Reclaiming Shilo Snow by Mary Weber | Re:View

Reclaiming Shilo Snow throws Sofi into a thrilling race to save the ones she loves and to rethink what she’s capable of.

In this fast-paced, duology wrap up to Mary Weber’s science fiction series, we follow Sofi Snow on a quest to rescue her brother. Left behind on the planet/space craft Delon, Sofi discovers the fascinating truth behind the Delonese and works to actively oppose them.

On Earth, Sofia’s mother is faced with a hard choice that will not only affect Earths inhabitants but also the lives of her children.

I really enjoyed this book. It was fast paced and answered a lot of questions the first book had left me with (of course, since it was the end of the duology). I thought the interspersing of her mother’s point of view was really well done and added a layer to the story that brought a lot of things to light.

I feel like this duology will appeal to those who enjoy fast paced plots with light elements of science fiction. It wasn’t so strong of a theme that it would be a requirement to like hard core sci-fi to enjoy this series. Mary’s heart for the innocent and children is visible in this book in a beautiful, powerful way. I think she has a message to share that we need to listen to.

The Evaporation of Sofi Snow by Mary Weber | Re:View

Sofi is passionate and real, a beautiful yet broken heroine who shows us what it's like to fight for those you love.

***

What would you do if the most important person in your life was snatched away? Sofi Snow finds out in Mary Weber's thrilling new Sci-Fi novel, The Evaporation of Sofi Snow.

Coming on the heels of her powerful trilogy (Storm Siren, Siren's Fury, Siren's Song) I wasn't sure what to expect. I could tell that it was science fiction--something I was hugely excited about--and that was about it. I dove headfirst into Sofi's gaming and hacking world and promptly found myself lost in the thrill of what would happen.

Sofi, much like Nym from the Storm Siren trilogy is a strong yet broken character. That's probably one of my favorite things about her. She's passionate and real, a beautiful yet broken heroine who shows us what it's like to fight for those you love. Don't we all wish we could be like that? I find that it's too easy to read a book about someone (especially a female protagonist) who is strong or finds herself in impossible situations and thrust into leadership and then knows exactly what to do. I felt as if Sofi's environment and reactions were accurate to who she was as a character, successes and fumbles. She's not perfect and has made mistakes in the past, but that's part of who she is (and what I assume she'll need to heal from in the future).

On another note, I love how Mary weaves in themes that she is passionate about. Read her note at the beginning of the reviews on Goodreads to see what I mean. I know Mary and I know that she is genuine in her passion for the things she talks about in this note and I can see those themes brought to life in this book!

I also enjoyed the world building. Hovercrafts, transports, and tech. Ahhh, things that send shivers up my spine in delight of futuristic worlds. Enter: The Delonese. I loved the addition of this humanoid type race that happens to be light years ahead in regards to technology. And yet there's something off about them (per the story and plot, of course) and I like that intrigue.

By the end of this book I was gripping my kindle and wondering how it was all going to work out. I won't say cliffhanger...but I will say you're going to want the second book ASAP.

I recommend this to those who enjoy science fiction and YA books, but also to those who like a good story about a genuine heroine. If you enjoyed the Storm Siren trilogy you'll find this is different, but that's okay. It's still Mary's writing, just in a different setting 😉

My rating: 4*
Purchase: The Evaporation of Sofi Snow

Book Description 
(from Amazon)

Ever since the Delonese ice-planet arrived eleven years ago, Sofi's dreams have been vivid. Alien. In a system where Earth's corporations rule in place of governments and the humanoid race orbiting the moon are allies, her only constant has been her younger brother, Shilo. As an online gamer, Sofi battles behind the scenes of Earth's Fantasy Fighting arena where Shilo is forced to compete in a mix of real and virtual blood sport. But when a bomb takes out a quarter of the arena, Sofi's the only one who believes Shilo survived. She has dreams of him. And she's convinced he's been taken to the ice-planet.

Except no one but ambassadors are allowed there.

For Miguel--Earth's charming young playboy--the games are of a different sort. As Ambassador to the Delonese, his career has been built on trading secrets and seduction. Until the Fantasy Fight's bomb goes off. Now the tables have turned and he's a target for blackmail. The game is simple: Help the blackmailers, or lose more than anyone can fathom, or Earth can afford.

From the award-winning author of the Storm Siren Trilogy, step into a diverse cast of characters spanning from the electric metropolises of earth to the chilling alien planet above, in a story of re-finding yourself in the midst of losing the one thing you love. Before it all evaporates.

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I received this book for free but was under no obligation to post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.  

The Evaporation of Sofi Snow by Mary Weber | Blog Tour

Welcome to the: Thomas Nelson's Young Adult Summer of 2017 Feature with

 

Emilie here: I'm so excited to be hosting Mary Weber on the blog today with her new release, The Evaporation of Sofi Snow! I've started an advance copy of this amazing book and am in LOVE already. Check out the information below about the book, the excerpt, and then hop on over to pre-order your copy! It comes out June 6th!

About the Book

Title:  The Evaporation of Sofi Snow

Series: The Evaporation of Sofi Snow, Book 1

Author:  Mary Weber

Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date:  June 6, 2017

Genre: Young Adult Fiction / Sci-Fi

For fans of Ender’s Game and Blade Runner comes a story of video gaming, blood, and power.

Ever since the Delonese ice-planet arrived eleven years ago, Sofi’s dreams have been vivid. Alien. In a system where Earth’s corporations rule in place of governments and the humanoid race orbiting the moon are allies, her only constant has been her younger brother, Shilo. As an online gamer, Sofi battles behind the scenes of Earth’s Fantasy Fighting arena where Shilo is forced to compete in a mix of real and virtual blood sport. But when a bomb takes out a quarter of the arena, Sofi’s the only one who believes Shilo survived. She has dreams of him. And she’s convinced he’s been taken to the ice-planet.

Except no one but ambassadors are allowed there.

For Miguel—Earth’s charming young playboy—the games are of a different sort. As Ambassador to the Delonese, his career has been built on trading secrets and seduction. Until the Fantasy Fight’s bomb goes off. Now the tables have turned and he’s a target for blackmail. The game is simple: Help the blackmailers, or lose more than anyone can fathom, or Earth can afford.

From the award-winning author of the Storm Siren Trilogy, step into a diverse cast of characters spanning from the electric metropolises of earth to the chilling alien planet above, in a story of re-finding yourself in the midst of losing the one thing you love. Before it all evaporates.

Excerpt

Taken from “The Evaporation of Sofi Snow” by Mary Weber Copyright © 2017 by Mary Christine Weber. Used by permission of http://www.thomasnelson.com/.

THE PLANET

The ice-planet arrived in the dusky heat of summer twilight during Earth’s Fourth World War. Just when the moon’s jeweled fingers were slipping through that one broken slat in the barn roof that Papa always said he’d fix but never did. The same slat through which he’d pointed out Ella’s favorite star to Sofi and her brother, Shilo.

As if everything within Papa’s wrecked heart was trying to keep their focus off Earth’s brutality by reminding them of their half sister’s spot in the heavenly skies. As if their forsaken little hearts needed any reminding of where her spot—or their mother’s—should be.

“Shh.” Papa put a finger to his lips and beckoned Sofi over to watch the planet settle in place. “I won’t let anyone harm you. See how it’s moving across the moon?”

Six-year-old Sofi mimicked him to her brother, putting her own finger to her lips. “Shh. They’re coming, Shi, but we won’t let them harm you.” To which baby Shilo spit and giggled before swatting at a firefly.

Sofi pulled his tiny hand into hers as the sinister globe stopped a good distance beyond the moon—and

Uncomfortably too close to Earth. To them. To their little broken-slatted barn that sat planted like a patch of sumac right on the decimated border of Old North Carolina and the rest of the starving, war-ravaged world.

“Planet Delon” the broadcasters had called it.

“The Delonese Death” was what her expatriate neighbor, Mr. Watte, was calling it.

“The blasted planet from the pit of you know where” was what Sofi had decided to call it . . .

That had been years ago.

Eleven to be exact.

But now here she was . . .

Standing in the same place, same barn—just missing a few walls—with Shilo.

Still calling it that.

A sudden rustling emerged from the overgrown bushes, causing Sofi to glance around.

“You think it’s the tech buyer?” Shilo’s twelve-year-old voice cracked mid whisper.

She peered into the dark. “I don’t know, but if I tell you to run for the hover, you run.”

He looked insulted. “And ditch? More like I’ll kick whoever’s sorry bu—”

A boy emerged. Two boys in fact, each barely older than she was. Clearly drugged up. Skin and bones. Like many in the populations being “overseen” by the United World Corporations. The bigger kid held out a broken-tipped knife and Shilo slid in front of Sofi—never mind she was half-a-head taller than her brother.

Sofi scowled. She shouldn’t have let him coerce her into bringing him. Especially for the thrill of earning a few extra bucks off her old tech devices.

TO PURCHASE A COPY OR ADD IT ON GOODREADS

• Amazon
• Goodreads
• Book Depository
• Indiebound
• Itunes
• CBD

About the Author

Mary Weber is a ridiculously uncoordinated girl plotting to take over make-believe worlds through books, handstands, and imaginary throwing knives. In her spare time, she feeds unicorns, sings 80’s hairband songs to her three muggle children, and ogles her husband who looks strikingly like Wolverine. They live in California, which is perfect for stalking L.A. bands, Joss Whedon, and the ocean.

CONNECT WITH MARY:  website ⎸ facebook ⎸twitter ⎸instagram

Tour Schedule

5/15 - Reading is My SuperPower (review)
5/16 - Thorn & Vine (review) & A Baker's Perspective (review)
5/17 - My So Called Chaos (review) & Between the Pages of This Bookish Life (Spotlight)
5/18 - Bibliophile Reviews (Review),  Singing Librarian Books (Spotlight) & Thinking Thoughts (Spotlight)
5/19 - Bookworm Mama (review) & YA Book Divas (Spotlight & Excerpt)
5/20 - Just Commonly (review)

Giveaway

(3) Winners will each win a finished hard copy of The Evaporation of Sofi Snow by Mary Weber, courtesy of Thomas Nelson Publishers. Giveaway ends on May 26, 2017, 11:59 PM EST.

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Siren's Song by Mary Weber | RE:View

Siren's Song is a story that will encompass you in its creative telling and leave you satisfied at the end. This is a story you don't want to miss!

I thoroughly enjoyed Nym's story through the last two books and this third and final installment was no different. Filled with fast-paced action, dire circumstances, and romance, Mary Weber creates a stunning ending to this thrilling fantasy trilogy.

The weight of her peoples future rests on Nym's shoulders. Filled with this sense of purpose and the release (kind of) from the dark power that consumed her in book 2, she is set on a course to save the kingdom, or die trying.

I found Nym's journey in this book to be intriguing. Aside from one "battle" (not really a battle) that she doesn't get to fight herself, she is in the midst of the activity and fighting to make things right. She's suborn, but smarter in her actions (to me at least) than she was in previous books--I attribute that to her growth as a character. The romance is also there, but stilted (not in a bad way) and filled with tension, which I tend to like. There were a few times I wished that Eogan was more communicative, and his silence just seemed silly. Like...say what you're thinking. Then again, guys don't always do that, so I get it (hehe).

Then there was the ending...I just...I loved it. *sigh* I won't go into details here, but it was just what I wanted. Filled with hopes, fears, excitement, twists, happiness, and so much more. I will say I wished some of it had been a bit more drawn out, but I am still completely satisfied with how it ended so it wasn't a "big" deal.

As a theme, I really liked how Mary incorporated the issues of slavery and cutting into this YA series. These are such important topics and very relevant to today's youth. I won't spoil the ending, but I love what happens regarding Nym's scars. Just beautiful!

I definitely recommend this whole series to lovers of fantasy (YA or not)! You'll find yourself swept up in the imaginative world Mary has created with its crazy animals, genuine characters, and vivid fantasy elements. (Oh! see what I did there? Elements! Anyway...) Go read this if you haven't already, friends!

P.S. I think Lord Myles is one of my favorite characters...Just saying!

My rating: 5*
Purchase: Siren's Song

Book Description
(from Mary's website)

After a fierce battle with Draewulf, Nym barely escaped with her life. Now, fleeing the scorched landscape of Tulla, her storm-summoning abilities are returning; only . . . the dark power is still inside her.

Broken and bloodied, Nym needs time to recover, but when the full scope of the shapeshifter’s horrific plot is revealed, the strong-willed Elemental must race across the Hidden Lands and warn the other kingdoms before Draewulf ’s final attack.

From the crystalline palaces of Cashlin to the legendary Valley of Origin, Nym scrambles to gather an army. But even if she can, will she be able to uncover the secret to defeating Draewulf that has eluded her people for generations? With a legion of monsters approaching, and the Hidden Lands standing on the brink of destruction, the stage is set for a battle that will decide the fate of the world.

This time, will the Siren’s Song have the power to save it?

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I received a free copy of this book for review purposes, but was under no obligation to read the book or post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.

Siren's Fury by Mary Weber | RE:View

A gripping, whirlwind read with deep characters that will leave you breathless at the end.

Riding in on the heels of Storm Siren (book one in the trilogy) Siren's Fury takes up where it left off with a shocking change. Nym's elemental powers are gone! This came as an absolute shock to me since I don't read book descriptions usually so then, during the rest of the story, I kept wondering...When will she get them back? Will she get them back? How will this end?

Just like book one, Siren's Fury is full of descriptive writing and dynamic charters from the complex and curious Lord Myles to the infuriating Draewulf. With her humor still intact, Nym feels the weight of responsibility on her shoulders and the desire to do anything it takes to stop Draewulf.

I enjoyed this book and truly felt the struggle Nym faces. In my mind she is a stubborn character who will do whatever it takes to do what she thinks is right. Sometimes I found myself arguing with her decisions though most of the time I was rooting along with her. You want to fight for (and with) her as much as you want to wrap her up in a hug and tell her she's loved.

I definitely recommend this to lovers of YA Fantasy and just great fiction in general! It's fast-paced and keeps you guessing until the end. I can't wait to start Siren's Song (book three)!

My Rating: 4*
Purchase: Siren's Fury

Book Description
(from Goodreads)

"I thrust my hand toward the sky as my voice begs the Elemental inside me to waken and rise. But it's no use. The curse I've spent my entire life abhorring—the thing I trained so hard to control—no longer exists."

Nym has saved Faelen only to discover that Draewulf stole everything she valued. Now he’s destroyed her Elemental storm-summoning ability as well.

When Nym sneaks off with a host of delegates to Bron, Lord Myles offers her the chance for a new kind of power and the whispered hope that it may do more than simply defeat the monster she loathes. But the secrets the Bron people have kept concealed, along with the horrors Draewulf has developed, may require more than simply harnessing a darker ability.

They may require who she is.

Set against the stark metallic backdrop of the Bron kingdom, Nym is faced with the chance to change the future.

Or was that Draewulf’s plan for her all along?

_________________

I received a free copy of this book for review purposes, but was under no obligation to read the book or post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.