On Tour with Prism Book Tours...
Hello there! My name is Gretchen Powell. I am 24 years old, half-Chinese, and the owner of two adorable miniature schnauzers. I am an occasional drinker of classy wines, and I wrote a book.
By day, I work for a government contractor in our nation’s capital.
By night, I binge on episodes of Doctor Who and sleep fitfully.
Sometime in the mid-afternoon, I write another blog called Honey, I Shrunk the Gretchen! about weight loss, food, fitness, and my life.
Some of my favorite things include polka dots, Harry Potter, pretty much any TV show that airs on Thursday nights (yep, I'm talking Vampire Diaries #notashamed), and playing the ukulele.
Title: Terra by Gretchen PowellPaperback, 286 pages
Published December 12th 2012 by Hopewell Media
Premise:
A broken and desolate Earth. A young girl struggling to survive. A lost boy with a powerful secret.
A discovery that will change everything.
In the distant wake of a plague that has decimated the Earth's population, humanity is split in two: The rich and powerful live in skycities that float overhead, while those who remain on the ground have gathered in settlements strewn across a dying planet. Eighteen-year-old Terra Rhodon is a terrestrial--a denizen of the barren groundworld--who makes her living as a scav. Long abandoned by her father, her caregivers gone, Terra supports herself and her younger brother, Mica, by scouring the earth for discarded scraps and metals to recycle for profit. One day, while on a routine scavenging run, she discovers something that shocks her home settlement of Genesis X-16. When the value of her discovery is revealed, Terra's world is turned upside down.
Terra suddenly finds herself asking questions no one will answer. Her search for the truth leads her to Adam--a beguiling skydweller unlike any she has ever met. But Adam has secrets and a quest of his own, and with him by her side, the world Terra thought she knew begins to unravel. Soon her discoveries unearth a terrifying conspiracy that has the potential to shatter everything--a revelation that will test the bonds of loyalty, family, and love.
Terra and her younger brother Mica are on their own, they have no family so Terra has to care for the both of them. She does this by scavenging for scraps of metal (generics) and selling them back for credits. Terra comes across a small machine which brings her and Mica a nice chunk of money along with a whole range of complications. Terra decides to go back the next day and see what else she can gather, that is how she meets Adam. Adam is a skydweller whom she meets when he saves her life from the Raiders chasing her. Terra is determined to figure out what the machine that has changed her life really is for and why there is tons secrets surrounding it.
The pacing of the story was not my favorite, I wanted a bit more out of the story line. While there are some major plot twists in the last couple chapters of the story, the beginning of the book is a bit slow. I typically don’t study the summaries of books so it took a while for me to remember that someone who is a terrestrial is someone who lives on the ground and not some sort of alien. Some aspects about their way of life are very clear but other parts still seem vague. The world was interesting but could have used more details and descriptions. I would have liked a bit more information on the skydwellers as well.
Terra had to be my favorite character. She is a strong, stubborn, protective girl who will do what it takes to protect her family and find answers. The constant banter between Terra and Adam was fantastic. For example:
"Oh, of course. Heaven forbid anything happens that might sully your perfect paleness"
Terra spits sarcastic and witty lines at Adam while Adam just teases her in return. There was no insta-love really, their banter evolved and their relationship slowly builds throughout the story. Even though the world building was not my favorite, I really enjoyed the personalities of the characters. Adam beautifully complimented Terra's personality.
Overall, Terra was a fun 3 star read; the post-apocalyptic and dystopian world had a nice blend of romance, action, and family. The underlying story line is a bit typical for a post-apocalyptic/alien-ish book but it does not fail to entertain. I look forward to the sequel :)
The pacing of the story was not my favorite, I wanted a bit more out of the story line. While there are some major plot twists in the last couple chapters of the story, the beginning of the book is a bit slow. I typically don’t study the summaries of books so it took a while for me to remember that someone who is a terrestrial is someone who lives on the ground and not some sort of alien. Some aspects about their way of life are very clear but other parts still seem vague. The world was interesting but could have used more details and descriptions. I would have liked a bit more information on the skydwellers as well.
Terra had to be my favorite character. She is a strong, stubborn, protective girl who will do what it takes to protect her family and find answers. The constant banter between Terra and Adam was fantastic. For example:
"Oh, of course. Heaven forbid anything happens that might sully your perfect paleness"
Terra spits sarcastic and witty lines at Adam while Adam just teases her in return. There was no insta-love really, their banter evolved and their relationship slowly builds throughout the story. Even though the world building was not my favorite, I really enjoyed the personalities of the characters. Adam beautifully complimented Terra's personality.
Overall, Terra was a fun 3 star read; the post-apocalyptic and dystopian world had a nice blend of romance, action, and family. The underlying story line is a bit typical for a post-apocalyptic/alien-ish book but it does not fail to entertain. I look forward to the sequel :)
Giveaway April 1 - 26
One lucky scav will win a Terra prize pack! Get a signed copy of Terra, along with three exclusive (and gorgeous!) bookmarks, as well as a delicate silver watch--just like Terra's!--all packed up inside a scav bag of your very own! US only.
An additional five (FIVE!) winners will get a digital copy of Terra in the format of their choice. International.
Open only to those who can legally enter. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter and announced on Rafflecopter and Grand Finale posts as well as emailed and the winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Burgandy Ice @ Colorimetry and Prism Book Tours and sponsored by Gretchen Powell. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Terra on Tour!!
April 2013
Check out the Reviews of Terra!! And become a "scav" and track down all the answers to the Collections questions hidden in the excerpts. :-) Plus, celebrate Gretchen's birthday by bringing something fun to the party!!
1 - April Fool's Day LAUNCH!
- Colorimetry
- I Am a Reader, Not a Writer Excerpt 1
- fuonlyknew Excerpt 2
2 - A Tiffyfit's Reading Corner Review
- Pause Time - Review
3 - Jessie's Book Place Excerpt 3
- The Reading Diaries - Excerpt 4
4 - Mel's Shelves - Review
5 - Lovin' Los Libros - Review
7 - Christy's Cozy Corner - Review
- Total Book Geek - Excerpt 5
8 - The Quiet Concert - Review
9 - LDS & Lovin' It - Review
10 - Jessabella Reads - Excerpt 6
11 - Gretchen's Birthday Party!!
- Passion & Life - Excerpt 7
12 - Tressa's Wishful Endings - Review
14 - Living a Goddess Life - Review
- Books, Books and More Books - Review
15 - Marked by Books - Excerpt 8
16 - Blood, Sweat and Books - Review
- My Seryniti - Review
17 - Bookworm Lisa - Review
- Mortality Bites - Excerpt 9
18 - Getting Your Read On - Review
-The Broke Book Bank Interview 10
19 - Grand Finale Blast!!
Check out the Reviews of Terra!! And become a "scav" and track down all the answers to the Collections questions hidden in the excerpts. :-) Plus, celebrate Gretchen's birthday by bringing something fun to the party!!
1 - April Fool's Day LAUNCH!
- Colorimetry
- I Am a Reader, Not a Writer Excerpt 1
- fuonlyknew Excerpt 2
2 - A Tiffyfit's Reading Corner Review
- Pause Time - Review
3 - Jessie's Book Place Excerpt 3
- The Reading Diaries - Excerpt 4
4 - Mel's Shelves - Review
5 - Lovin' Los Libros - Review
7 - Christy's Cozy Corner - Review
- Total Book Geek - Excerpt 5
8 - The Quiet Concert - Review
9 - LDS & Lovin' It - Review
10 - Jessabella Reads - Excerpt 6
11 - Gretchen's Birthday Party!!
- Passion & Life - Excerpt 7
12 - Tressa's Wishful Endings - Review
14 - Living a Goddess Life - Review
- Books, Books and More Books - Review
15 - Marked by Books - Excerpt 8
16 - Blood, Sweat and Books - Review
- My Seryniti - Review
17 - Bookworm Lisa - Review
- Mortality Bites - Excerpt 9
18 - Getting Your Read On - Review
-The Broke Book Bank Interview 10
19 - Grand Finale Blast!!
