Friday, June 1, 2012

Surrender Rocks & Never Surrender!

 DUDE! You've got to read this book!!!


I had to borrow Elana Johnson's vocabulary to shout out about her latest book, SURRENDER. I finished it about an hour ago, and I can't stop thinking about it. I'm pretty sure I'll still be thinking about it tomorrow. And the next day. And next week...

(Okay, this post was scheduled - I actually finished it a few weeks back now, but I had to write this down as SOON as I finished it. And, yes, I'm still thinking about it!)

It's one of those books. You know the ones - they stick in your heart and your head for a very, very long time.

Elana creates incredible people - wait! I have to remind myself they're characters... The 2 main characters, Gunn and Raine, wound themselves into my heart in no time. They're vibrant, strong and so passionate about their world!

The world was well developed in Possession, and now, in Surrender, it becomes deeper and darker. The layers of the world make it so real - no one-dimensional setting here!

I also love the way this companion book integrates the characters from Possession. They're blended into the story seamlessly. And they still have the power to break my heart and make it soar - sometimes at the same moment!

Elana - you've created some magic here - great job! :)

ALSO...

To celebrate Surrender's release, Elana's having a great blogfest the week of June 11th - 15th. In her words...
All you have to do is blog about a time you didn't surrender. Trained for a marathon? Queried agents? Had to study for an entrance exam? I'm looking for inspirational stories that you have experienced. Hard things you've accomplished because you didn't give up. I want to be inspired by you!

Anyone who blogs this week for the theme can enter to win one of three $15 B&N gift cards. Everyone who blogs this week will receive a SURRENDER swag package. (You can get the blogfest language and badge here.)
Sounds like fun! I hope you'll join me -- I'm looking forward to all the posts!

What book have you read lately that makes your heart both break and soar?

46 comments:

Kyra Lennon said...

Ooh, this sounds great! I just had a similar experience reading My Heart For Yours by Jolene Perry and Stephanie Campbell. :D

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Her second book - very exciting!

Natalie Aguirre said...

I so agree with your review Jemi. I totally love Raine & Gunner. This is one of the best second books in a series I've read. It was amazing.

And I'm excited for the blogfest too.

Beth said...

This sounds like a wonderful book! Thanks for the review - I'm looking forward to reading it.

Laura Pauling said...

Totally agree with you! Read and loved Surrender!

Jemi Fraser said...

Kyra - I haven't read that one yet - I'm marking it down! :)

Alex - it is! The world's story continues & it's awesome! :)

Natalie - it really is one of the best 2nds out there! :)

Beth - I know you'll love it!

Jemi Fraser said...

Laura - I know - it's SO good!

Yvonne Osborne said...

Nice post, Jemi. If I ever get a book out I want you on my cheerleading squad! I've been thinking about posting for the theme. It's all about time for me these days.

storyqueen said...

What I love about elana's characters is that not only are they "incredible", but they are very "credible" as well.

Looking forward to Surrender!

Shelley

Mary said...

I have this one on my shelf and need to read it ASAP! I really liked the world she created in the first one and, since this one is a companion novel (right?), I'm looking forward to seeing this world again!

T. Powell Coltrin said...

I have not surrendered to Surrender yet, but now I must after reading your review.

T

DL Hammons said...

I've already signed up for Elena's blogfest and Surrender is creeping its way towards the top of my TBR list! :)

L. Diane Wolfe said...

That's next week? Need to think about it. I'm a stubborn redhead so there aren't many instances when I surrender. LOL

Julie Dao said...

I love the sound of this blogfest and am so excited to read Elana's books! They are on my Goodreads list!

Susan Kaye Quinn said...

Sounds awesome! Can't wait to do my "Surrender" post next week. :) Congrats to Elana!

Old Kitty said...

Huge huge congrats to lovely Elena! Take care
x

Jack said...

I need to find this book. I've seen it showing up on lots of different blogs, and everyone has nothing but good to say about it. My library really needs to get it so I can read it.

Johanna Garth said...

Oooh, sounds intriguing!!

LD Masterson said...

Okay, I couldn't really tell but I think you're recommending this book, right? *grin*

Seriously, it sounds great.

Lynn Proctor said...

wow this is the day for posts about different kinds of surrender i guess--this sounds really great!

cleemckenzie said...

How wonderful to become lost in a book . . to Surrender to its charm.

Anonymous said...

It's on my TBR book list!

Jemi Fraser said...

Yvonne - my pompoms will be primed and ready!! Can't wait :) And time is really a premium these days, isn't it? :)

Shelley - I LOVE that distinction - you're so right. Credible and Incredible all at the same time!!

Mary - it's a great companion novel! I loved seeing the new characters and watching the world deepen - awesome!

Teresa - it's a really great book!

DL - I saw you name - looking forward to your post!

Diane - love it!! Why am I not surprised you're not the surrendering kind? :)

Julie - they're really good! I love the world she's created and the characters are fabulous! :)

Susan - yay! Looking forward to your post!!

Old Kitty - Elana is one of the nicest people I've met in the bloggy-verse :)

Jack - put in a request for it! It's a great thing to do for an author - and most libraries will accommodate :)

Johanna - intriguing is a perfect word!

Linda - teehee! Yup - highly recommending it! :)

Lynn - it really is! I love the series so far - can't wait for #3!!

Lee - Love it! And that's exactly right! :)

Susanne - yay! I'm sure you'll love it!

J.L. Campbell said...

Clearly, she has written some wonderful characters. For me, that's an important ingredient.

Jemi Fraser said...

JL - me too. Without strong characters I can care about, the plot means nothing!

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

I'm so excited for Elana! I'm doing a post about her on the 11th. She is the Queen of blogland...

I just read Clean and Beautiful they both are overwhelming!

Jemi Fraser said...

Sharon - she really is! And she's so kind and generous as well. I hope this book sells a million copies - it's great!

Denise Covey said...

This sounds great Jemi. Surrender? Never! LOL!

Denise

dolorah said...

Looks like I need to read some YA :)

........dhole

Jemi Fraser said...

Donna - yup! Elana writes some of favourite YA! :)

Talli Roland said...

Ooh, fantastic! Go Elana go! :) Hm, for me it's gotta be The Time Traveller's Wife. I sob and sob at the ending!

Jemi Fraser said...

Denise - exactly! (sorry I took a little longer to resond - your comment was stuck in my spam filter :( )

Talli - I haven't read that one because I know I'll do exactly that! My niece keeps trying to get me to read it :)

Anonymous said...

I read Elana's first book and I'd like to read this one too.

Jemi Fraser said...

Medeia - I liked it at least as much as I liked Possession - maybe more :)

Elana Johnson said...

Aw, thank you! This makes me smile so wide -- you are so awesome! <3

Jemi Fraser said...

Elana - yay! Glad to help :)

Kathi Oram Peterson said...

What a great idea for a blog tour. Elana is a wonderful writer and such an inspiration to all trying to better their craft. I may have to "surrender" and read the book. Sorry, but I had to do it. :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Kathi - teehee! Glad you did :) Elana is a fabulous writer! And she truly is one of the nicest people in the bloggy-verse :)

klahanie said...

Hi Jemi,
Okay, I surrender to "Surrender". I shall go check it all out :)
This DUDE is now leaving the site....

Jemi Fraser said...

Gary - always nice to have this dude visit! If you like YA & dystopian stories, you'll LOVE it! Great characters :)

Anonymous said...

I hab=ve not read Elana's stuff but I'm aware of them and know she has quite a following. I am reading a self pubbed book right now and wonder why he has not been picked up by a major publisher. Great stuff!

Jemi Fraser said...

Stephen - Elana is a sweetie and an awesome author! Love her stuff. Elana's not self-pubbed, but there are some awesome authors out there!

Leslie S. Rose said...

Loved POSSESSION and I'm salivating for SURRENDER. Popping over to check out the blogfest.

Jemi Fraser said...

Leslie - I know! It was SO hard to wait for Surrender!! :)

TerryLynnJohnson said...

Great review! I read the first one, but haven't gotten to this one yet. I'm even more excited to now!

Books I've recently read that made my heart soar - Eona, Endure, Poison Study, The Assassin and the Desert

Jemi Fraser said...

Terry - thanks! It's SUCH a good book. I'm really looking forward to #3 now!! :) I haven't read any of those yet! Off to add to my list... :)