Blog Tour: Icons by Margaret Stohl Review + Giveaway

Welcome to our stop on the ICONS blog tour for the awesome author we know as Margaret Stohl. Margaret Stohl is the co-author of the NYT best seller Beautiful Creatures series that was adapted into a motion picture. This is Margaret's debut novel as a solo author. The blog tour is hosted by Mundie Moms. the full schedule is HERE. 

Margaret Stohl is the New York Times, PW, USA Today, LA Times and Internationally bestselling co-author of the BEAUTIFUL CREATURES NOVELS (Fall 2009-2012) and author of THE ICONS SERIES (Spring, 2013.) You can read a more in-depth biography on Margaret here. 

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Icons
Icons #1
Author: Margaret Stohl
Reading Level: YA
Genre: Science Fiction/Aliens/Dystopian
Release Date: May 7th 2013
Review Source: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Available: Amazon • Barnes & Noble

Summary: Your heart beats only with their permission.

Everything changed on The Day. The day the windows shattered. The day the power stopped. The day Dol's family dropped dead. The day Earth lost a war it didn't know it was fighting.

Since then, Dol has lived a simple life in the countryside -- safe from the shadow of the Icon and its terrifying power. Hiding from the one truth she can't avoid.

She's different. She survived. Why?

When Dol and her best friend, Ro, are captured and taken to the Embassy, off the coast of the sprawling metropolis once known as the City of Angels, they find only more questions. While Ro and fellow hostage Tima rage against their captors, Dol finds herself drawn to Lucas, the Ambassador's privileged son. But the four teens are more alike than they might think, and the timing of their meeting isn't a coincidence. It's a conspiracy.

Within the Icon's reach, Dol, Ro, Tima, and Lucas discover that their uncontrollable emotions -- which they've always thought to be their greatest weaknesses -- may actually be their greatest strengths.

Bestselling author Margaret Stohl delivers the first book in a heart-pounding series set in a haunting new world where four teens must piece together the mysteries of their pasts -- in order to save the future.

First off this book cover is bad-ass. If you are a dystopian lover like I am, this cover will immediately capture your attention. It's a book that even if you didn't have a clue who the author is (which is impossible) you want to buy and read asap. Icons will grab anyone who sees it on bookshelves in book stores. 

When I first heard that Margaret was branching out and writing her first debut novel as a solo author, I was sold. We have all grown to love Margaret and Kami not just because of the Beautiful Creatures series they penned together but also because they are a lovely as people. These two ladies are a hoot anytime you get them together at a book signing. If they are ever in your neck of the woods, do not miss the chance at meeting them. FYI Kami Garcia will also have her first debut as a solo author with her new book coming out in October 2013 called Unbreakable.

Icons is definitely an original story. The novel was filled of action packed scenes that are sure to leave you breathless. The world building of the future state of our world after Aliens have invaded and taken over was flawless. One great thing about Icons was how the story was narrated. You have the first person narrative from the main protagonist Doloris or "Dol". Then in-between chapters you have different reports shared that can be either medical or political pertaining to the story. That was a real bonus for me. It was interesting to read about how they interpreted each report. I'm not a writer but this to me seems like it was a difficult task to create these reports to include with the story, so kudos to Margaret for creating them. 

Icons follows the main protagonist Dol as she embarks in this journey if you call it that with Ro, Lucas and Tima. Don't think this partnership was immediate because its wasn't. Dol and Ro have known each other for some time and have this special bond and intense affection for one another. They are able to connect to each other because they are Icons children. This bond forms between all 4 of them, so they can fight against the Lords and the Icons. 

Who are the Icons and the Lords, well when Dol and Ro were children, the aliens invaded earth and killed billions of people that included Dol's parents. This day is forever referred to as The Day. In the book when they speak of that event, it will say The Day. So this invasion left the Lords in control and showed the humans still alive how easily if they wanted to, they could kill everyone. So the Lords have 13 Icons scattered all over to protect and prevent anyone getting close to the Lords life forces on Earth. No one has ever seen what these Aliens look like. Dol describes them at one point as just this faceless gray thing when she tries to picture them. 

Icons will shares with us how Dol, Ro, Lucas and Tima will join forces and understand how special they each are to one another and to themselves as individuals. In the story each character begins to change and develop traits such as bravery and boldness. I have to say Margaret did a great job with each of the characters. I enjoyed reading about how they are each linked by their markings on their wrists. This connects them and also represents which of the Icons children they are. The colors are very significant also because it tells us what powers they hold. A smaller supporting character that I loved was Doc. He really isn't a person but a computer inside the embassy that monitors security and answers questions you might have. Believe it or not Doc might even have his only secrets hidden away. 

Icons was a real treat to read and let myself get immersed in the story telling. You are left with much to think about that I hope in the sequel will begin to uncover itself. I recommend this book to anyone that loves a good book that has action and romance and bits of mystery. Dystopian and Science Fiction lovers will devour Icons. So what are you waiting for? Go pre-order your copy today!!!

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Thanks to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers each stop on the Icons blog tour will be giving away 2 finished copies of Icons by Margaret Stohl.
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