Crystal's Random Thoughts: Starseed Book Tour, Review and Giveaway

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Starseed Book Tour, Review and Giveaway

Organized by I am a Reader not a Writer

Author: Liz Gruder

Genre: YA

Goodreads: Add to TBR List

Purchase Links: Amazon |

Book Blurb: Kaila flushed; no one had ever told her she was beautiful. She faced Jordyn, whose eyes again looked like an intelligent owl’s with immense black pupils. His eyes devoured her every nuance. She felt inexplicably drawn toward this boy-man, wise beyond his years. She wanted to dive deeper into those unfathomable eyes. She sensed if she dropped into those eyes she’d travel through a portal into the beyond, some place like she hovered in now. She would face herself, through him, realizing union and home.

“We are not all human,” Jordyn spoke to Kaila’s mind. “We are a blend of human and what you call alien— beings from another place in the universe. This is what makes us special. And what makes us different. You are like us, Kaila. This is why we felt connected from the moment we met. You’ve always felt different— and lonely— we know. We understand.”

They floated in space, between Venus and the sun. Kaila’s heart glowed, warm as that sun. He knew her; he understood her.

My Rant:

Starseed was riveting. I completely loved this story for several reasons. The first reason would be that I now have another book to add to my YA list that I can share with my niece, that is an advent reader. She loves to read the same book I do, and I try to encourage her reading. The story was so fast pace that I could not believe how quickly I was reading the story. But what I loved about this book was the underlying lesson that is being taught by this story.

We are all born with the choice to elect the paths that we choose whether you choose to be positive or negative person is completely your chose. We are all born with free will and the write to choose makes life priceless because there are no do over’s. It is important that we live for today. In realization we must be held accountable for the paths we choose and we should not let someone influence our decisions of choice because in the end you are the one that has to live with the repercussion in life. I am a firm believer of treat everyone like you would want to be treated and karma exist so what goes around comes around.

Starseed displayed the constant issues children face today in schools. Bulling and trying to fit into the social norm and how it weighed on children because everyone wants some form of acceptance. But in lieu of acceptance the author also displayed how important it is to work through your issues and have the courage to just be your self and not easily persuaded by others because that could land you, if you are with the wrong crowd of people in a heap of trouble.

There were scenes in the book were I completely had a melt down. I had to work through many emotions in reading this story. The interesting part to reading this book was that all the characters held a special place in my heart. They all had different strengths and weaknesses but they all commanded their scene. You couldn’t help but respect and admire their courage. I hate to say this but I felt sorry for the ones who decided to continue to walk on the dark side. I had to feel sorry for them because they were puppets and have not come to grips that someone else was pulling their strings. I mean how can you think your doing evil when your made to think your doing good. In the end you hope that all the hybrids would turn around and realize the truth and decided to choose good over evil but in this story it just does not work that way.The love story was dreamy but there where a lot of bumps in the plot that caused mixed emotions for me. It was hard to see Kaila and Jordyn apart because they had to work through their own issues but your ecstatic when they realize they are meant for each other because they cannot live with out one another ( dabbing my eyes, Jordyn was so romantic). Their love for each other made the story worth while. But the strongest love in this story was the love that was displayed with Kayla and her Paw Paw. Grand-Parents are awesome, and Paw Paw made Kayla feel special and their love for each other was breathtaking throughout the story.

This is the first book that I have read by Liz Gruder and I can honestly say that this will not be the last. The story was full suspense and a cast of amazing characters that I fell in love with a majority of them. I was amazed to see that the plot could stand on it’s own and capture the audience through the author’s storytelling style. When I first read the excerpt to the book I thought it was going to be like so many other books I have read before but what surprised me the most was how the book was so different, and through the authors imagination that difference made for such an amazing story.

My Recommendation:

I rated this book 5 out of 5 purple rant hearts. I would recommend this book to all YA readers that enjoy a good story with a sci-fi flair.

FTC Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the author, editor, publisher, or Promo Host. This is my honest opinion about this book and I did not receive any monetary compensation for writing this review nor was I obligated to write a positive one.

About The Author

As a youth, Liz Gruder saw a series of UFOs with her best friend while riding bikes. Ever since, she’s held a fascination for the stars. An avid reader, she used to hide under her covers and read with a flashlight. She has degrees in English and Psychology from Tulane University, a nursing license and a yoga certification. After going through Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, Liz realized how short life is and is now slowly fulfilling her bucket list: she’s been to the Egyptian pyramids (totally awesome and thought provoking) and is now teaching yoga and writing speculative fiction. Starseed is her debut novel.

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Tour Schedule
March 13th
Book Blast

March 18th
I Am A Reader, Not A Writer – Guest Post
A Casual Reader’s Blog – Spotlight
Book Bliss – Tens List
Heather’s Book Chatter – Guest Post
izz “pingle” bookish place – Spotlight
Author Cindy C. Bennett – Excerpt

March 19th
waiting on sunday to drown – Tens List
Blkosiner’s Book Blog – Interview
A Dream Within A Dream – Spotlight

March 20th
Crazy Four Books – Review
Laurie’s Thoughts – Character Interview
From the Bootheel Cotton Patch – Spotlight
The Busy Mom’s Daily – Guest Post

March 21st
Anatea’s Bookshelf – Excerpt
Crafty Zoo with Monkeys - Guest Post
~Oh, The Books You’ll Read – Review
Books for YAs – Review

March 22nd
Books and Needlepoint – Review
Of Thoughts and Words – Guest Post

March 23rd
Recent Reads – Review
Free Ebooks Daily – Interview
Sher A Hart – Guest Post

March 24th
Indie Author How-to – Tens List
Cuzinlogic – Interview
Clean Teen Reads – Spotlight

March 25th
The LUV’NV – Review
Peace from Pieces – Interview

March 26th
A Writer’s Dream – Review
Books for YAs - Guest Post