Blog Tour: First We Were IV by Alexandra Sirowy (+Giveaway)

I am thrilled to be the first stop on the book tour for First We Were IV by Alexandra Sirowy, hosted by Brittany's Book Rambles! I have a special tote design to unveil for you guys today and I hope you will like it!

Don't forget to enter the giveaway!

Genre:	Young Adult, Thriller, Mystery
Publication.Date:	May 16, 2017
Pages:	448
Published By:	Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Website:	Alexandra Sirowy
	First We Were IV on Goodreads
My review copy:	Received in exchange for review consideration + design

Where to get:

A group of friends start a secret society in this out-of-control thriller from the author of The Telling and The Creeping that examines the all-consuming love of lifelong friendship—and what someone is capable of when they’re afraid of losing it.

Izzie loves nothing more than her three best friends, Viv, Graham, and Harry, and the bond the four of them share. And she’s terrified of their friendship falling apart next year when they go off to college. To bind them together, she decides to create that will belong only to them, a special thing that they’ll always share between the four of them. And so they dream up the Order of IV, a secret society devoted to mischief that rights wrongs and pays back debts. At first, it works like a charm—but when the Order of IV’s escapades get recognition beyond their wildest expectations, other people start wanting in. And soon, what started as a game of friendship is spiraling into something dangerous and beyond their control—and before it’s over, they’ll pay the ultimate sacrifice.

(Goodreads)

Never lie. Never tell. Always love each other.

Four seasons, four directions, four chambers of a heart, four elements, and four of us.

I wanted my voice to count. I wanted to believe in what was bigger than me, which is not such a terrible thing, except when others get hurt by what you invent. We were together, tripping with words and laughter, giddy to play mad scientists to our monster.

This is how I didn't notice the beginning of the end.

     First We Were IV by Alexndra Sirowy is a powerful and beautifully written mystery/thriller that (in my opinion) will appeal to fans of Sirowy's previous books (The Creeping, The Telling), as well as novels such as Between The Devil and The Deep Blue Sea, Wink, Poppy, Midnight, or anything by Nova Ren Suma. 

     It's a story about friendship and everything that comes with it - the fear of losing someone and being forgotten, the possibility of it becoming something more, the strength, the weakness, the secrets and bonds, the joy and the sorrows. It starts as something positive, hopeful and playful - with a secret society - the Order of IV - created by four tight-knit friends to commemorate their last year together and leaving a permanent mark on the small town's history, but it quickly spins out of control, turning into something dark and dangerous. Something deadly. 

    I loved Alexandra Sirowy's first book - The Creeping - and even though I never got around to reading The Telling, I knew her books were right up my alley. They're just the perfect blend of creepy and thought-provoking, with plot lines that slowly and steadily get more and more tense with each page tuned. First We Were IV was a really great read. I enjoyed following Izzie's first person's POV and reading the video logs transcripts thrown in every now and then. Those transcripts really helped set the mood, as they told you from the very beginning that something very bad was about to happen and you were about to witness it. 

     At almost 450 pages long, First We Were IV is not a short book. Even then, I found it to be a fairly quick read, thanks to Sirowy's beautifully flowing and haunting writing style. I just love the way this author sets the atmosphere and slowly builds up to a crashing crescendo of an ending. She did it with The Creeping, and I was so excited to see that she did it again in First We Were IV. Additionally, this book is full of memorable quotes and passages that make you pause and think. It's a story that resonated with me for more than one reason (one of them being I too had a tight-knit group of friends growing up and I could relate to everything Izzie was feeling and thinking). 

     Most of all, I loved how dark and creepy this book got towards the end. It was twisty and all kinds of surprising, and it kept me at the edge of my seat till I hit the back cover. Anyone who enjoys a well-written, twisty mystery / thriller, will love First We Were IV. 

About the author:

Alexandra Sirowy is the author of the young adult thrillers THE CREEPING, the Bram Stoker Award® Nominated THE TELLING, and the upcoming FIRST WE WERE IV. Alexandra attended a women's college as an undergrad and received her graduate degree in International Studies. When she isn't writing, she loves to travel, read, eat, and get into mischief. She lives with her husband in Northern California.

1 signed hard cover copy of FIRST WE WERE IV

Fujuifilm instax mini 9 Polaroid camera in smoky white (& film) like the one in the book!

Strand of gold stars

FIRST WE WERE IV swag (temporary tattoos & bookmarks)

Evie Set Designed Tote Bag

a Rafflecopter giveaway

FTC disclaimer: US entires only. No purchase necessary to enter, giveaway items provided by Alexandra Sirowy.

Tour Schedule

Week 1

July 10:  Bookish Lifestyles - Tote Design
July 11:  Brittany's Book Rambles - Guest Post
July 12:  Emily Reads Everything - Review
July 13   Biscotto's Books - Moodboard
July 14:  Forever Lost in Literature - Review

Week 2

July 17:  My Friends Are Fiction - Guest Post
July 18:  Literary Legionnaire - Review
July 19:  The Reader and the Chef - Review
July 20:  Novel Novice - Guest Post
July 21:  Dark Faerie Tales - Interview

Week 3

July 24:  YA and Wine - Review + Guest Post
July 25:  YA Book Central - Spotlight
July 26:  Tales of the Ravenous Reader - Review
July 27:  A Perfection Called Books - Guest Post