Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: Nemesis by Anna Banks

Crushed on by , on October 1, 2016, in Blog Tour, Giveaways, Reviews / 2 Comments

Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: Nemesis by Anna Banks

We are thrilled to be hosting a stop of the blog tour for Nemesis by Anna Banks! On today’s stop we have all the book information, a review, a selection of our favorite quotes, and a tour-wide giveaway! Hope you check it out and if you are interested you can preorder a copy from Books of Wonder and get a free print & bathbomb!

Nemesis by Anna Banks

Category: Young Adult, Fantasy
Publication: October 4th, 2016; Feiwel & Friends
Pages: 368
Formats: eBook, Hardcover
Purchase: Amazon, B&N, iBooks

The princess didn’t expect to fall in love–with her nemesis.

Princess Sepora of Serubel is the last Forger in all the five kingdoms. The spectorium she creates provides energy for all, but now her father has found a way to weaponize it, and his intentions to incite war force her to flee from his grasp. She escapes across enemy lines into the kingdom of Theoria, but her plans to hide are thwarted when she is captured and placed in the young king’s servitude.

Tarik has just taken over rulership of Theoria, and must now face a new plague sweeping through his kingdom and killing his citizens. The last thing he needs is a troublesome servant vying for his attention. But mistress Sepora will not be ignored. When the two finally meet face-to-face, they form an unlikely bond that complicates life in ways neither of them could have imagined.

Sepora’s gift could save Tarik’s kingdom from the Quiet Plague. But should she trust her growing feelings for her nemesis, or should she hide her gifts at all costs?

Review:

[book rating=4.5/5]

I have to be upfront and mention that the first thing that grabbed me was the cover. Even before reading the synopsis, I was intrigued by the silver-faced girl. Also, that title!

The story itself may not be the most original thing out there — tropes galore! — but that didn’t stop me from loving every second of it. Honestly, this is on my list of favorites for 2016. And I’d even go as far to (sort of) compare it to The Wrath and the Dawn in the idea of a girl who falls for a young king with a bad rep. But, Nemesis is better. I was engaged and locked in from the very first page.

There is so much to this story. Really. Two points of view; both are fantastically written and unique in voice. But the world-building!! Astounding. I truly understood this world and how it worked. I swear I could see the kingdoms as I read. And all five kingdoms are unique (and each are explained in the beginning). I can’t even decide where I’d want to live if I had the choice. But I digress.

We begin the book from Sepora’s point of view. She is fleeing her homeland of Serubel to escape her duty/obligations to her father, the king. You see, she is the last known Forger of spectorium and as such is expected to supply the country for trade purposes. There is also a war brewing between Serubel and Theoria (the most scientifically advanced – and smartest – kingdom). To save her people and others, she flees after being locked up by her father. She has no real plan other than to get to Theoria and join the Baseborn class – the poorest members of Theorian society. She is to hide among other Serubelans who are former slaves. But, nothing every goes according to ‘plan.’ Along the way she is scooped up by some unseemly types and thus runs into the new Falcon King, Tarik. Theoria is dealing with the death of Tarik’s father and the plague that caused it. It is taking over their lands. On top of that is the threat of war with Serubel. Sepora realizes she must hide not only her true identity, but also keep quiet her Forging ability. Theoria uses a vast amount of spectorium and since her faked death, her father has stopped trading the element.

And this is where the true fun begins. I absolutely LOVED the banter between the princess in disguise and the new king. It didn’t feel forced or contrived. Their bond is more than believable and I couldn’t help rooting for them to own up to their feelings. I loved Sepora at times, but also felt she was being too secretive. I understood her hesitance in divulging her true identity in the beginning, but once she and Tarik got to know each other, I really thought she’d ease up a bit and maybe give in. Especially after witnessing the horrors of the plague firsthand. I really can’t complain too much, however, because she really shines as an independent female who comes into her own by the end of the story. And Tarik! He is the epitome of what we look for in a man and leader. He’s kind, forgiving, understanding, but forceful when necessary. He actually cares for his people despite the rumors saying otherwise. Together, they could be a force to be reckoned with. They have the makings of world-changing minds if they can only be honest and open with each other. About everything. As they relationship grows, so does the tension between Serubel and Theoria. As the two try to strategize to save both kingdoms’ lives, their feelings for each other grow and both remain torn. With so much going on in this book, the romance should probably be the thing I was worried about the least. But it wasn’t. I just NEEDED them together, no matter the cost.

Oh! I have to mention the mer creatures, the Parani. These are no Ariel types. They are vicious man-eaters and have the reputation of piranhas or sharks. But is it true? The scenes with the Parani were some of my favorite parts of the book. I’d have liked a longer glimpse into their underground world. Maybe next book!

This is a steady-paced story with a beautiful romantic element. I loved the world and hope to see more of it in the next installment. And the ending! Cruel. I need more NOW. If you enjoyed The Wrath and the Dawn, And I Darken, or The Forbidden Wish, I highly recommend Nemesis to you!

Favorite Quotes:

“What could there be in uppity Theoria, among their sophisticated machines and complicated inventions, that is more beautiful than a simple, vibrant gully? For the smartest kingdom among us, they seem to overlook a great deal in the wake of their search for knowledge.

“If one must labor, he thinks to himself, it is better to labor in a kingdom enlightened with knowledge than one darkened with ignorance.

“Bravery comes in all forms, mistress. You are very brave in your own right, jumping from the Half Bridge as you did. But sometimes facing the death of a child makes us all cowards. And perhaps it should.”

“You have taken a bleak existence, a life of duty, and made me eager to wake up to it each and every morning.”

Author Bio: Anna Banks

NYT Bestselling YA author of The Syrena Legacy series: OF POSEIDON (2012), OF TRITON (2013), OF NEPTUNE (2014).

Repped by rockstar Lucy Carson of the Friedrich Agency.

I live with my husband and daughter in the Florida Panhandle. I have a southern accent compared to New Yorkers, and I enjoy food cooked with real fat. I can’t walk in high heels, but I’m very good at holding still in them. If you put chocolate in front of me, you must not have wanted it in the first place.

Favorite Books:

Shatter Me, Cinder, Linger, Shiver, Forever, Pushing the Limits, Unravel Me, Shadow and Bone, Enclave, Divergent, Candor, Graceling, Fire, The Hunger Games Trilogy, The Host, Most of James Patterson, and Janet Evanovich makes me laugh through my nose in an unfeminine sort of way.

Visit Anna’s website, like her on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter.