Review (at last): FIRE & FLOOD by Victoria Scott

Photo courtesy Victoria Scott's Facebook page

It's only three days until Victoria Scott's newest YA novel Fire & Flood is released officially to the masses that still read books. About a month ago, I received an ARC of Fire & Flood from Scholastic and subsequently devoured it in one sitting. I meant to write up a review right away, but somehow--as it often happens--I a) forgot b) got distracted c) procrastinated D) any of the above. All would be appropriate options.

However, I seem to have remembered what I set myself out to do that long while ago. A review!

Fire & Flood is probably the best ARC I've read in a while. The premise--that of a giant multi-terrain race where the contestants fight (often literally) to save a member of their families with genetically engineered companions as their partners--is, put simply, brilliant.

When I first heard about Fire & Flood, I was excited about the mere idea of animal companions with special abilities. Theses companions are called Pandoras, and I want one.

Narrated in first person by Contender (the ones participating in the race) Tella Holloway, the story takes us on a journey through thick jungle and rasping desert. We get a glimpse of a world where technology has come far enough to cure disease and create animals with special powers, but where corruption and evil exists in spades.

Human nature is put under the microscope, and every little flaw is examined side by side with the good. Sometimes flaws overwhelmingly win; sometimes the goodness in a person shines through.

And that, I believe, is the highest praise I, or anyone, can give a book. Sure, the action is great, the characters have dialogue both witty and meaningful, and the plot churns along like at a pace that keeps you guessing. But the feelings. The thought-provoking nature of the content--that is where a book becomes more than just words on a page.

I think that Scott has accomplished that in Fire & Flood. At least as far as I am concerned. So ends the review. If you wish to find out if these thoughts and feelings will affect you, I suggest picking up a copy on February 25. I'd appreciate finding out from others if it is as great a book as I think. Feedback is awesome.

Or so I tell the students I lead in peer review sessions. Sometimes feedback is...unpleasant. And I tell them that too. It's always a good idea to hear both sides of the story, don't y'all agree?

Until next time...

THE COLLECTOR

Dante Walker is flippin’ awesome, and he knows it. His good looks, killer charm, and stellar confidence have made him one of hell’s best—a soul collector. 

His job is simple, weed through humanity and label those round rears with a big red good or bad stamp. Old Saint Nick gets the good guys, and he gets the fun ones. Bag-and-tag. 

Stealing souls is nothing personal. Dante’s an equal opportunity collector and doesn’t want it any other way. But he’ll have to adjust, because Boss Man has given him a new assignment: 

Collect Charlie Cooper’s soul within 10 days. 

Dante doesn’t know why Boss Man wants Charlie, nor does he care.  

This assignment means only one thing to him, and that’s a permanent ticket out of hell. But after Dante meets the quirky, Nerd Alert chick he’s come to collect—he realizes this assignment will test his abilities as a collector, and uncover emotions deeply buried.

And here is the cover!

Meet Victoria Scott

Day two of my Pre-game Show for The Collector is here! Welcome back. I'll be your host for this post. Yes, I am indeed your normal host. I'm in a weird announcer mood today though and y'all will be reaping the benefits. I can sense y'all's enthusiasm. It's wonderful. Onward!

Meet Victoria Scott

She has such a nice face. I like her. 

The Details:
YA author repped by Laurie McLean of the Larsen-Pomada literary agency.
Member of Writer's League of Texas
Member of Team Shiver

Characteristics of Note:
Doesn't drink coffee. *checks the list again* *gasps* Yep. It's true. She doesn't drink coffee and readily admits that on her author page. Well...more for me!! Muahahaha!
Afraid of monkeys. That I can agree with. It's the fingers. I don't like their fingers. No idea why. Moving on...
Carries around water like a human camel. Minus the hump. I wish I was as conscious about my own hydration, but sadly, I do not drink enough H20. 
More interesting facts about the delightful Victoria Scott can be found on her author site. It's a pretty cool place so I recommend going over yonder and seeing what's what.

Find Victoria:
Website
Victoria Scott-Author
The Twitter
@VictoriaScottYA
Facebook
Victoria Scott Author Page

Scott's first book, The Collector (A Dante Walker novel), is set to be published in March of 2013. It features darkly handsome Dante Walker, known as The Collector, and his tale of soul-collecting, bad-boy fun. The cover will be revealed tomorrow (June 1) on a wide-selection of blogs that volunteered to participate in the cover reveal event, including this one.

I hope you'll all show Victoria and Dante some love by Tweeting about the event tomorrow (hashtags #DanteFever #DanteisMine #DanteWalker), taking one of the lovely teaser badges down below and sharing them on your bloggy blog, reblogging about The Collector, or ALL OF THE ABOVE!

Also, her short story Four Houses is available on Barnes & Noble and Amazon. It's going to be the next download on my Nook. And because I'm so nice, I will buy the first three people who comment on this post a copy of the digital book. Just leave your email addresses so I'll know who to send them to! (If you don't want a copy of Four Houses, please let me know so I can give it to the next person who does want it. Thank you!)

This is my favorite...

Until next time...

Pre-gaming THE COLLECTOR

I'm so excited to get to participate in this cover reveal! I found out about it through Twitter and I know it's going to be super fun! Victoria Scott's debut novel gives me chills just looking at the cover...and as soon as you see it you'll understand why. Muahaha!

Dante Walker is a bad boy. Actually, he's the ultimate bad boy. And that's what makes him such a good Collector. A collector of souls, that is.

In preparation for the cover reveal on June 1st, please follow this link to watch the teaser trailer posted by Entangled Teen on the book website. It's...shivery.

And then show back up on Friday to see the cover! I'm going to have the countdown to the publication date on my sidebar as well.

Until next time...(keep hold of your soul!)