Fire & Ice Book Series by an up and coming new author (giveaway ends 12/31/16)

 

Do you have a “Bucket List?” I do. In fact, my list is probably a mile long (if not longer). There are so many things I want to experience like sky driving, going face-to-face with a Great White Shark in one of those diving cages, visiting the Pyramids of Gisa, Egypt and seeing one of my photos published in a magazine or book. Chances are 99.99% of my Bucket List items will never be completed, but it doesn’t hurt to dream.

One of my Bucket List items that has been on my list since I was in 5th grade was to be a published author. In 7th grade I wrote a great story. My teacher loved it and it won an award from my school. I still have a copy of the story some where. I have always wanted to turn it into a book for children or maybe even ‘tweens.

I don’t know if I have what it takes to be a published author. I wouldn’t know the first place to go or how to begin. It seems like a difficult road to travel – taking a book from an idea to seeing it on a bookshelf, and I’m an adult. So imagine how incredibly impressive it is when a teenage can accomplish that very same thing.

Erin Forbes, a young lady who lives in upstate New York, has published her first book in a planned series of books at the “ripe old age” of 17. That is am impressive feat if you ask me. I’m a forth-something-year-old and I wouldn’t even know how to psyche myself up to sit down and get started, let alone already have a book published.

Erin discovered her love of writing at a very early age. Her Fire & Ice book series has been in the works for some time now.

The first book in the series, Fire & Ice: The Elementals, is available at a book store near you, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Fire & Ice: The Elementals, would probably be considered fantasy for young adults. I’m an older adult and I found the book to be entertaining and engrossing, so slapping a YA (Young Adult) label on it might not be appropriate.

Here is the official book synopsis;

Welcome to Aisling, an enchanted realm where each individual is born with a unique and magical Gift. For centuries this realm has been slowly crumbling due to an ancient curse set on the land. However, the moment that Alice and Emery Hanley step into the Academy for Gifted Youth, their lives are forever changed. Amidst the disappearance of a fellow student, the twin sisters discover a prophecy that could save the realm of Aisling from destruction.

The description alone I found to be intriguing. It brought to mind other stories like Percy Jackson and Harry Potter. There are people with magical gifts, fairies, evil being (unseen “beasts”) and more.

First and foremost I found Erin’s use of descriptions amazing. She is very descriptive in her book, so much so that she vividly paints a picture for you in your head based on the words you read on the pages of the book. It’s like watching a movie of the book as you are reading it in your head. She describes every nuance and every vivid detail from people’s hair is to the way the sunlight reflects off of something. Everything is described in great detail.

The descriptions also stem from the main character (Alice) being very observant about her surroundings. She is very in tune with everything around her.

Both girls are “gifted,” as are their classmates at the academy. It’s hard enough being a teenager and learning your way through the world. To add a “gift” on top of that, makes things a bit more interesting. For that reason I think this book has a lot to do with growing up, accepting yourself and your abilities and coming to understand and appreciate who you are, which is a powerful and important message for any young adult (or even adult for that matter). It also has a lot to do with friendship and family.

At the academy the girls learn about a curse that threatens the magical realm they inhabit. Unlike similar fantasy novels, I don’t consider it “dark” or scary like Lord Voldemort and his “death eaters,” in the Harry Potter series.

It’s hard to put into words. I’m not as descriptive as Miss Forbes. This is an adventure story, with its twists and turns, but it’s done in a more “gentle way,” for lack of a better description. Hopefully that makes sense.

The “beasts” in this book are unseen, which could be pretty scary when you think about it.

The characters in this book are not only likable, I find them easy to relate too. I also think that the girls in this book are positive role models for young girls who might be reading the book. Girls can be heroes just as much as boys can be.

This is the type of book you could probably finish reading in a day or two. Sadly, I don’t have the time to sit and read like I’d like to. I have piles of magazines in my living room waiting to be read (and those articles are just a page or two). This book took me about a month to read ONLY BECAUSE I don’t have the physical time to read most books, except for a chapter here and there if I’m lucky.

For her very first book, Erin comes off as a professional writer – meaning – you would think she had been writing for many years. It’s hard to believe such a young lady can write such a well written, incredibly detailed, enchanted story like Fire & Ice: The Elementals.

I like how the story ends off too. You could read just this one book and feel “satisfied.” Or you can wait for the next book in the series. The ending can go either way (complete the story or segue into the next volume). The book left me wanting more – which is exactly what you want in the first book of a series.

I am a big fan of gifting books for the holiday season. Books make great stocking stuffers too. If you have a young adult in your life, a book like Fire & Ice: The Elementals would be a great gift option. Or if you just want to “gift” yourself a great read for a chilly winter night, this book is a great option for you as well.

If you would like to learn more about Fire & Ice: The Elementals, visit the official website, www.FireandIceBookSeries.com. You can also find the book series on social media. All of the links are found on the top of the website.

Be sure to check out Erin’s blog for new illustrations, updates, events, and even contests. If you live in upstate New York you may even be able to attend a book signing.

Speaking of book signings, I have an autographed copy of the book, Fire & Ice: The Elementals, and some fun buttons, to give to a lucky reader. 

These giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and will end on December 31, 2016. The winner will be chosen at random using a random number generator from all eligible entries. The winner will be notified via email and will have three days to reply or a new winner will be chosen in their place.

To enter please comment on this post and tell me why you would like to win a copy of this book and/or who the book would be for (you or someone else).

For extra entries you can use the Rafflecopter widget (below) but you must complete the initial entry requirement or the additional entries won’t qualify.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Kimberly

*I received a free copy of this book for review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.