Welcome to StNC's contribution to the Anew blog tour. Huge props to Kelly at InkSlinger PR for another well-orchestrated blog tour. Be sure to check out her site to find out more about what she does and what else is coming up!
Today I have for you a review of Chelsea Fine's Anew, first in the Archers of Avalon series. Anew was actually published last year, so it was a lot of fun to discover a new book that I missed out on initially in all of the holiday hubbub. Be sure to check out the rest of the tour for more reviews and lots of great content, and don't forget to take a peek at the second book, Awry.
publisher: Acacia Publishing
date of publication: December 7, 2011
format: paperback
pages: 385
source: from the publisher for review
From Goodreads:
Two years ago, Scarlet awoke in the forest alone, afraid, and unable to remember anything. Lost and confused, her life was a mystery...until she met a boy with a familiar voice.
Gabriel Archer has a voice from her past, and Scarlet's determined to remember why. She immerses herself in his life only to discover he has a brother he's kept hidden from her: Tristan Archer.
Upon meeting Tristan, Scarlet's world becomes even more muddled. While she's instinctively drawn to Gabriel, she's impossibly drawn to Tristan--and confused out of her mind. As she tries to piece together her history Scarlet realizes her past...might just be the death of her.
Anew is a book that, somehow, escaped my notice last December, despite having a description that proved appealing. As you can see in the synopsis above, there are intriguing elements such as an amnesiac 17 year old, fleeting hints of a past well-hidden, and mysterious boys that are somehow tied to her. A little magic and a curse promise to provide a good read for those looking for something out of the ordinary. In many ways, Anew did provide this. However, there were also a few bits that fell short and left me with much to ponder.
Scarlet is an interesting character in that she has absolutely no idea who she truly is or where she came from. When she awoke in the forest of small-town Avalon, Georgia, all she knew was that her name was Scarlet Jacobs. Her feelings of not belonging make her a character that you immediately feel for and her penchant for sarcasm appealed to me very much. She has a great dynamic with her best friend, Heather, a girl with a veneer of superficiality but a surprisingly keen perspective on Scarlet's nature. Heather's loyalty and protectiveness to Scarlet are admirable traits while her drama queen tendencies and well-paced banter with Scarlet made for some very entertaining moments. In that department, I was well-pleased. However, there was a feeling of something missing. While Scarlet has an independent streak, I would have loved to see even more backbone. There's nothing like a sassy character with a fantastic ability for knowing exactly what needs to be done.
I really enjoyed the premise for Anew. The concept of a centuries-long curse with such a lingering, devastating aftermath is what really piqued my interest. While the details were a little maddening in the slowness with which they were revealed, it truly does make for a great storyline. There is one aspect of the plot, however, that I had some trouble with: the Archer brothers and the love triangle that exists between them and Scarlet. There are pros and cons about the brothers that shouldn't be discounted. On the one hand, the brothers are a great contrast for each other and each brings their own personality, motives, and methods to the table. On the other hand, they tend to bicker like an old married couple. What I found especially irksome was Gabriel's excessive use of the term "evil" for his brother, Tristan. I get that he does not agree with his brother's approach to the problem at hand, but it doesn't speak well of Gabriel, himself, that he is willing to accept it should it deliver the desired result. To sum it up, I found it distasteful that he was willing to profit from the very thing he turned up his nose at. It was a bit too wishy-washy for my taste and left me with undecided as to whether or not I found him to be an enjoyable character.
In the end, Anew provided some really fun reading. The plentiful banter was amusing and enjoyable and the dynamics of the curse were very intriguing. Though I am not sold on the love triangle aspect, I do recognize enough potential in the brothers to keep an open mind. If you're looking for something a little out of the ordinary, Anew would be a good pick to try out. With magic, romance, and with, it makes for an entertaining, fun read that leaves you wanting to know more.
Buy Anew at the Following Locations:
Obligatory legal statement: This book was provided to me free of charge by the publisher. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.
About the Author
Chelsea lives in Phoenix, AZ where she spends most of her time writing young adult fiction, painting murals, and avoiding housework at all costs. Her obsessions include: superheroes, coffee, sleeping-in, and crazy socks. She lives with her husband and two children, who graciously tolerate her inability to resist teenage drama on TV and her complete lack of skill in the kitchen.
The Giveaways
Giveaway 1: Open Internationally!
Giveaway 2: US Only
I would love ta have this paperback copy,I've read Anew n Loved it!! Have it on my kindle,hopin' soon ta get Awry,next! Thanks fer the giveaway!
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