Friday, March 21, 2014

Blog Tour Review + Giveaway: The Wolf's Cry (The Semei Trilogy, #1)


Thanks for stopping by my tour stop for The Wolf's Cry by Natalie Crown. This is a YA Fantasy book that released in January 2014. This is the first book in the The Semei Trilogy.

This tour will run March 10th-21st and consist of reviews, author interviews, guest posts, top tens and a giveaway.  Stop by the tour page for the full list of tour stops.
About the Book
Title: The Wolf's Cry
Author: Natalie Crown
Series: The Semei Trilogy, #1
Publisher: Natalie Crown (self published work)
Release: Dec 15th 2013
Source: Blog Tour Copy
Pages: 359 (ebook)
She is his weakness.

And she will ruin everything.

Kammy Helseth's idea of adventure never amounted to more than getting a boat across to the mainland and finally escaping to London. That was until she stumbled through the mouth of the forest into a world beneath our own, the world of the Semei.

Her only wish is to find her way home but when Jamie, her best friend, is taken into this new world of shapeshifters and Crystals she has no choice but to stand up to her fear and to remain beneath the surface. Hunted by Bagor, King of Alashdial, and those that are loyal to him, Kammy finds herself in the company of a group of outlaws led by Jad, a Prince with a bitter past and a similarly bitter demeanour.

They overcome age-old prejudice to find a way to work together. But Bagor knows a secret about the Crystals that threatens to change everything. Kammy and Jad must find a way to thwart the king and to save Jamie, but that is just the beginning. For Kammy is in possession of a Key and the fate of countless lives, both human and Semei, may rest in her hands.
The Wolf's Cry is the debut novel by indie author Natalie Crown. It is a truly unique adventure that draws us all into the wonders of the underworld. To be honest, I was initially expecting a paranormal fantasy about the good ol' werewolves due to the title and cover, but in reality, The Wolf's Cry offers something much more exotic and compelling than the somewhat overused setup. Don't get me wrong, werewolves are great, but shapeshifters? Well, those are creatures of real fascinations. 

For our protagonist Kammy Helseth, life can not get any more boring or uneventful than it already is. Constantly dreaming about leaving her small and secluded hometown behind, Kammy is an outcast. It is one of those days when her life takes an unexpected turn, and Kammy finds herself wound up in a dangerous new world beneath her own - the world of the Semei. Despite her own disbelief,  her ties to the world underneath appears to be more than she originally anticipated. Tangled among the conflicts and secrets in the Semei world, Kammy can no longer run and hide; She must embrace the dire circumstances for she has to save her friends from the world above, as well as from the world beneath.

As shocking as it may sound, Kammy and I did not get off on the right foot. She seemed far too weak and helpless for my liking at the beginning of the story. However, it is precisely the striking contrast of her early vulnerability and her later fiery demeanor that made me realize the tremendous amount of growth she has gone through. I can't help but sympathize with her and admire her for the strength she showed me when faced with threatening prospects. Her friendships with her Semei companions are the center of the focus in the story as there isn't any romantic tension present, but I suspect something delightful would soon sprout out in their future endeavors.

Among all the things I liked in The Wolf's Cry, worldbuilding is unquestionably the one I savored the most. Here, I must take the chance to praise Crown's dazzling imagination for creating such a gripping fantasy world with an absorbing history of its own. I particularly enjoyed the brief explanations of the origin of the Semeis. Although slightly predictable, it helped me make connections of all the hints Crown has dropped along the story to decode the mysteries left unresolved.

Last but not the least, I should give fair warnings to those who wish to join me on this ride that the first half of the book may be a bit slow paced. You will probably find yourself bored over a couple of chapters or starting to skim through paragraphs, but trust me, it is all worthwhile.


My Rating:  (3 and 1/2 stars)
(A copy of this book was kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.)
Excerpt
Emire

Jad heard chairs scraping back and then a hand was holding his. He opened his eyes slowly to find Tayah beaming from where she crouched beside him. Her eyes darted over his face, checking for any signs of permanent damage. Eric stood behind her shoulder, just about managing to look as though he had not been worried at all.

'Welcome back,' said Eric.

Tayah gave his hand a squeeze, 'How are you feeling?'

'Stiff,' Jad croaked.

Tayah grabbed his shoulder and helped him ease into a sitting position. It was like he had been transported back in time. He recognised the small room with its grey stone walls and its rough wooden floors. He was in one of the guest rooms of Emire's keep. It was not as grand as the chambers he had been granted when he had visited with his father but the windows were the same narrow ovals and the brown rug that had been thrown over the end of the bed was adorned with the leaf crest. Jad almost expected his father to burst through the door demanding that he leap out of bed with one of his roaring laughs. Jad shook away the memory. He spotted a fresh white shirt and a platter of food beside it. His stomach rumbled but he turned back to his friends. With every second came greater alertness.

'How long have I been out?'

'Last night and most of the day,' said Eric.

'What happened?'

Tayah's expression sharpened. 'Not much.'

'The watchmen that found us brought us to Emire. We were each given a room through the night. We were allowed to wash, eat and we were handed fresh clothes. Then we were brought in here with you.'

'We haven't heard anything since,' Tayah finished with a frown.

Jad rolled his shoulders, 'Seeve?'

Tayah shot a dark look at the door, 'He hasn't shown himself yet.'

Eric sighed, ' He isn't in Emire. Or at least he wasn't when we arrived. We just have to wait.'

Tayah made a face at him.

Jad was still too drowsy and comforted by familiarity to worry much. He pushed the sheets away and moved his heavy legs. They were safe; for now at least. They could have been left to fend for themselves outside the town walls, they could have been taken by the Armours. Then a thought struck him and he remembered being swamped by the ice water of the river.

'Kammy?'

'I'm here.'

She appeared from behind Eric and stood at the end of his bed. She met his gaze and it surprised Jad to see her eyes look so normal. Now that they were out of immediate danger she was not angry or upset. She looked different, calmer; though there was still a sad curve to her mouth. She had been given Semei clothing; a white shirt with lace ties and a pair of simple cotton trousers. If it had not been for the bag draped across her shoulder there would be nothing about her to suggest that she was human. Even the smell had faded. Her eyes danced away from him and only then did Jad remember that he was shirtless. His own eyes jerked to the shame that was branded onto his left arm and his cheeks burst into flame. He leant forward, snatching the clean shirt from the end of the bed, and yanked it over his head. He thanked the Mother when he realised that it was long-sleeved and he kept his eyes averted from Kammy.

'They were a bit wary of her,' Eric said to Jad, throwing Kammy a quick smile, 'but kind enough.'

'Well, I don't like it,' said Tayah, folding her arms and getting to her feet, 'They locked us in here which means they don't trust us. They haven't sent anybody to check that you're okay for hours. You were almost frothing at the mouth when they found us Jad.'

'The doctor did say he just needed rest.'

'I don't care Eric,' Tayah shook her head, her braid flying through the air, 'Jad, you haven't seen the General for years and we turn up out of the blue with a human.' Jad cringed at her exasperated tone. 'Who knows what Bagor might have offered him?'

Jad plucked some cheese off the platter. Tayah's concerns had merit but he could only shrug, 'Seeve is a good man. Besides, what choice did we have?'

'We had no other choice,' Tayah grumbled, 'but that doesn't mean that I can't complain.' 
About the Author
I grew up in a village called Swilland, in the countryside of Suffolk, England. There wasn't much around, other than farms and fields, but for the most part I loved it, and I still do. I’m a passionate person by nature. I don’t just LIKE things, I LOVE things. Whether it’s a book, a film, or a sports team. Once I decide to enjoy something, I enjoy it to the MAX.

I’m a terrible cook. I prioritize essential social media work over keeping my flat tidy, because I know best. I am desperate to get a dog. My mum suspects I miss my cats at home more than I miss her. I am a devout Arsenal/Ferrari/Rafael Nadal fan. I get all mad when confronted with a case of social injustice and then I get all mad when people take the fight for social justice too far. I mostly keep those thoughts to myself and simmer with rage. I watch good TV and bad TV, because I can. What I can’t do is enjoy bad books (subjective opinion of course). I just can’t.

Onto my love of reading and, consequently, writing - it was my dad that played a big role in encouraging me to read. He didn't push me towards books necessarily; he simply read a lot himself. Then I would pick up his books and read them after him. I was reading high and epic fantasy from a very young age. I guess that might explain why I have always loved adventure stories with magic and intrigue and princes and princesses in.

I was aware that I wanted to ‘be a writer’ from a very young age. I was convinced I would be the first best seller that hadn't reached double figures in age yet! I wrote about the Danshees, furry creatures that lived through a mirror. I wrote about a Sand Bottle that transported a boy into a world of magic. I wrote about a sick girl finding a music box that healed her, but transported her back in time. (Wow, I always have loved alternate universes…)

When I was eight I wrote my first novel called The Land of No Return. Despite the title, I am determined to return to it one day. I feel like I owe it to my past self. So, as you can see, I have always been writing. There have been times when I have gone weeks without scratching down a word. Then there are days where I churn out multiple chapters and only my body’s silly desire for sleep and/or food can stop me.

I write because I enjoy it. I write fantasy because I enjoy it. I try my hardest to put something of myself into my writing. I like to think my characters have depth, I like to think that my fantasy worlds reflect upon the real world in some way. You guys will be the judge of that, but even if you don't agree I know that I at least try, and I can do no more than that.

These days I live in North London, and I love it. I work full time and London is a hectic city. Juggling work, writing and a social life is tough, but nobody is forcing me to do it so I can't complain. The dream is that writing will be my career one day, but it doesn't matter if I never quite make it. I love writing too much to ever pack it in.

I am desperate to get a dog. My mum suspects I miss my cats at home more than I miss her. I am a devout Arsenal/Ferrari/Rafael Nadal fan. I get all mad when confronted with a case of social injustice and then I get all mad when people take the fight for social justice too far. I mostly keep those thoughts to myself and simmer with rage. I watch good TV and bad TV, because I can. What I can’t do is enjoy bad books (subjective opinion of course). I just can’t.
This tour was organized and put together by CBB Book Promotions.


8 comments:

  1. I'm glad you enjoyed this! Kammy does go through some serious growth in this book. I can't wait to see where things go! Thanks for hosting a tour stop!

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    1. No problem ;) It is my pleasure. Hope to join more of your tours in the future!

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  2. First, thank you so much for taking part in the tour!

    I loved reading your review. I'm learning a huge amount already just from peoples reception of the book and it honestly just makes me more excited to keep improving. I'm glad you warmed up to Kammy. It was definitely intentional to show her growth, but I guess I just have to hope people don't give up on her too quickly!

    I'm also thrilled with how positive everybody is being about the worldbuilding. It's very satisfying.

    Anyway, thanks again. And I hope you stick around for book 2 :P

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    1. Thanks for stopping by! It did take awhile and I still hope I had seen more, but I guess I will leave that to the 2nd book :)

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  3. Great review lovely, sounds like the world buliding was the best part of the book even though it was kind of slow going.

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    1. Definitely. There are of course still bits and pieces hidden from us readers, but I'm super excited to get more insights on the Semei world. Hopefully, the next book won't disappoint me.

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  4. This sounds absolutely fabulous! I'm impressed that this novel actually has some solid world-building (*gasp*) as I thought world-building didn't exist in YA novels anymore. Just kidding... but really though...

    The characters sound great as well; I'm glad you at least warmed up to Kammy as the story went on.

    Definitely adding this to my TBR list! I love a good werewolf / shape-shifter novel once in a while! :D Thanks so much for sharing Angel, and, as always, brilliant review! :D

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    1. Thanks Zoe :D I'm glad you are adding this to your TBR. Recently, my book recommendations hasn't been working out as well as before for my friends, but I hope this one would be a good pick for you!

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