Emm Cole is an AMAZING Indie Girl that I have had the pleasure of working with
before. Her book in this event blew me away and I hope you enjoy the review &
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Genre: Publication Date: September 30, 2014 Pages: 415 Published By: Author Website The Short Life of Sparrows on Goodreads Emm Cole Website My review copy: From Author in return for honest review in event
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Synopsis
Beneath the light of a full moon, the Nightbloods and Seers are dancing. They are dancing as they await another Awakening, a dream that defines every witch’s destiny.
It doesn’t matter that the coven is cheering and anticipating her turn into womanhood, because Calli doesn’t want any of it. She doesn’t want to see the face of the hired hand Isaiah, nor does she desire the pursuits of a very determined Nightblood as she runs from a future with the Ordinary help. She knows that regardless of whether she taps into forbidden magic or not, an Awakening is rumored to hold ultimate power over the Seer who dreams it.
While the other Seers her age are given to their parties, their enchantments, and the lust of Nightblood suitors, Calli must choose how she'll endure the worst of her visions. There may be a way to survive her sleep, but she's not sure she can defeat the truth that will find her when she’s wide awake.
Does real love even stand a chance against the darkest of magic?
(Goodreads)Quotes
My coven likes to say we were born enchanted, but that's just pretty speak for dysfunctional with a touch of magic.
"Well," Lil huffs, "if you decide to encourage gentleman callers, next time maybe you could mention that they rid us of something more convenient, like house spiders or that stubborn patch of crabgrass on the backside of the property."
The message is a distinct one. It says, if pigs can disappear, so can you. If only the messenger only knew one thing about me. I've lived my life always being threatened by someone bigger or strongerfor a good spot to sleep, for a piece of bread, for clothing. There was a time when the mere sight of a stick or the cracking sound of a strap of leather would have me crawling to hide under something. Not any more.
He obviously doesn't know what I'm talking about, but it feels comforting to admit it to someone. I've never used magic before. My mother died using it. Lil and Mildred would be irate with me. But my anger trumps any punishment Lil would give me.
My Thoughts
Beautifully Crafted!
This is not my first Emm Cole read. However, it may just be my favourite and this says a lot! My first Emm Cole book was Merminia, and as it name gives away it is about Mermaids, my favourite above all else. The Short Life of Sparrows is more of a witch/wizard read, something I don't pick up often. However, with Emm Cole's name behind it I was sure I would enjoy it, but I was wrong. I didn't like it... I LOVED it!
There was something about the world building in this book that I loved and to be honest this for me was the cement foundation of the book. People (regular people) know of Nightbloods and Seers, but their world is separate and to me this was something great and I'm not sure why I loved the fact so much. So often with this kind of book people either live their lives oblivious to Calli and her people, or they are to be feared/executed by others because of their difference. With this book it was kind of a world within a world, and everyone knew of it but just stayed away from it. The Nightbloods and Seers world itself was beautifully crafted and unique. Even for Calli who has grown up there, this world is different. The pace to go with this building was near perfect. Admittedly it was a little slower to start but Cole set up a lot in the start, and it was well worth it.
Calli wished things were different. She had no desire to deal with the pain that came with her "gift." She also looked at things from the outside. She didn't want to be a Nightbloods toy, and she respected her aunts wishes to not use her magic like the other Seers... Mostly. I liked that Calli was all at the same time okay with this and bitter about it. She was realistic for the most part and I loved the snark and banter that happened when she was around Isaiah. Rowe is almost the same but it seems that it takes her much less to go off on him. With that being said I should clarify that Calli is not a cantankerous character, but she is not one to be polite just for everyone else's sake. I really just enjoyed reading Calli and honestly she's they type of protagonist that I could go back to time and time again.
I thought Isaiah was going to be a love interest right from the get go. He's an outsider and that's just something that is not really accepted. Isaiah isn't exactly normal himself tho. He's a boy that has had a rough past to say the least and going to the Seers village is his way of trying to change his future. He's hardened a little but he also has a good heart and really added something to the story. In a world where magic and secrets rule, Isaiah is a breath of fresh air for Calli and her best friend. He also is a thorn in Rowe's side. Rowe is the Nightblood that seems to be bent on gaining Calli's attentions. He for all purposes seems to be Isaiah's opposite and comes of extremely arrogant. Though mentioning both of these guys may make it sound like there is a love triangle, there isn't. Cole did a phenomenal job twisting both of these guys into the story, while keeping a love triangle out of the question.
This is like no other novel I have read with witches/seers. I was able to submerge myself in it and devour it faster than I had expected. There is nothing generic about this book. From the world to the characters there is so much originality, Emm Cole's writing drew me in, while creating characters that drew me right in. Though this book is placed in the new adult section I think that mature young adults would have no problem picking this up and loving it. I can't recommend this book any stronger to any fan of paranormal romance with a touch of darkness. If you want a read that is different and you can fully submerge yourself into the plot and into the characters don't hesitate to pick up The Short Life of Sparrows.
About the Author
Emm Cole is the author of MERMINIA and KEEPING MERMINIA, a Young Adult Dark Fantasy duology. She is also the author of THE SHORT LIFE OF SPARROWS, a New Adult Gothic Romance.Emm is a self-admitted night owl who likes sweaters, rainy downpours, crazy prints on socks, way too much coffee, high stacks of books, Johnny Cash & The Rolling Stones at hideous decibels, the ocean, and movie marathons. She thinks her favorite books are meant to be highlighted and the corners of pages with sentimental quotes should be worn. Although a declared perfectionist, she has discovered that being able to laugh at the things beyond her control is in fact the ultimate abs workout.Her funky imagination tends to be equal parts whimsically pretty and morbidly sinister. Emm believes that every new story she writes should challenge the limits of her creativity further than the last one, and she plans to keep developing unique magical realms, one book at a time.
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Giveaway
Emm Cole has kindly donated:
1 PB copy of The Short Life of Sparrows (US Only)
1 ecopy of The Short Life of Sparrows (INT)
Good luck!
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