Shine Light Blog Tour: Suki :)

I am honoured to be included in the blog tour for Sine Light, the final book in the Night Creatures trilogy by Marianne de Pierres. I'm really digging the way this tour is structured: 

• each tour stop features a character profile/chat type thing (I am thrilled to be hosting some info on Naif's gorgeous friend, Suki (my fave parts of the chat is where Marianne talks about loving writing Suki's parts ~ I loved reading them :))
• secondly, there is a running extract from Shine Light (extract one started here, my extract is #5 of 13).

I am truly in awe of this gorgeous cover <3

Shine Light Blog Tour

Welcome to the Shine Light blog tour. At each stop we’ll be revealing something new about the characters in Shine Light. What makes them tick? Do they have any secrets? Read on to find out . . .

Suki

Suki seems to be everyone’s favourite character; bold, funny, loyal, practical. Who wouldn’t want a friend like her?  Without her Naif would have found the transition into Ixion unbearable. Suki backed her up and taught her how to laugh; showed her what a friend can be.

On a personal note, Suki was a joy to create and write. I loved the idea of her coming from a matriarchal society where the males had a lower social status but were still valued because they were necessary for the continuation of the race – such a different background to Naif’s.

In Naif, Suki sees an intelligent person who’s been scarred by her upbringing. She wants nothing more than to set Naif free of the chains that bind her. She also likes the fact that Naif can think her way through situations and doesn’t give in.

But not everything is clear cut in Suki’s life. She’s run away from Ixion to meet up with a boy named Liam, which suggests that somehow their bonding was not considered acceptable at home on Stra’ha. This is a secret that Suki carries for the whole series and never tells anyone, even Naif. In fact, the reader won’t even realise it’s a secret unless they start to question why Suki has come to Ixion in the first place (one of my little author tricks!).

Unfortunately, the pair encounters many obstacles to their simple plan and in Shine Light we find out what happens to their relationship. I hope in those scenes the readers get a glimpse into how Suki and Liam’s society works and how it has shaped them. I also hope that I’ve conveyed the depth of admiration and pride that Liam feels for Suki.  She is his warrior queen.

Break each code at the end of every blog post on the tour and your name will go in the draw to win a**super mystery prize** basket. Email your answers tomarianne@mariannedepierres.com.

“O VOSS VQZEI YGK QSVQNL.” SOQD ZG LXAO.

Ready for your next fix? Meet Jarrold at http://speconspecfic.com/

Did you miss the feature on Markes? See http://cels-confessionsofabookymonster.blogspot.com.au/

For the full tour listing see http://www.burnbright.com.au/

Shine Light

By Marianne de Pierres

Stop 5 of 13

Emilia saw the seriousness of their faces and spoke up. ‘What? What’s wrong?’ 

No one answered. 

Markes closed his hand to make a fist and with the other picked up his cup and tooka sip of water. 

Somehow he managed not to tremble. ‘Everyone who arrives on Ixion is fitted with abadge. It glows when you need to rest.' 

‘You need more rest then?’ 

‘No. My time for rest – they call it petite nuit – is gone. My badge is expiring. You see,Em, Ruzalia rescued many young people like us and took them to Sanctus beforethey were withdrawn.’ 

‘Withdrawn?’ Emilia’s brow creased. ‘Isn’t that when the Ripers drain the youngpeople?' 

‘Yes – although I’m not sure how many of them know about that.’ 

Naif swallowed and cleared her throat. ‘Joel promised he would spread word of it.Many more will have heard by now.’ 

‘What do you mean your badge is expiring, then?’ asked Emilia. 

‘Even after Ruzalia got us to Sanctus, the badges kept working for a while. But thenthey began to fail, as if we’d been withdrawn. Those people . . . died.’ 

Emilia stared open-mouthed at Ruzalia. 

The pirate’s face creased with frustration. ‘I’ve tried to find a way to revoke thebadges. They’re made by a science far greater than any I know.’ 

Silence fell around the table again. 

Naif watched as Emilia took Markes’s hands in her own and held them tenderlyagainst her breast. ‘How long do you have?’ she whispered. 

Markes shrugged, awkward with her gesture. ‘I’m not sure.’ 

‘No!’ Emilia’s shout pierced through Naif, echoing how she felt inside. 

The girl let go of Markes’s hands and stood, turning to Naif, her face full of anger anddemand. ‘You must stop this happening! You must!’

What happens next? find out tomorrow Speculating on Specfic :)

My review for Shine Light will be up in the next week. Here's a few teasers from some fellow Aussie bloggers who have already posted their reviews:

If there’s ever an opportunity to return to Ixion, I’ll be there with streamers in my hands and bells on my feet. Book Probe

This book was the perfect way to finish this trilogy – even though the ending KILLED me. Once again Marianne de Pierres has created something mysterious and magical. Ruby

Shine Light is a thrilling, disturbing ride with moments of honesty, friendship and love. Fans of the series will find this to be an excellent conclusion and new readers – what are you waiting for? Read this series now! Vegan YANerds

Thanks Marianne de Pierres for taking the time to share about Suki and I hope you guys are really enjoying the blog tour

:) Nomes

Angel Arias by Marianne de Pierres (Night Creatures #2)

Retra – now called Naif – has escaped from Ixion, the island of ever-night. She doesn’t know if her friends on the island survived the battle between the Ripers and the rebels.

But she does know that she must return home, behind the sealed walls of Grave, to find out why the Ripers have been seen there talking to the councillors. What links the two worlds?

First she must convince Ruzalia to help her. The fierce pirate captain saves those who face terrible fates on Ixion, but that doesn’t guarantee their gratitude. Instead, she faces a revolt – and Naif is caught in the middle.

Naif will need all her courage to survive. For Lenoir, who wants to keep her safe, for her friends Suki and Rollo, if they live, for Markes, who has secrets of his own, and for the new friends she will make on this journey.

The fate of worlds depends on it.

Angel Arias starts right after where Burn Bright left off ~ and it begins with the same dynamic energy that Burn Bright burned with ;) But where Burn Bright was mysterious, the world and plot swirling around the reader, Angel Arias has a different tone. It has an urgency and plenty of action, but this time Naif (Retra) is much more sure of herself.

The plot in Angel Arias is ambitious, secrets are revealed, unveiling more mysteries which showcase extraordinary world building: the world Marianne has created is intricate yet accessible. It's a daring kind of read, and just as original in flavour as the first book in the series. The scope of the book is fantastic (from time with the pirates, and seeing more islands), and I think the plot is best explored with no idea where it is heading (no spoilers here).

Aussie author Marianne de Pierres has a talent for throwing her readers alongside her characters in such a way that you are kept on your toes: the action is blended beautifully with plot twists and developments, the reader discovers things alongside the protagonist. There is foreshadowing, creating tension and atmosphere, but not clue-ing the reader in enough to make the plot predictable. It was the opposite. I was constantly on edge, even questioning the loyalties of certain characters, friends who suddenly seem like foe and enemies who have shades of goodness shining through.

I loved the larger scope of the book and yet somehow I missed that gothick-y vibe of Ixion (I am nostalgic by nature, haha). I cannot compare reading the first book in the series to read Angel Arias. I think I was so startled in my love of Burn Bright , like the first taste of chocolate, it was addictive, startling and delectable. Angel Arias did not stun me in the same way despite still being driven by that intoxicating vibe that made it impossible to put down.

It is not the kind of book I am normally drawn to (action, worlds, secrets ~ I am more often drawn to books that are less plot-driven, more character-driven) so perhaps I did not enjoy this as much as I *should* have. I think my enjoyment is more indicative of my tastes as a reader than the quality of this book. This is a book to enthral and ignite imaginations. Despite my wishing for more depth in the characters (with personal motivations, relationships) it is obvious the author cares for her characters (yet also has no qualms about putting them in harms way).

A small teaser: I was (incredibly, delightfully) pleased when the story suddenly swivelled, giving readers a taste of Lenoir's POV! A real surprise, it widened the scope of the story, and also, Lenoir is one enigmatic guy, so it was enlightening being inside his head).

Angel Arias was released in Australia this month (and it looks outstanding on the shelves)

Angel Arias @ goodreads

Angel Arias @ the Burn Bright website

Angel Arias @ Random House Australia

Thanks to Random House Australia and the ever-lovely, always-awesome Marianne for my review copy

Burn Bright by Marianne de Pierres

Into a world of wild secrets and deadly pleasures comes a girl whose innocence may be her greatest strength.

In Ixion music and party are our only beliefs. Darkness is our comfort. We have few rules but they are absolute . . .

Retra doesn’t want to go to Ixion, the island of ever-night, ever-youth and never-sleep. Retra is a Seal – sealed minds, sealed community. She doesn’t crave parties and pleasure, experience and freedom.

But her brother Joel left for Ixion two years ago, and Retra is determined to find him. Braving the intense pain of her obedience strip to escape the only home she’s ever known, Retra stows away on the barge that will take her to her brother.

When she can’t find Joel, Retra finds herself drawn deeper into the intoxicating world of Ixion. Come to me, whispers a voice in her head. Who are the Ripers, the mysterious guardians of Ixion? What are the Night Creatures Retra can see in the shadows? And what happens to those who grow too old for Ixion?

Retra will find that Ixion has its pleasures, but its secrets are deadly. Will friendship, and the creation of an eternal bond with a Riper, be enough to save her from the darkness?

Listen well, baby bats. Burn bright, but do not stray from the paths. Remember, when you live in a place of darkness you also live with creatures of the dark.


Guys, I was going to try and review this semi-professionally without all the gushing. But I can't seem to help it. I seriously LOVED this book.


In a YA market fast becoming saturated in dystopia's BURN BRIGHT shines out in the crowd. It's a dystopian tale with splashes of sci-fi. It is, in fact, so vibrant and unique and convincing that it makes me feel embarrassed for other recent (often flailing romantic) YA dystopia's. It is fantastically original, creepy, riveting and atmospheric. I can honestly say BURN BRIGHT is unlike any book I have ever read = complete WOW experience.

de Pierres makes it easy to sink into a complex world: her prose is lush and rich, evoking vibrant imagery. She doesn't patronise her readers with an overabundance of explanations or bore us with oodles of backstory: she just throws us into the story along with Retra. Not everything instantly makes sense or is explained away and I think this is a strength ~ it truly made me feel as if I was submerged 100% into the story along with Retra.


I went into it not knowing much apart from the blurb and had no idea what to expect. It's hard to give you a feel of this evocative book in such a short review so rather than run down a synopsis I prefer just to share how brilliant I thought it was and give a little teaser: 


There's pirates and gangs and secret passages and funky/strange pills and dark creatures. 
There's parties and a hot musician and mysterious creepy happenings. 
There's a world bigger than Ixion, which skitters on the horizon, with even bigger dystopian themes. 
It's ominous and daring and spectacular. 
LOVED the climax where some of the islands secrets are revealed ~ while leaving me craving more. 


I LOVED THIS:  It's dark and wild, unpredictable and somehow enchanting. I rated it the full FIVE STARS over on goodreads as for me it was a definite 5 star reading experience. I found it unputdownable, sensory rich and utterly absorbing. It had been a while since I have been so pulled into someone else's story. I loved being in Retra's world and can't wait to return with the sequel.

Recommended: I very nearly missed out on reading this by thinking it wasn't a "me book." I thought it may be too paranormal-ish, too hedonistic (LOL) or too fantastical ~ GUYS ~ I know it may not be raved about by everyone but if you're in a reading slump or looking for a completely addictive absorbing experience I absolutely recommend Burn Bright. It's truly original and you can completely tell the author loves her world and characters. Brilliant stuff ~ it's in my top ten reads so far this year (and I stayed up past 2am trying to read it in one big gulping go)

I also think it would make one wild movie on the big screen!

Listen well, baby bats. Burn bright, but do not stray from the paths. Remember, when you live in a place of darkness you also live with creatures of the dark.

Burn Bright @ goodreads
Burn Bright website (absolutely gorgeous artwork ~ check it out!)
Burn Bright @ Random House Australia

The trailer is gorgeous <3

Burn Bright is the first book in the Night Creatures trilogy.

Book #2 Angel Arias will be released in Australia in November this year.

Angel Arias @ goodreads

(also, shout out to another awesome Aussie YA and fingers crossed it gets picked up by an international publisher)