your toes. I will say I had a few shocks I did not see coming that did surprise me a lot. Along with a world that is thrown into chaos you also get to see a few things from the past that add a nice touch. It lets you place where your at. In some books in this genre you never really know for sure what the area is. I like that and it gave the books points for me. I will say the evil of man and how power can corrupt really shows in this story. It has love, action, betrayal, heartache, friendship and so much more including a storm that I loved seeing how it was used. I eagerly look forward to the next book in this series and recommend it to anyone who likes a dystopian book or to someone who has never tried one. This is sure to please many.
5 out of 5 Stars
Excerpt
I’d never seen anyone like him in Dome Four. His jawbone was strong, his cheekbones set high. His nose was regal and straight and when my gaze reached his eyes, my breath caught. Stormy blue-grey eyes that reminded me of shale returned my gaze with seemingly genuine curiosity, if not a bit of humor. Strips of colored fabric were woven into his dreadlocked hair, giving it a wildly unique appearance that suited him. His smug expression made me realize he was enjoying this.
“Are you finished checking me out? If you’re not, that’s okay; I allow every new woman I meet a free five-minute gawking period. After that, it’ll cost you.”
Blood rushed to my face. I tore my eyes from his magnetic gaze and watched as he took a worn leather strap off his wrist. He pulled back his dreadlocks–deep brown streaked with blonde–into the strap. His devilish grin pulled his eyes tight at the corners. He was trouble incarnate. Trouble I may very well want to get into, given the right circumstances.
“You’re at five minutes and thirty seconds now,” he said in a purr as he leaned in toward me. I felt his breath against my cheek, and my heart raced. “I’m going to start taking payment, and I choose how that payment is issued.”
Before I could respond, Alice stirred groggily beside me. She rubbed her eyes as she sat up. “Where are we?”
“Good question,” piped Jaxon. “One that your friend here failed to ask, but it could have been because I rendered her speechless with my good looks.”
Alice moved to get a better look at him, but he emphatically covered his face, as though he were a vampire trying to block the sun. “Don’t look at me!” he cried, then grinned as he winked at me. “I don’t want to make two ladies swoon in such a short period of time. How would I entertain myself tonight?”
“You’re not that handsome,” I argued mulishly.
“There’s drool on your chin. Either you’re physically unable to keep your mouth shut, or I caused you to forget how. Since when I found you, you were drool free, I’m going with the assumption that it was me.” He fished in his pocket and offered me a piece of white silk. “Here, a handkerchief for your trouble.”
Book Links
Guest Post
TOP TEN END OF THE WORLD OR PARANORMAL MOVIES
I AM LEGEND – Oh man, I love I AM LEGEND. Will Smith was awesome in it, and the entire movie was awesome. It was one of my favorite movies of all time. I haven’t read the book, though, and I would love to get a chance to do so.
SIGNS – I really enjoyed this movie. I know it’s kind of corny, but I still love it. I remember after seeing it in the theatre, we had to drive home with cornfields on both sides of us. Talk about having an overactive imagination!
THE WALKING DEAD – I know it’s not a movie, but I am completely obsessed with this series. I’ve read all the comics, and…just…yeah. I love this series. And if Daryl dies, we riot.
THE VILLAGE – Another M. Night Shyamalan movie, but the man is (was) a master at the plot twist. His latest movies have made me sad, but his older movies are some of my favorites!
THE HUNGER GAMES – I don’t know if it counts as an end of the world movie, but it’s a dystopian…so that counts, right?
INDEPENDENCE DAY – Hey, it’s an oldie, but a goodie.
I, ROBOT – I’m starting to sense that I’m a sucker for Will Smith. Ha!
SUPER 8 – It’s got hints to Ohio and the Air Force, which sucked me in. Plus it was an awesome movie, so hey, I’m happy!
PLANET OF THE APES – It’s got Helena Bonham Carter as an ape…that’s awesome. Add in Mark Whalberg? That’s a win!
PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN: AT WORLD’S END – They’re at the end of the world, that counts, right? I love those movies!
BIO: Megan Curd is a graduate of Northwestern College in St. Paul, Minnesota. While having always enjoyed reading any books she could get her hands on, Megan didn’t begin writing until a friend encouraged her to do so while in college.
When not writing, Megan enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She loves to snowboard and travel to new places, and doesn’t turn down the opportunity to play xBox with her brother and friends when it presents itself.
Megan currently resides in Stanton, Kentucky with her husband, son, and Great Dane named Dozer.
LINKS:OFFICIAL WEBSITE
Giveaway
oooh, I like the sound of this and well, I'm kinda partial to the name Avery. :) Totally checking this book out!
ReplyDeleteThanks for being part of the tour, I really appreciate it, and I'm so glad you enjoyed the book! :)
ReplyDeleteGood job with the post! Thanks a lot for sharing this amazing piece of work.
ReplyDelete