Book Review: The Number by Sheenah Freitas

Today is my stop on this fantastic tour for a review on The Number by Sheenah Freitas. Check out my 5 book review and the giveaway at the bottom.

Title: The Number
Series: Zincian Legend #2
Author: Sheenah Freitas
Publisher: Paper Crane Books
Release Date: 13th March 2012
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Format: eBook
Source: Author for an honest review during the blog tour - Thank you!

Kaia disappeared for five years. Now she's back and her planet is on the brink of war.

The new "Numbers" program, created by the Tueors' leader, tracks and isolates demigods. Kaia's friend, Catrina, refuses to take part, and that makes her the most dangerous Number of all.

It's Kaia's duty to gather and protect the treasures of the gods. But neither the treasures nor Catrina are what they appear to be.

As the day a dire prophesy foresees draws near, will Kaia reverse the gears of fate, or will everything she's ever loved be burned away by the flames of war?

My Review

** Please note my review may contain some spoilers for The Chosen, book 1. **

I absolutely loved this book and had to start it not long after finishing The Chosen. The ending of The Chosen left me wanting more and to find out what actually happened to Kaia. Ms Freitas writing style was fantastic and The Number was certainly another addicting read. Full of intrigue and mystery, I just had to keep turning the pages to find out what happened to Kaia, Catrina, Reeze and Derek.

The Number continues the story and adventure five years after the end of The Chosen. The group have been in hiding, waiting for Kaia to become ready to start her search again and find the remaining treasures of the Gods. After Kaia finds Catrina they embark on their journey once again.

Searching for their next item, they encounter a village of Elves hidden in the forest. It is Kaia’s next challenge to grow her strength and magic with the Elves to help find the treasures and protect herself against danger. Kaia’s magic is growing, but every time she uses it, exhaustion and severe headaches envelope her. What does this mean? Is Kaia not meant to use her magic, but then what is the point of being the Chosen if not to use the gifts of the Gods?

A bazaar discovery has been made, some of the treasures are not as they seem. The Gods are in uproar and a war is brewing between the Gods and Tueor’s. A numbers program has been created to keep track of all demigods and Catrina is the most dangerous of them all. She is now in danger of being captured and killed. Can they outrun the Tueors and find all the missing treasures to set the prophecy in motion?

Kaia finally discovers some answers that have been plaguing her for five years, but she is still struggling to know whom to trust. Is Reeze really trustworthy? Will the prophecy really save the world and stop the evil? Will there be romance with Reeze or will Shawn (her capturer) be able to love her and not kill her?

As with The Chosen, The Number is completely full of adventure, intrigue, mystery, magic, paranormal creatures and fabulous world building like no other. The unique premise of this series is fabulous and I certainly hope there will be more to come. I want to read more adventures of these characters and watch as they grow into the prophecy and perhaps a romance or two.

5 FANTASTIC FANTASY BOOKS - LOVED IT!

Book #1 in the series: The Chosen

You can read my review of The Chosen HERE!

About the Author

A neek at heart, Sheenah Freitas has a love for the whimsical and magical. She looks to animated Disney movies and Studio Ghibli films for inspiration because of the innovative twists on fairytales, strong story structures, and character studies. When not writing, you might find her in a forest where she's yet to find any enchanted castles.

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Giveaway

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GUEST POST: Tales from Frewyn by Michelle Franklin

I love this series from Michelle Franklin and have read and reviewed this early last year, but wanted to participate in this awesome tour. Please find below my part in a read-a-long, this is part 3. Plus there is a fantastic giveaway at the bottom too!

How Bryeison Broke the Latrine

Part Three

All were sworn in, all saluted, and after the commander roared his first orders, he took to assigning Draeden and Bryeison the remainder of their new regiments. They were not only to lead as captains, but they must now also train recruits themselves, and though Bryeison had little doubts as to gaining the obedience of his men, Draeden had his uncertainties. Would they dissent, would they take to his style of fighting, would they refuse to obey him due to his being prince were all questions that accompanied him as he danced from the lines over to the broken latrine.

"I only heard Suilli shouting a few minutes ago," he told Bryeison. "Fortunately, I had fallen asleep in my uniform, otherwise I should have been late on my first day as a First Captain, and that would not have shown me very worthy. Why didn't you come to wake me? And what happened to the latrine? It was very well last night. Did you use it this morning?"

Bryeison half smiled, and his eyes twinkled. "I did."

"And did you have something to do with this? Of course you did, otherwise you should not be grinning so. How long were you in there?"

"About five minutes."

"And you managed to do that in such a short time?" Draeden looked unconvinced. "You cannot have had to go that terribly."

"It required more force than usual."

"Well, that's what comes from not eating enough fresh fruits. I know all your love is for vegetables and meats, but a good bit of milk in your diet will help regulate you."

Bryeison could not help laughing.

"Well," Draeden huffed, "that is the end of our nice latrine. Now I shall have to walk all the way to the theatre."

"You could go in the hunting grounds."

"And have someone mistake my business for fewmets? I don't want to find a hunting hound at my bunk and wake up to it gnawing on my leg." He glanced charily at Bryeison. "You did wash your hands, I hope."

Bryeison shrugged and smiled to himself, considering how had cleansed himself on MacMillian's tabard whilst carrying him to the cleric.

While they were waiting for all the men in their new regiments to be assigned and collected, they went to the tower by way of the parapets at a casual pace, but once they came to the peristyle, Draeden began to hasten and hop about.

"I do hope Langliegh can be put to for fixing our small latrine soon," he said hastily, breaking into a trot. "Now whenever I shall have to go in the middle of the night, I will have to dance all the way to the tower. I loathe being made to mount those steps when I have to go, and it is so abominably cold, especially in winter. The draft from the bottom is insufferable. I shiver unmercifully every time I sit down- and don't tell me to stand up while doing that."

Bryeison rumbled with mirth. "You could appeal to have a furnace installed in the collection chamber."

"That is true, but the stench of roasting filth should molder me. It is bad enough in the summer. I know my father has all the latrines and chambers cleaned thoroughly once a day, but really-" Draeden opened the latrine tower door and groaned. "Bryeison," he cried, lamenting over the endless staircase before him, "why did you have to break our lovely latrine?" He mounted the stair, pining with every stile, but all his complaints ceased and gave way to sighs of relief once he was beyond the chamber door. A few moments passed, and Draeden emerged from the latrine tower with a most satisfied countenance. "Perhaps we should appeal for a furnace," he mused, his features rapt in euphoric bliss. "My poor bottom was shivering, and my virility most certainly began to recede. I should have frozen if it were in any colder in there. Perhaps my father will concede to have a coal range installed if only to ensure the Brennin line has an heir. I shall be very sad if I should shrivel before I have any occasion to use my inheritance."

Bryeison laughed and shook his head and walked with Draeden back toward the training yard.

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Follow along the read-along!

June 4 -- Part One @ Moonlight Gleam's Bookshelf

June 6 -- Part Two @ JAustenwannabe Presents

June 9 -- Part Three @ Turner's Antics

June 16 -- Part Four @ Evolved World

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Title: Tales from Frewyn
Series: Volume 1
Author: Michelle Franklin
Publisher: Red Willow Press
Release Date: May 2011
Genre: Epic Fantasy Romance

The Haanta Series is the longest, ongoing, online romantic fantasy series. Thousands of readers visit the world of the Two Continents to enjoy the daily short stories featuring all their favorite characters from the Haanta Series novels. In between the business of the books, the commander, Rautu, Otenohi, Unghaahi, Leraa, Kai Linaa and Alasdair enjoy some time together in Diras Castle, but as the stories portray, mischief lies in every corner of the keep where spiders, chocolate pies, petulant giants and grouchy cooks abound.

About the Author

Goodreads

Michelle Franklin is a small woman of moderate consequence who writes many, many books about giants, romance, and chocolate.

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Giveaway

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PROMO: Divergent Paths by Holly Barbo - BLOG TOUR

I am sharing with you all today a science fiction fantasy, Divergent Paths by Holly Barbo, check out the excerpt. Plus a giveaway at the bottom!

Title: Divergent Paths
Series: Sage Seed Chronices #2
Author: Holly Barbo
Publisher: Paper Crane Books
Release Date: 28th August 2012
Genre: Science Fiction Fantasy

A virulent disease sweeps through the Sawblen Province. The source is unknown. As hundreds fall victim, the healers race to contain it and find a cure before it engulfs the realm, but a would-be healer complicates the situation by concocting dangerous drugs.

While the officials are distracted, a counterfeiter takes advantage of the events. Credentials and money are faked, putting several lives in peril and resulting in deaths.

The Great One's council and sage population hurry to track down the sources of the trouble and right the multiple crises before anyone else falls prey to the events. Rare natives of the planet have important information to impart if the sages can decipher their cryptic message.

~ Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble ~ The Book Depository ~ iTunes ~

Excerpt

Upon Ree finishing her lunch, she stood up and took her dishes to the kitchen. "Leef and I left after that. The guild masters had their meeting the next day. I parted company with Leef just after we crossed the bridge into Sawblen. He continued on to Yerra. I turned northwest following the river. I passed a homestead with a shop, a couple of hours from the bridge. Something made me very uncomfortable and I very much wanted to be away from there. Creepy feeling. It bothered me so much that I couldn't isolate what was disturbing me. It frustrated me a whole lot. I talked it over with Eclaire and Regal, but I couldn't do anything about it. Finally, I got into my bed roll and watched both moons rise and fell asleep. That was last night. I didn't remember the . . . remarkable . . . dream, until I was almost at your garden."

Catri had warmed up a couple of cups. She motioned to Ree to make herself comfortable and poured the steaming, aromatic tea into them. She sat down with Ree and leaned back. "So when I stepped outside and saw you frozen at the approach to my garden, you were remembering."

Ree took a sip and smiled at Catri. "Great tea blend." She closed her eyes and started her narrative that way. "Yes. I think Raow curled up next to me as I fell asleep and started to dream. Raow was there. He seemed to be guiding the course of what was happening and I was inside the dream with him, as a young Lyrix." She took another sip and held the cup in both hands as she met Catri's eyes. "At first he was showing me how to melt into the shadows and move like a Lyrix. It was a unique and marvellous experience. Fun. He gave me a wink and said, 'Follow me.' We stepped into a shadow. When we emerged we were on Launch Hill, in the spring sunshine and watched the Ancients' survey teams disembark on the Sawblen Plain."

Catri's eyes were large, but she made no sound.

Ree took another sip. "He talked of a tragedy that had diminished the Lyrix population and how the psychics among the Ancients' teams had saved our world. He got up and I followed him behind a rock. On the other side of the rock it was night time and we were here, watching you coming out of your front door and walking over to talk to Zephyr, who was sitting atop one of your henge posts."

Catri gasped. "I didn't sense you there."

Ree shook her head. "I'm not sure how to say this. We were here, yet we weren't. It was inside a dream, remember?

"I followed him around a tree. The other side of the tree became grassy dunes and we were back at the homestead, the one that bothered me. Raow suggested that I touch the buildings. I took my paw and did so. I was able to clear up the reason the place disturbed me. The man who lives there is controlled by greed. He was doing something. I couldn't tell what it was, but he hadn't the slightest interest on how his actions could hurt others. It was a hard, cold feeling. Though I couldn't tell any more, Raow was pleased that I could tell that much."

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About the Author

Courtesy of Goodreads

Holly Barbo's world is shaped by her love of her family, the beauty of the natural world in Northwest Washington State and an irrepressible creative drive.

Living where the scenery is incredible with a rich abundance of wildlife "is so special and soothing that it feels like a quiet kind of magic," according to Barbo. She is drawn to creating stories where there is just a bit of something unworldly, perhaps it is magic or psychic skills. Her stories are mostly in non-urban settings and usually have some focus on nature, building a discordant drama inside the peaceful frame.

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Other books in the series:

The Founders (Sage Seed Chronicles #1)
The Unraveling (Sage Seed Chronicles #3)
The Reweaving (Sage Seed Chronicles #4) - due for release 15th July 2013

Giveaway

Sage Seed Chronicles Series - eBook only
Two (2) handmade charm bookmarks
Open Internationally

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