Starchild Book Blast and $25 Giveaway! ~ Amanda's Books and More

Saturday, July 5, 2014

Starchild Book Blast and $25 Giveaway!

Starchild Book Blast

and $25 Giveaway!

About the Books

Book 1: The Age of Akra

Starchild
Book 1

Summary: When Mai is chosen to take a pilgrimage to the Valley of a Thousand Thoughts to train with the oldest and wisest master of their people, an ancient prophecy is set in motion. The events to come have been predicted but are not unchangeable. When the Starchild returns to the planet of Sage, the foreknowledge of the prophecy begins to gain strength. Four children come together and become linked to the events that lie ahead. In The Age of Akra, the first stage of their journey has them facing the deadly spiderflax, only then to be confronted by a creature of the underworld, an evil Dementra called Amual. The struggle to bring peace to the world of powerful energies lies in the hands of these four children and a strange little lizard. And it will not come easy. This journey is only the beginning.

Buzz About Book 1

"The Age of Akra is a riveting, well-written, and imaginative story featuring an intricate plot and stellar cast of characters that is sure to be thoroughly enjoyed by tweens, teens, and even adults who love a great science fiction tale. This is a real page-turner and I highly recommend this book to children aged 10 and older. I just loved it and to think the author has seven books planned for the series ... I'm salivating." ~ Renee, Mother Daughter Book Reviews

"Masterfully told from different viewpoints, Starchild is neither a "boy" nor "girl" book, but rather an everyone book. Struggling readers will enjoy the simple truths of the characters, and more advanced readers will delight in the journey of Mai, Long, and Akra. A journey that introduces multifaceted characters, whom I hope will make an appearance in subsequent titles in The Starchild Series, because I'm already attached to them. Even the slightest of creatures was placed in Starchild with the greatest of skill, care, and thought. Outstanding job, Ms. Taylor, and I look forward to continuing my journey through the series." ~ 5 Star Review, C. Bullard, Amazon

Purchase Book 1

Available as a 99 cent E-Book through Amazon

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Ganxy | iTunes | The Book Depository

Book 2: The City of Souls

Starchild: The City of Souls by Vacen Taylor

Starchild
Book 2

Summary: In The City of Souls, the pilgrimage to the Valley of a Thousand Thoughts continues. Having already triumphed against dangerous adversaries in The Age of Akra, the four children -- Mai, Long, Akra and Sahib -- now face the evil melkarie and must escape to the City of Souls. When they reach the safety of the land of Naroan, in a city hidden under a blanket of living green, the children are confronted with the challenge of locating the Singing Soul. But the underworld is searching for it too, and will do anything to stop the young pilgrims from finding it. The prophesy is at risk of being extinguished unless the children succeed in their quest.

Buzz About Book 2

"The City of Souls is the second book in a science fiction fantasy featuring an intricate and engaging plot, well-developed characters who are faced with new challenges, a well-described setting reminiscent of Star Wars with a hint of Lord of the Rings and Indiana Jones-style action and suspense. I’m in this series for the whole haul as I feel completely invested in what happens next as the prophecy continues to roll forward. I highly recommend this book as well as the series to science fiction aficionados ages 10 years and older looking for something a little different. ~ Renee, Mother Daughter Book Reviews

"The author graciously sent a signed copy of this 2nd book in her series to my daughter Emily. Emily read Vacen Taylor's first book in the Starchild series: The Age of Akra. She very much enjoyed the adventure and getting to know the characters. Emily eagerly anticipated the next book! Emily was thrilled when her copy of The City of Souls arrived and did what she could do to avoid her homework so that she could sneak and read The City of Souls. She read the book with much interest and said that she loved every bit of it. As a parent, it's a big comfort and joy to me when my kids find stories written for their enjoyment! The Starchild series captured the heart and imagination of my daughter. And she very much looks forward to book three." ~ 5 Star Review, Vonda N., Goodreads

Purchase Book 2

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iTunes | The Book Depository

My Review

The Starchild: Books 1 and 2 are full of fantasy and adventure. Vacen Taylor does a brilliant job of describing the people you meet and the places you go. It's a fast-paced story with well developed characters and once I reached the end of both books, I was surprised that they had ended. These books will keep your kids on the edge of their seats. They are very exciting stories. I believe that these books have the ability to keep even the less eager readers reading.

I read both books in a span of three days. They are action packed and each book explains events in a way that will help keep the reader on track. So, if there is a gap between reading the books, or if you don't manage to read them in sequence, you won't be lost. Also, at the end of each book is a summary of the different nations and their powers and the creatures that live in this universe.

The Starchild series reminds me a lot of the TV series Avatar: The Last Airbender, where people have the ability to control certain elements like fire and water. And, when you meet the Starchild, he is a boy named Akra, similar to Aang in the TV series. (In fact, I had a hard time not picturing Aang when I first met Akra.) Two of Vacen's main characters are a younger sister named Mai and an older brother named Long, like Katara and Sokka in the Avatar. (I really appreciated the brother-sister bond between Long and Mai in Vacen's story.) And, Long, just like Sokka, is the comic relief in the story. Even the name Mai is used in both series. The main enemy in the Starchild is the King of Fire and in the Avatar it's the Fire Lord. On the other hand, they are both their own stories with their own dangers and adventures.

I recommend these books for kids from age 10 to teens and even adults who love reading fantasy.

About the Author:

Vacen Taylor

Vacen Taylor

Vacen Taylor is an Australian author, writer, occasional artist and amateur photographer. She loves creating stories for children and reading to her young readers. She is a happy person with a zest for life and exploring the world at large. Vacen collects comics and loves superheroes. Her favourite superhero is Spider-Man. Vacen also believes in expressing the uniqueness of self. She has had several short stories published for adults online. Starchild is her first novel for children and is the first book in a series of seven.

Book Website | Author Website | Twitter

Facebook | Goodreads | Google+

* Book Blast Giveaway *

Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice)

Contest ends: August 1, 11:59 pm, 2014

Open: Internationally

How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.

Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Vacen Taylor and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.

a Rafflecopter giveaway