Monday, October 29, 2012

Blog Tour ~ Luminosity by Stephanie Thomas Review + Giveaway!


Welcome to my stop on the Luminosity tour hosted by Itching For Books!
You can follow the full tour HERE
Check out my review and enter the giveaway!


Luminosity by Stephanie Thomas

Release Date: November 13, 2012
Publisher: Entangled
Pages: 296
Genre: YA Fantasy
Source: eARC from publisher
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
Haunt Author: Website | Facebook | Twitter

My name is Beatrice. When I was born, I was blessed with the Sight. I was immediately removed from my parents and enrolled in the Institution. At the age of twelve, I had my first true vision, earning my raven’s wings. And when I turned seventeen, one of my visions came true. Things haven’t been the same since. The Institution depends on me to keep the City safe from our enemy, the Dreamcatchers, but I’m finding it harder to do while keeping a secret from everyone, including my best friend Gabe. It is a secret that could put us all in danger. A secret that could kill me and everyone close to me. But the enemy has been coming to me in my dreams, and I think I’m falling in love with him. He says they’re coming. He says they’re angry. And I think I’ve already helped them win.

Beatrice is one of the best Seers at the Institution. Seers live to serve and protect the Citizens from the Dreamcatchers. All visions are told immediately to the Keeper to be recorded and used to help detect any possible threats. Bea has begun having visions of everyone at the Institution being murdered. The Dreamcatchers are coming and the Keeper will do anything to protect the City. Other Seers start to have visions of a betrayal and Bea must hide the fact that the enemy has been visiting her dreams.

Bea lives a rather lonely life. Seers are taken away at birth as soon as their violet eyes and powers are noticed. They have no idea who their parents were and are raised inside the Institution, rarely even leaving to visit the City and Citizens they are protecting. Bea has a lot of pressure since her visions seem to be the clearest, almost as good as The Keepers. Bea is lucky enough to have her best friend Gabe. She doesn't want to lose him and she is noticing how handsome he is and that she is getting tingly around him. Gabe was an amazing and sweet best friend. Completely there for her to listen, keep her secrets, support her, and you could tell he loved her. He bought her a necklace and brings her treats even though extras such as those are rare to come by. Bea keeps him in the dark for some of the secrets trying to protect him but I thought she should have been honest. Gabe was upset Bea held back but he trusted her completely. He was adorable and wonderful and I loved him!

Then we have the enemy, Echo, who visits Bea in her dreams. I found his character almost completely pointless. He was so mysterious and evasive and I never felt like I got to know a single thing about him. When he enters her dreams all they do is walk to his city Aura. He says he is taking her to visit his home but they never get there. He says he has to save her and she has to save him but never explains anything else. I would have slapped him and demanded some answers! But Bea thinks he is his hot so she kisses him and kind of excuses it away by thinking it is just a dream anyway. I wasn't sure if maybe he was messing with her emotions. At times she thinks he might be but she feels safe with him which made no sense to me because he kept saying his people were coming and are going to kill her people, take her Citizens, and she would have to go with him. Not once did he try to work out another plan or offer to let her friends come with them or explain anything.

Bea hides these visions because once a Dreamcatcher is inside your head you are a danger. The Keeper decides to up security and training. Bea, Gabe, and all the Seers are forced into live action training sessions where instead of shocks they actually shoot each other and many Seers, some very young, die. Bea begins questioning these methods as I would think more of them should have! No one is really allowed to go against the Keeper and it is clear she is hiding things. Bea must figure it out and save the Seers and with Gabe by her side she feels strong but she knows Echo is coming and has no idea what she will do then. I really liked the world and drawn in by the conflict between these people. It was action packed, exciting, and also brutal and very emotional at times. We learned a little of the history of why they are at war with each other but I wished I had a little more info especially about Echo. The ending had a bit of a cliffhanger so it was a little disappointing for me. I am left with lots of questions and very upset at Bea! I need the next book and some answers!


"I just hope she's right. It would suck to lose you." I realize what I've just said and quickly blurt, "Let's go. We'll be late." Gabe doesn't move at first, at least I don't hear his footsteps behind me. When I peek over my shoulder, he just shades his head with a smirk and follower after. "It'd suck to lose you too, Bea."

"Gabe returns the squeeze, and in the next moment he leans forward, closes his eyes and presses his lips against mine in a fierce kiss. I'm paralyzed with the unknown, and instinct urges me to return the kiss, which I do, despite the fact that until this point, I've never once been kissed before. Not in real life."

"Want me to see if Mae can come up? You girls can talk about something girly. Like about how handsome I am."

Rating: 4/5


Stephanie Thomas has been writing ever since she could put letters together to form words. When she was a small child, she would present her mother and father with self-made newspapers filled up with make believe stories and pictures. Her love for writing followed her all throughout her schooling, where she entered and won writing contests of all sorts. Stephanie decided to become an English teacher and completed her B.A. at The Pennsylvania State University. While teaching, she later went on to get her Master’s in writing from The Johns Hopkins University. She completed her very first manuscript during her graduate studies, and by the end of the program, she had completed two more. Stephanie is quick to tell anyone that she’s a born and raised Philadelphian, and her heart will always belong there. She moved to Baltimore with her husband, and they’ve been living there for the last five years with their doggie, Sailor, and their rabbit, Buns (aka “T Sizzle).

~Giveaway~

27 comments:

  1. Oh seers! I haven't read many seers book at all so this could be very original for me. I love the cover also and the characters--Gabe especially--sound wonderful! Great review, chickie!

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  2. I do like the concept of seers! I have a love/hate relationship with cliffhangers so kind of a bummer to hear it didn't totally work for you. LOL Great review!

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  3. This does sound like a pretty interesting story, with a lot going on. Cliffhanger endings that leave tons of questions make me crazy! I'm glad you did like it, though. Great review!

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  4. I'm excited for this book! I love books that have to deal with Seers. It mostly has to do with the idea that if you have this information in front of you, are you really meant to intervene or just know what's supposed to happen?

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  5. This sounds really interesting. I haven't read a lot of books having to do with Seers directly. There have been many books that have them in it, but not about them. I think I would like this. And I am a sucker for cliffhangers!!! I love them!!! It makes the anticipation for the next book awesome!

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  6. It sounds intriguing! I like the ideas behind the story. I liked your review too!

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  7. This sounds really good! And I like your review too.

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  8. Well crap another cliffhanger and you are left angry at Bea. I have this up soon. I really hope I enjoy it despite the issues! Have a great Monday!

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  9. I can see what you mean about Echo seeming a bit pointless... I suspect his main purpose was to sort of set up for the next book...you know so he can lead Bea to Aura or something? :)

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  10. Sounds like a good read that will leave readers "upset" due to the cliff hanger..when does the next book come out?

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  11. The balance between action and emotions sounds well done, even if the cliffie was a bit of disappointment.
    Brandi from Blkosiner’s Book Blog

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  12. I've been curious about this one since I saw the tour banner flying around, and this is the first review I've read. I think the whole Seer thing sounds interesting.

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  13. I love your blog. You have featured some great books and authors. Thank you so much for hosting on your blog. and Good luck to all. :)

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  14. Thanks for the giveaway!. Luminosity is definitely intriguing and I really like the cover. Hopefully it is as good as it looks!

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  15. This sounds really resisting! I love the premise for this book and can't wait to meet Gabe. Awesome review!

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  16. I have been wanting to read this....thanks for the giveaway! :)

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  17. I keep seeing this around and I can not wait to read it! I love that cover it is very eerie ^^

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  18. Sounds like a great read! Thanks for the chance to win

    Jolene A

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  19. I love this cover and the book sounds really good. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  20. I like paranormal books that are heavy on the violence and killing.

    (Nothing is wrong with me, I swear.)

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  21. I haven't heard of this book before, but it sounds good!

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  22. This sounds very interesting! I like the sound of the plot, and the characters seem very interesting as well. I am most excited to meet Gabe! He sounds simply WONDERFUL!! Can't wait to explore this world for myself! Brilliant review!

    ~ Maida @ Literary Love Affair

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  23. The cover art for the book is gorgeous! I can't wait to read this book :)

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  24. Wow... I can't wait to get my hands on this one, the story is intriguing enough. And what a cover!

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