Review and Giveaway Ixeos (Ixeos Trilogy #1) by Jennings Wright - Book Tour

„[...]they’re all the same when you get down to it. Good versus evil, freedom versus tyranny, love versus hate.”

Well, this time I chose the book only by its cover! I liked it, I risked and WON!

I don’t know if you are familiar with those spy movies, resistance fighters or the ones in which spectacular escapes are prepared during the Second World War? Certainly they are good movies that do not fall in abeyance precisely because of their quality. Ixeos, with all its catacombs, sinister or not, secret entrances and portals, with the danger that can come from any direction and at every step, the way in which the characters are preparing for the No.1 mission  recovering all sorts of relics, their ingenuity and organization that give prove, creates a similar atmosphere, but a fresh one. Modern elements are also present, but they are not seizing the action, just pointing out that "our world" has a chance still.

The author’s idea is interesting. What you’ll choose to do if you'll be "lured" away from your world and put in the position to fight for the good of others? You’ll join the battle or you’ll hide and you’ll live on your own without getting involved?

“It’s not our world, but it is. […] And if they have people like us, then it must be true that there’s some good still in this world, too; that’s got to be worth fighting for.”

Action is pretty alert, always something happening and manages to keep you plugged. The tension is present and becomes effective through the actions already past rather than those experienced by our heroes.

“Clay still had the small flashlight. Without a word, he clicked it on and handed it to their leader. The man’s jaw was clenched tight as they followed the red stain to the portal.”

However, our characters have their part of adventures, unexpected and dangerous confrontations, even losses. The relationships that are arise, the friendships can be destroyed at any time and their daily safety does not exist. The survival and the purpose’s fulfillment are the only things that matter.

Author's decision to choose young people is a very good one. I think that the characters’ young age is very important. Young people are free from all responsibilities, however at the beginning, idealistic, for them nothing seems to be unsurmountable and they are those who can pass easier over the "stress" born by their rapture while they still feeling its burden.

“I know what you mean about having some of home. Someone to share memories with, someone who knows what your mother looks like, and your school friends. Someone you still have a few inside jokes with. Everyone here is really nice, and, except for having to try not to get killed, it’s not so bad once you get used to it. But having a piece of home… Well, that’s priceless.”

I like how their passions (we are what we do?) helps the characters not only to survive, but also gives them a chance to succeed. Each of them is predestined to do something, but remains to discover what, in fact to discover himself.

The drops of humor are welcome, refreshing the mood and highlight the real important issues.

There are many elements of which explanations the author keeps for next volumes, although the reader longs to know. Who and especially what London is, what power he possess and what is his goal, if there is any and if can be find a way back home and the connection between Clay and ... I’ll not telling you!

The conclusion: I liked the book a lot and I recommend to you.

 I received the book for review as part of Book Tour - Thank you

Romanian:

Tour Schedule

„[...]they’re all the same when you get down to it. Good versus evil, freedom versus tyranny, love versus hate.”

Ei bine, de data asta am ales cartea doar după copertă! Mi-a plăcut, am riscat şi AM CÂŞTIGAT!

Nu ştiu dacă sunteți familiarizați cu filmele cu spioni, luptători din rezistență sau cele în care se pregăteau evadări spectaculoase în timpul celui de-al doilea război mondial? Cu siguranță filme bune care nu cad în desuetitudine tocmai datorită calității lor. Ixeos, cu toate catacombele lui sinistre sau nu, intrările şi portalurile secrete, pericolul ce poate veni din orice direcție şi la tot pasul, modul în care personajele se pregătesc pentru misiunea nr.1 recuperând tot felul de relicve, ingeniozitatea şi organizarea de care dau dovadă, creează o atmosferă asemănătoare, dar proaspătă. Elementele moderne sunt şi ele prezente, dar nu acaparează acțiunea, punctând doar faptul că „lumea noastră” mai are o şansă.

Ideea autoarei e interesantă. Ce ai alege să faci dacă „furat” fiind din lumea ta ai fi pus în situația de a lupta pentru binele altora? Te-ai alătura luptei sau te-ai ascunde şi ai trăi de unul singur fără să te implici?

“It’s not our world, but it is. […] And if they have people like us, then it must be true that there’s some good still in this world, too; that’s got to be worth fighting for.”

Acțiunea e destul de alertă, mereu se întâmplă ceva şi reuşeşte să te țină în priză. Tensiunea este prezentă şi îşi produce efectele prin acțiunile deja trecute mai degrabă decât prin cele prin care trec eroii noştri.

“Clay still had the small flashlight. Without a word, he clicked it on and handed it to their leader. The man’s jaw was clenched tight as they followed the red stain to the portal.”

Totuşi, şi personajele noastre au parte de ceva peripeții, înfruntări neaşteptate şi periculoase, chiar şi de pierderi. Relațiile care se înfiripă, prieteniile legate pot fi distruse oricând, iar siguranța zilei de mâine nu există. Supraviețuirea şi împlinirea scopului sunt singurele lucruri care contează.

Decizia autoarei de a alege persoane tinere este una foarte bună. Consider că vârsta tânără la care sunt „atrase” personajele are o mare importanță. Tinerii sunt liberi de orice responsabilități, oricum la început de drum, idealişti, nimic nu li se pare de nereuşit şi sunt cei care trec mai uşor peste „stresul” ruperii de lumea lor, deşi simt greutatea acesteia.

 “I know what you mean about having some of home. Someone to share memories with, someone who knows what your mother looks like, and your school friends. Someone you still have a few inside jokes with. Everyone here is really nice, and, except for having to try not to get killed, it’s not so bad once you get used to it. But having a piece of home… Well, that’s priceless.”

Îmi place şi modul în care pasiunile (suntem ceea ce facem?) le ajută pe personaje nu doar să reziste, ci le dă şi o şansă de a reuşi. Fiecare e predestinat a face ceva, rămâne însă să descopere ce anume, să se descopere în fapt pe sine. 

Picăturile de umor sunt binevenite, împrospătează starea de spirit şi pun în lumină adevăratele chestiuni importante.

Există şi multe elemente a căror explicații autoarea le păstrează pentru volumele următoare, deşi cititorul tânjeşte să le afle. Cine şi mai ales ce este London, ce puteri are şi ce urmăreşte, dacă există şi dacă poate fi găsită o cale spre casă şi care este legătura dintre Clay şi... nu vă spun!

Concluzia: mi-a plăcut cartea mult şi v-o recomand.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble

About the author:

Born and raised in Florida, Jennings spent her early years reading anything she could get her hands on, when she wasn't spending time in and on the water. She won a prize in the 6th grade for her science fiction stories.

Jennings attended the University of Tampa, graduating with a B.A. in Political Science, and almost enough credits for B.A.s in both English and History. She attended graduate school at the University of West Florida, studying Psychology. She spent time over the years doing various kinds of business writing, editing, and teaching writing, but mostly having and raising her family, homeschooling her children, owning and running a business with her husband, and starting a non-profit.

Thanks to a crazy idea called NaNoWriMo Jennings got back into creative writing in 2011 and hasn't stopped since. She currently lives in North Carolina with her husband, also a business owner and writer, and two children, and travels extensively with her family, and her non-profit in Uganda.

Facebook * Twitter * Website * Blog * Amazon * Goodreads

Blog Tour Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 4/12/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the authors. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
a Rafflecopter giveaway