The Touched (The Descendants #1) by Jennifer Weiser

The Touched (The Descendants #1)
by Jennifer Weiser
Publisher: Limitless Publishing
Release Date: September 29th, 2015
Rate: Enjoyed it (3,5 stars)


Synopsis:

The first sixteen years of Arabella Penthallow’s life have been a lie…

In a world where deception is the key to survival, Ara has kept up the charade of being a perfect Legion Leader’s daughter. But a darkness stirs, and she discovers she is Touched, a mortal gifted by the Gods. The Touched are as rare as they are feared, and Ara is forced to leave Union City for neighboring Midnight City to protect herself and those she loves, leaving Tove Thorn, the boy who has always known her heart, behind.

Carter Decker has vowed to burn Union City to the ground…

Midnight City’s cocky, infamous bad boy always gets what he wants, and he wants Union City to pay for burning his mother alive because she was Touched. When Carter meets Ara, she is everything he’s been taught to hate. Then he learns she is Touched—just like him—he isn’t sure who he hates more…the Touched girl whose father killed his mother, or himself for being tempted by someone he’s sworn to kill.

They are told they’re fated to be soul mates…and they each wish the other never existed.

When Midnight City is attacked by Union City, Carter and Arabella will do the unthinkable…even if it means falling for the enemy. The truth lies in Arabella’s home nation, and Tove is waiting. Soul mates or not, he has an advantage Carter doesn’t, fated souls be damned.

War is coming…and Ara is the prize.

The Touched was a story that truly interested me. It has a great synopsis and when Jennifer contacted us to work with us in the FFBC Tours, she made my day. I was captivated by the soul mates and the war between cities that the synopsis promised. And I was not disappointed.

Jennifer's world is torn between two societies: The Touched, people who have magical abilities, and the normal people. In Carter's city, The Touched are accepted and educated, while in Arabella's city are hunted and executed. Carter hates everyone in Union City for burning her mother alive for saving someone in the street while visiting the city and Arabella is running from the city and the people she grew with because of what she is.

I have to confess that at first was a bit lost in what world I landed in, but as soon as the story progresses and we get to meet the characters and their surrounding everything becomes clearer. The story is narrated from different points of view, more than two, and while this gives an extra insight into the story, I sometimes get overwhelmed by this. Although I have to say that most of the story is told from three POVs, so this made this read bearable. 

The characters were well-built and every single one of them had its own voice. I liked that Arabella is a strong female, but also has her weaknesses and needs the people she loves. She's the powerful one in the story and struggles with it. Meanwhile, Carter starts as the cocky and irritable guy described in the synopsis but we get to see more of him. He ends up being a caring guy with a big mouth who ends up falling in love with Arabella and that brings out the best version of him. 

All this made the story a good one, but one that needs to evolve a bit. A clear example is Arabella's love life. She has so many guys falling for her that for my reading heart was difficult to just choose a team (although it was pretty easy for me. Team Carter all the way down. Just no funny things with anyone else in future books, please. Thank you). 

In my opinion The Descendants series have a lot of potential and I think that the author did a fantastic job with her debut novel. But I just think that the story needs more focusing and since the ending was more directed towards one goal the second book will be mind-blowing. Therefore, I highly recommend this story to all YA readers in love with magic, romances and impossible relationships. I had a great time reading the first novel in the series and I just can't wait to read more. Oh my that ending!

Follow the The Touched by Jennifer Weiser Blog Tour and don't miss anything! Click on the banner to see the tour schedule.

Jennifer Weiser is a young adult author who has always been a book nerd and a bit chocolate obsessed. Writing has always been a favorite escape, but quickly became a passion not long after the birth of her daughter. When she isn't combing the shelves of her local book stores or blogging about newest book obsessions, you can find her nestled in her nook creating worlds she hopes that one day will inspire her daughter, who not only has given her the courage to follow her dreams--but offers the inspirations that help color their worlds together.

Win (1) signed paperback of THE TOUCHED by Jennifer Weiser (US Only)

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The Touched (The Descendants #1) by Jennifer Weiser

The Touched (The Descendants #1)
by Jennifer Weiser
Publisher: Limitless Publishing
Release Date: September 29th, 2015


Synopsis:

The first sixteen years of Arabella Penthallow’s life have been a lie…

In a world where deception is the key to survival, Ara has kept up the charade of being a perfect Legion Leader’s daughter. But a darkness stirs, and she discovers she is Touched, a mortal gifted by the Gods. The Touched are as rare as they are feared, and Ara is forced to leave Union City for neighboring Midnight City to protect herself and those she loves, leaving Tove Thorn, the boy who has always known her heart, behind.

Carter Decker has vowed to burn Union City to the ground…

Midnight City’s cocky, infamous bad boy always gets what he wants, and he wants Union City to pay for burning his mother alive because she was Touched. When Carter meets Ara, she is everything he’s been taught to hate. Then he learns she is Touched—just like him—he isn’t sure who he hates more…the Touched girl whose father killed his mother, or himself for being tempted by someone he’s sworn to kill.

They are told they’re fated to be soul mates…and they each wish the other never existed.

When Midnight City is attacked by Union City, Carter and Arabella will do the unthinkable…even if it means falling for the enemy. The truth lies in Arabella’s home nation, and Tove is waiting. Soul mates or not, he has an advantage Carter doesn’t, fated souls be damned.

War is coming…and Ara is the prize.

Hello Jennifer! We are super excited to have you in our FFBC tours.

Hi FFBC! Thank you so much for having me! I’m thrilled to be apart of FFBC tours!

Favorite Book?

That is such a hard question. :) I have many books that serve as favorites, but if I had to pick just one, it would be The Selection by Kiera Cass.

Favorite TV show?

Reign, Game Of Thrones, Veronica Mars

Favorite movie?

All the Harry Potter movies along with all of The Hunger Games.

Your Favorite Song?

Hands down, anything Fall Out Boy

Favorite Food?

Chocolate

Name 3 fictional places you would move to in a heartbeat.

1. Wonderland

2. Illea

3. St. Vladimir’s Academy

Who is your perfect fictional boyfriend?

Narrow it down to one? I have many, but… :) Prince Maxon

Favorite Quote?

“The stories we love best live in us forever.” JK Rowling

What do you find yourself “Fangirling” over?

I fan girl over pretty much anything written by Kiera Cass, Wendy Higgins and Jennifer Armentrout!

If you could meet one author, dead or alive, who would it be?

Kiera Cass—The Selection was a book that found me during a difficult time and it was her words and story truly helped inspire me to continue pushing forward. 

Something to say to our Book Addicts?

There is no such thing as too many books, despite what people might tell you! :)

Could you tell our Book Addicts a little bit about The Touched in a tweet (140 characters)? 

Hmm—that’s a bit tough. But I’ll try my best. :)

Descendants of ancient Gods, darkness will awaken the wicked. One is chosen. War is coming...Ara is the prize.

With forces of darkness, forces of the heart, one is chosen. Wickedness stirs. It will be her curse...she will be it's reckoning. 

Can you describe Arabella’s world to our readers?

Arabella lives in a world were fear and death is all she’s ever known. Trapped in a nation that burns people alive at the stake for the secrets she holds, she is sent against her will by her father her nations leader to a neighboring nation that promises her protection. But fear follows her to Midnight City, where secrets, lies and betrayal begin to tangle her heart awakening a force within her. One she’s kept hidden…one that threatens to destroy all that she loves and the world they live in. 

Can you tell us more about Arabella and Carter, their relationship and their respective personalities?

Arabella and Carter are both strong willed and independent. They both speak their mind, whether the other wants hear it or not. Their relationship hardly starts warm and fuzzy as both are convinced there will never be a common ground between them. 

Carter is used to getting his way. As Midnight City’s infamous bad boy—there isn’t something he can’t get. His ego sometimes gets in the way. His heart has been guarded the day he lost his mother at Union City’s hands. Battling with his own guilt and remorse, he may play the bad boy well—but the facade begins to slip when he meets Ara.

Ara has always loved fiercely. But twisted with bitterness and fear, she closes herself off hoping to protect those she loves. She’s never fully allowed herself to be anyone but the dutiful daughter of Union City’s Leader—except when she’s around her best friend Tove Thorn. Tove has always been able to read her heart—a problem when it comes to keeping her secrets safe. Prepared to guard herself from the infamous bad boy of Midnight City—and guard her secrets, try as she might, her heart can’t be guarded around Carter…

How did you come up with the story? Did you find inspiration in any other story/movie/show and how has this affected your writing?

It’s funny, because I get asked this question quite frequently—but the story of The Touched, just sort of surfaced one afternoon in the winter of 2012. I wasn’t playing on writing the book, but I had this young girl in my mind that was battling with a darkness within her. One that threaten to destroy everything in her world. That voice, which was Ara’s fascinated me. As I sat and wrote, once the story started to unfold, I couldn’t not write it. 

I think all authors are inspired by other authors or movies. But, that very month that I started writing The Touched, I had just finished reading The Selection. Kiera Cass wrote an amazing book about a girls struggle with trying to save and better her family, and out run a broken heart only to discover the girl she never allowed herself to truly be and a prince along the way. I loved that. The characters, the plot, Kiera Cass’s writing style. It opened up a potential in myself that I had forgotten was there. I had gone down the rabbit hole that winter…and her book—kind of pulled me out. 

Tell us your favorite quote from The Touched.

There are so many favorites, it’s hard to narrow it down to just one! So I will give you the top three. :)

“In this single fragment of time, I could no longer be the girl I’ve always been afraid to be.”

“I won’t give up. I will fight for you. I’ll fight to keep you.”

“The girl who I’ve only begun to love is slipping through my fingers.”

Is there a specific scene that you had the most fun to write?

I particularly loved writing scenes that made Carter flustered by Arabella. The most fun I had, was his confession in the park to Ara. For the first time, Carter was open and real and that was a fun scene to explore writing. 

If you had to pick one song to be the Theme Song for The Touched – Which one would you pick? 

This Is War—30 Seconds To Mars

Is there any recommendations you could give your readers to be in the “perfect mood” to read The Touched (specific music, snacks…)? 

I’m big on sea salt caramels! To me a good book is best shared with a favorite chocolate and pomegranate tea. 

What’s the best thing about being an author and the best thing about being a book blogger?

The best thing about being an author is knowing that somewhere, those characters that I’ve loved so fiercely are possibly being loved by someone else. To me, there isn’t a better feeling. As a book blogger, there have been so many books that have affected me. Left me with the most amazing book hangovers—words can’t truly describe nor really give justice to what book hangover and the feelings it leaves you with. Books have always been apart of me. Writing became almost second nature to me. Being able to write a book and feel that instant connection that so many books have given me—that’s what matters. 

What’s next for you? 

I’m currently working on book two in The Descendants series as well as plotting book three. As if that wasn’t enough, I’m also working on two other book projects— a YA fantasy and a YA contemporary. I’m excited to see where they take me and can’t wait to continue on this amazing publication journey! 

Thank you so much for everything, Jennifer!

Thank you so very much for having me!

Follow the The Touched by Jennifer Weiser Blog Tour and don't miss anything! Click on the banner to see the tour schedule.

Jennifer Weiser is a young adult author who has always been a book nerd and a bit chocolate obsessed. Writing has always been a favorite escape, but quickly became a passion not long after the birth of her daughter. When she isn't combing the shelves of her local book stores or blogging about newest book obsessions, you can find her nestled in her nook creating worlds she hopes that one day will inspire her daughter, who not only has given her the courage to follow her dreams--but offers the inspirations that help color their worlds together.

Win (1) signed paperback of THE TOUCHED by Jennifer Weiser (US Only)

Win an ebook copy of THE TOUCHED by Jennifer Weiser and some signed swag (INT)

Win a $10 Amazon Gift Card from Amazon.com (INT)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Excerpt Tour: Reign of Shadows (Descendants #3) by Melissa Wright

Read along with us on the EXCERPT TOUR for the third book in the YA/NA Urban Fantasy Descendants Series

Reign of Shadows (Descendants #3)

by Melissa Wright

Release Date: July 30th 2014

Synopsis:

Brianna can see her future, but it’s the past that haunts her. Plans laid in place centuries ago are threatening not only her and her sister, but all of the Seven Lines. As the shadows plot their way to old rule, the visions shift again. Her power has led to some hard choices—and the occasional stab wound—but this set of futures holds nothing but darkness.

Unable to bear the idea of losing the footing they've so recently gained, she turns the soldiers of the Seven. But with shadows hidden among the ranks, can she overcome the path they've set in place, or is she blindly following their lead?

Read my review for Bound By Prophecy

Read my review for Shifting Fate

You can read an excerpt of Bound by Prophecy here.

ON SALE

Get the ebook for FREE on Nook and Kindle. Can also purchase from the Book Depository, and in audio at iTunes and Audible.

Melissa is the author of the Frey Saga and Descendants Series. She is currently working on the next book, but when not writing can be found collecting the things she loves at Goodreads and Pinterest. Contact her through the web at www.melissa-wright.com.

Grand Prize: $15 Amazon Gift Card and ebook copies of all three Descendants' books

3 - ebook copies Shifting Fate or Reign of Shadows (winner's choice)

Open internationally - Ends August 7th

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