Book Review: Fall of Eden by Michele Poague

Fall of Eden takes up right where Heir of Power leaves off, but just when you think you know what direction the story is going to go it takes a huge turn to the left. You don't see it coming and suddenly things are a lot different then they were in the first book of The Healing Crystal Trilogy.

I loved the intrigue and conflict in Fall of Eden. You are left wondering who will align with whom and how will everything turn out when another huge twist is thrown in to the story and gives you enough to wonder what is going to happen to everyone.

As Fall of Eden progresses a lot of changes happen and characters deepen and grow in ways they never would have if not put in certain situations. What situations you ask?? Well you have to read Fall of Eden to find out!

It is interesting to see how all each of the characters learn a lot about who they are inside and what they would do when pushed to the brink, to know who they would trust and who they would easily kill and who they will love. New discoveries about old prejudices change the playing ground and intrigue and revenge and desperation abound.

The triangle between Kairma and Collin and Naturi intensifies as pressure is placed on Kiarma to make a choice but Kitner gets pulled into things and the dynamics change. And in the end it all comes down to who will hold the power of the crystal.

I love the world Michele creates and how she ties things together in the story to bring us to greater understanding of how the past and future link together. The imagery  and characters, she uses brings this world to life.

 I love the depth and growth of all the characters and how easily you can understand each one's motivation for what they do, and not always feel comfortable with their choices. I felt that Fall of Eden was an excellent sequel to Heir of Power and can't wait to find out what happens and how things all fall out in the last installment of the trilogy in Ransom the last book of the series coming out this fall.

Giveaway Info:

For this tour, we have an exciting prize to give away to one of YOU! Michele will pick her favorite blog entry who will in turn receive a $40 gift certificate as well as a signed copy of Fall of Eden!

Grand Prize Giveaway (Please include this information in your posts)

As part of the tour, Michele is generously offering 3 AMAZING giveaways to the blog readers. The first winner will receive signed copies of the entire Healing Crystal trilogy. The second place winner will receive a signed copy of Fall of Eden as well as a $10 gift certificate and the third place winner will receive a signed copy of Fall of Eden.

To enter to win these prizes, simply fill out the Rafflecopter form provided.

• Open from September 8 to October 8.
• Must be 13+ years of age to enter
• US mailing addresses only

Earn entries by doing any/all of the following:

• Leaving a blog post comment
• Liking The Healing Crystal Trilogy on Facebook
• Tweeting about the giveaway (once per day)
• Writing a review of Fall of Eden
• Posting an interview, the book trailer, or a link to the tour.

 
click here to enter  a Rafflecopter giveaway

 
Book description:

Myths are but shadows of a greater truth.

What is the Healing Crystal and who is the rightful heir? Is it a religious object or a powerful weapon? Does it belong to a fallen line of kings or to the colonists of Survin? Should its fate be left in the hands of the young and inexperienced Kairma or to Narvin, the last descendant of a line of kings?

Kairma holds the Crystal and believes she will become the next leader of Survin, while her younger sister Kinter, believes she, not Kairma, is the rightful heir. Narvin believes the Healing Crystal is the Star of Genesis, a powerful relic his ancestors have been seeking for centuries.

Determined to possess the object that will return him to his glory, Narvin is unwavering in his quest to possess it, and Kairma is caught in a fierce race across barren deserts and rugged mountains to a shattering finish where the winner must decide the fate of the world.

Other books in series:

· Heir to Power: http://michelepoague.info/about/

· Ransom: http://michelepoague.info/about-ransom/

Healing Crystal Trilogy Book Trailer

· http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIGSE2hhRrQ

Author Bio:

Born Michele Rae Jeffryes in Newman Grove, Nebraska, Michele Poague has spent most of her life in Colorado, South Dakota and Nevada, and has lived in Denver, Colorado, since 1984. When she is not writing novels, researching a story, traveling, or working at her full time job as a nightclub manager, Michele volunteers her time as an advocate for the Libertarian Party.

For more information and to connect with Michele Poague please visit any or all of the following network links:

· Website:http://michelepoague.com/

· Blog:http://michelepoague.info/

· Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/healingcrystaltrilogy

· Twitter:https://twitter.com/hctscifinovels

· Goodreads:http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4563132.Michele_Poague

· Youtube:http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVaxlO_0vDiblTW5i3-g37A

Tour Page:

· http://thebookbug-hogan.blogspot.com/p/fall-of-eden-tour.html

Purchase Links:

· Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Michele-Poague/e/B004SRRKV8/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1320889696&sr=8-1

· Barnes& Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fall-of-eden-michele-poague/1104253011?ean=9781462013074

Book Review: Heir to Power by Michele Poague

Heir to Power By Michele Poague is the first book in The Healing Crystal Triolgy. It is a YA science fiction novel about lost technology, the morality of power and the creation of religious and political philosophy.

Overview:
The colony of Survin has been hidden for centuries, protecting an ancient religious artifact called the Healing Crystal from men who would steal or destroy it. Kairma, heir to the Crystal, is destined to mate with the handsome Naturi and become the leader of the reclusive colony, but she is too young to realize the peril soon to arrive.

At sixteen, Kairma is too young to realize many things .... Kairma would rather go spelunking with her brother and his best friend than study ancient medicine and religious laws, but the discovery of a tomb containing ancient artifacts leads Kairma to question her religion and the true nature of the Crystal. To further complicate Kairma's ascent, a childhood illness has left her resembling a nearby race of men both hated and feared by the people of Survin. Because of this, Kairma's younger sister Kinter, who is in love with Naturi, believes she is the rightful heir.

Disease and infertility have decimated Survin, but bigotry and religious laws forbid the introduction of new members so things heat up when a traveling archeologist stumbles upon the reclusive colony and introduces a powerful new weapon. Forced into a larger world, the Survinees discover they hold an object of unimaginable power, a power other men covet, a power that might save or forever damn the human race.

My take:
I liked that in Heir to Power, Kairma starts off feeling maybe she really isn't able to live up to everything everyone always expects of her, that becoming the hier to power is more of a burden than anything else. She resents it in many ways. But I loved the character Arc as she grows throughout the story and discovers inside of her strenghts and abilities she never new she possessed in addition to finding some mysterious things that cause her to question what is going when the White Ones begin to show up around her. She also begins to embrace her differences rather than hide from them.

Also the growth Collin , her and her brother's best friend goes through is very fun to be a part of as he realizes the importance of bringing new information into the colony and wants to explore beyond it even though it is forbidden. With the arrival of the stranger, Trep, Collin becomes fascinated with what is beyond their little valley and is determined to leave, and bring back innovations that will help their community to grow and protect themselves more efficiently. He is also the most willing to accept Trep for who he is and sees that it is a good thing that he came, and tries to convice those in the colony not to be threatened by him Trep's presense. He also realizes how much he is willing to fight for what is important to him, and on top of that list is Kairma. He knows that Naturi is expected to be her mate, but he will not let it be easy for Naturi to take her.

Naturi, has always known he would be the one to stand by Kairma when it came time to take a mate. He has trained all his life to take his place in the healing family and lead the community. It is something he has looked forward to all his life, but when Collin leaves the colony with the stranger, he along with Kairma's brother go with him. While gone he discovers there is more to life than what he expected and he begins to see things differently.

I found the changes and discoveries the characters made fascinating, and was drawn in by each new thing they found about themselves and the world around them. I looked forward to what would happen between Naturi and Collin. I loved how Kairma found that she was ok with who she was and that she could be confident too. I really liked how all the little things play in together to create intrigue and mystery, that make me excited about the next book in the trilogy.

Heir to Power was a fast paced page turner. It drew me into a world that was familiar in many ways, but had so many differences that I wanted to see how they overcame them. I liked the interaction between the many different characters. I found the prejudice over simple things the members of the colony display toward things that are different or unfamiliar. There is suspicion and intrigue brought out. It was nice to see how each character handled the different challenges that came and how growth resulted. I am really excited to see what is in store next in the next book, to see who wins Kairma, Collin or Naturi.

Personally, I hope Collin wins Kairma's hand. He is one of my favorite characters. His independent thinking and strength really called to me. I am keeping my fingers crossed and look forward to the next book to see what happens.

Heir to Power is appropriate for all ages. I didn't want the story to end, and look forward to finding out what happens next. If you want to see what all the excitment is about then you need to get your Copy of Heir to Power right away by clicking here. To learn more about Michele Poague and the things she is working on next, click here to go to her website. You will be glad that you didn't miss out on all the fun.

Disclaimer: While at times I receive copies of books to review, my opinions will always be my own.