The Book:
Title: Steel LilyAuthor: Megan Curd
Genre: Dystopian
Source: ARC for tour. All opinions are my own and I have not been persuaded in any way.
Summary:
Excerpt:
I'd never seen anyone like him in Dome Four. His jawbone was strong, his cheekbones set high. His nose was regal and straight and when my gaze reached his eyes, my breath caught. Stormy blue-grey eyes that reminded me of shale returned my gaze with seemingly genuine curiosity, if not a bit of humor. Strips of colored fabric were woven into his dreadlocked hair, giving it a wildly unique appearance that suited him. His smug expression made me realize he was enjoying this.
“Are you finished checking me out? If you’re not, that’s okay; I allow every new woman I meet a free five-minute gawking period. After that, it’ll cost you.”
Blood rushed to my face. I tore my eyes from his magnetic gaze and watched as he took a worn leather strap off his wrist. He pulled back his dreadlocks–deep brown streaked with blonde–into the strap. His devilish grin pulled his eyes tight at the corners. He was trouble incarnate. Trouble I may very well want to get into, given the right circumstances.
“You’re at five minutes and thirty seconds now,” he said in a purr as he leaned in toward me. I felt his breath against my cheek, and my heart raced. “I’m going to start taking payment, and I choose how that payment is issued.”
Before I could respond, Alice stirred groggily beside me. She rubbed her eyes as she sat up. “Where are we?”
“Good question,” piped Jaxon. “One that your friend here failed to ask, but it could have been because I rendered her speechless with my good looks.”
Alice moved to get a better look at him, but he emphatically covered his face, as though he were a vampire trying to block the sun. “Don't look at me!” he cried, then grinned as he winked at me. “I don't want to make two ladies swoon in such a short period of time. How would I entertain myself tonight?”
“You’re not that handsome,” I argued mulishly.
“There’s drool on your chin. Either you're physically unable to keep your mouth shut, or I caused you to forget how. Since when I found you, you were drool free, I’m going with the assumption that it was me.” He fished in his pocket and offered me a piece of white silk. “Here, a handkerchief for your trouble.”
Review:
I truly enjoyed this book, STEEL LILY. Megan created a realistic world with some unique characteristics. These characteristics were "side-effects" from radiation from World War 3. The time frame of this book is eerily close-ish. That kind of freaked me out a bit! Hah!
I like that we were made to think one thing about Avery's Dome and then a plot twist when she arrived at a different Dome. Then, another plot twist! Megan definitely has the reader on his/her toes for this book.
I enjoyed the characters in our story. Avery was great! Jaxon was...Jaxon!!! (I have a totally hot guy in mind and I have the most inappropriate crush!) They had great banter and chemistry. Avery's best friend, Alice, was a great friend and good use of character to the story. Sari, the hacking whiz, was great and helpful. Legs being part of the story in the beginning and throughout...whew!
The characters that I don't want to name, give us big time plot twists and surprises.
If you enjoy humorous banter, a heroine, a hero, friendships, a hottie, Elementalists, Alchemists, a villain, secrets, and being kept guessing, you will enjoy STEEL LILY.
Rating:
AVERY PIKE is a commodity. No, more than a commodity. Her existence is guarded at all costs.
She’s a water Elementalist, the strongest of her dwindling kind. She creates steam to provide energy to fuel Dome Three: the only thing standing between humanity and an earth ravaged by World War III. No steam, no Dome. No Dome, no life.
Or so she thinks.
That is, until a mysterious man offers her a way out of having to donate steam. A way to escape the corrupt government of Dome Three. While the offer seems too good to be true, Avery is intrigued.
But when she arrives to her new home, she realizes the grass isn't any less dead on this side of the fence. Instead, the lies are just hidden better.
…Which means digging deeper.
When Avery enlists the help of her friends to uncover the truth, it may make her wonder if she was better off being a government tool than searching for freedom.
Some secrets are better left concealed, but humankind was never meant to live in a cage. And when you can control the most sought after resource, you can learn to control anything…including the fate of your world.
Purchase:
Amazon Kindle / B&N Nook Book“Are you finished checking me out? If you’re not, that’s okay; I allow every new woman I meet a free five-minute gawking period. After that, it’ll cost you.”
Blood rushed to my face. I tore my eyes from his magnetic gaze and watched as he took a worn leather strap off his wrist. He pulled back his dreadlocks–deep brown streaked with blonde–into the strap. His devilish grin pulled his eyes tight at the corners. He was trouble incarnate. Trouble I may very well want to get into, given the right circumstances.
“You’re at five minutes and thirty seconds now,” he said in a purr as he leaned in toward me. I felt his breath against my cheek, and my heart raced. “I’m going to start taking payment, and I choose how that payment is issued.”
Before I could respond, Alice stirred groggily beside me. She rubbed her eyes as she sat up. “Where are we?”
“Good question,” piped Jaxon. “One that your friend here failed to ask, but it could have been because I rendered her speechless with my good looks.”
Alice moved to get a better look at him, but he emphatically covered his face, as though he were a vampire trying to block the sun. “Don't look at me!” he cried, then grinned as he winked at me. “I don't want to make two ladies swoon in such a short period of time. How would I entertain myself tonight?”
“You’re not that handsome,” I argued mulishly.
“There’s drool on your chin. Either you're physically unable to keep your mouth shut, or I caused you to forget how. Since when I found you, you were drool free, I’m going with the assumption that it was me.” He fished in his pocket and offered me a piece of white silk. “Here, a handkerchief for your trouble.”
I truly enjoyed this book, STEEL LILY. Megan created a realistic world with some unique characteristics. These characteristics were "side-effects" from radiation from World War 3. The time frame of this book is eerily close-ish. That kind of freaked me out a bit! Hah!
I like that we were made to think one thing about Avery's Dome and then a plot twist when she arrived at a different Dome. Then, another plot twist! Megan definitely has the reader on his/her toes for this book.
I enjoyed the characters in our story. Avery was great! Jaxon was...Jaxon!!! (I have a totally hot guy in mind and I have the most inappropriate crush!) They had great banter and chemistry. Avery's best friend, Alice, was a great friend and good use of character to the story. Sari, the hacking whiz, was great and helpful. Legs being part of the story in the beginning and throughout...whew!
The characters that I don't want to name, give us big time plot twists and surprises.
If you enjoy humorous banter, a heroine, a hero, friendships, a hottie, Elementalists, Alchemists, a villain, secrets, and being kept guessing, you will enjoy STEEL LILY.
Rating:
The Author:When not writing, Megan enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She loves to snowboard and travel to new places, and doesn’t turn down the opportunity to play xBox with her brother and friends when it presents itself.
Megan currently resides in Stanton, Kentucky with her husband, son, and Great Dane named Dozer.
The Footsteps I Follow: Authors I Admire by Megan Curd
Hi Lisa! Thanks for having me on your blog today!
Everyone has people that they look up to and admire in all facets of their lives. However, for writing, I have a few that I really look up to. Some I know, but most I don’t. I’m not sure what I’d do if I got to meet them. I’d probably hyperventilate and fangirl.
Oh yeah, just like that.
So, who do I admire? I’ll give you my top three, even though the list is more like three thousand. But I highly doubt any of your want to read that many words. Don’t worry, you’ve been spared.
1.) J.K. Rowling – Oh, what I wouldn’t give to meet her. I’d probably cry, then fan myself, then give her a completely awkward hug that would end up getting me escorted off the premises. I’m sorry in advance, Ms. Rowling. I just can’t contain my love for your world building and character depth. It makes me oh so very happy. The fact that you had me loving to hate Snape for the entirety of the Harry Potter series has solidified you as my #1 favorite author for all time. Plus you pretty much shaped my childhood. I lived for getting those books each summer. So thank you.
2.) Dan Brown – Oh my goodness. This man is the master at making you HAVE to read the next chapter. I love it.
3.) Cassandra Clare – The woman can build a world from the ground up. I love it. Her descriptions make me taste/touch/smell everything she’s writing. She’s unbelievable.
And those are my top three authors I admire. What authors do you admire? Any that have shaped your lives or the way you read books? I’d love to hear from you. And, in the meantime, in the words of Sheldon Cooper:
