Sunday, November 10, 2013

The Holders (Holders #1) by Julianna Scott - Ashley's Pre-Reading

*I received this book as an eARC from Strange Chemistry/Angry Robot on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

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Title: The Holders
Author: Julianna Scott
Year Published: 2013

Synopsis: 
17-year-old Becca spent her whole life protecting her brother from, well, everything. The abandonment of their father, the so called 'experts' who insist that voices in his head are unnatural and must be dealt with, and the constant threat of being taken away to some hospital and studied like an animal. When two representatives appear claiming to have the answers to Ryland's perceived problem, Becca doesn't buy it for one second. That is until they seem to know things about Ryland and about Becca and Ryland's family, that forces Becca to concede that there may be more to these people than meets the eye. Though still highly skeptical, Becca agrees to do what's best for Ryland.


What they find at St. Brigid's is a world beyond their imagination. Little by little they piece together the information of their family's heritage, their estranged Father, and the legend of the Holder race that decrees Ryland is the one they've been waiting for. However, they are all--especially Becca--in for a surprise that will change what they thought they knew about themselves and their kind.

She meets Alex, a Holder who is fiercely loyal to their race, and for some reason, Becca and Ryland. There's an attraction between Becca and Alex that can't be denied, but her true nature seems destined to keep them apart. However, certain destinies may not be as clear cut as everyone has always believed them to be.

Becca is lost, but found at the same time. Can she bring herself to leave Ryland now that he's settled and can clearly see his future? Will she be able to put the the feelings she has for Alex aside and head back to the US? And can Becca and Ryland ever forgive their father for what he's done?

Why?: I love YA fantasy, and I've heard such excellent things about this book that I just couldn't pass it up a second time! Surprises and mysteries and sibling camaraderie and romance ... I just feel like The Holders has everything a good fantasy book should have! 

Expectations: I have pretty high expectations for this book, even though I've never read anything by Julianna. All of the reviews I've read of this book have been glowing, and I hope I'm in the minority that was disappointed by it in any way! 

Judging a book by its cover: This cover is simple, but I think that's actually a good thing. It doesn't give anything away, and the green stone in the amulet looking thing really stands out from the darker background. It's caught my eye several times online, and I would definitely pick it up if I saw it on a shelf somewhere. 


--Ashley

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