Welcome to our stop on the FROM GODS blog tour. From Gods is the 1st installment in Mary Ting's newest YA series. Mary Ting you might know for her Crossroads Saga and that hottie Angel Michael we all love. Mary recently also published her first New Adult book called SOMETHING GREAT under her pen name M. Clarke, which was excellent. Here at OUaT, we have been a fan of Mary since the beginning and will continue to be.
Book #1
Author: Mary Ting
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Paranormal/Mythology
Released: October 9th 2013
Review Source: Author
Did you just see a flash of lightning across the sky on a clear sunny day? It’s not from Mother Nature. It is most likely from Mason Grand, swoon-worthy demigod, one of Zeus’s descendants.
Skylar Rome is supposed to be having the best summer ever before she heads off to college. Little did she know, her whole life was about to change while visiting her cousin. Nearly drowning at the beach due to unknown forces, one of the Grand brothers she’d just met, Mason, saves her life. Cool, collected, mysterious, and dangerously good-looking, Skylar is drawn to him from the start. Though she knows he is the type of guy good girls stayed away from, it seems he is always saving her life, and the attraction was inevitable.
Upon meeting the brothers, strange things begin to happen. When she accidentally kills one of the brothers, it throws her life into turmoil, as they search to find the answers. Implausibly, she gets caught up in a world of the descendants of ancient gods, all who have super powers. Not only is her discovery difficult to accept, evil beings are after her. Running out of time and running for her life, she must unravel a mystery. What do they want from her? Forced into a battle set into motion long before she was born, will she find the answers, or will she die trying?
At a Glance:
From Gods is a modern take in Greek mythology, gods and their offsprings. Skylar is about to start her freshman year at college but before that she stays with her cousin and meets a group of really hot guys that come into the dinner that they are working in for a few weeks. One of these guys happens to be a young cop or so Skylar thinks is the same cop to be told by the guy that he isn't. This meeting if you call it that sets into motion events that will shed to light a truth that had been kept secret. Will an Oracle's prophecy stay true to what she sees? Or will those affected change what is doomed to happen.
Cover:
For an indie/self published book cover From Gods does stand out above others in its category. I liked how they infused the woods in the back with the lighting that has its reference in the story.
Action:
In the beginning stages of the story it's not so much about action as to the mystery that takes place that causes some thrills. You are figuring things out alongside Skylar and finally when things come to light the action takes center stage throughout the rest of the novel.
Romance:
Hmm, was their romance? Throughout the book it was more like desire and curiosity for me. When it finally became romance I felt it was a little bit rushed but definitely intense it was. The kind that would cause static electricity!
Heroine:
Skylar can sort of claim this title but I wanted more from her. I felt she thought to much instead of listening to her heart and truly becoming a hero. Truth be told I'm still a little on the fence with Skylar, I'm hoping in the sequel she will win me over finally and get me on Team Skylar plus I'm excited to know more about her family history.
Hero:
Without a doubt Mason, yes he is a descendant from a god and yes he is hot but that doesn't rule his actions and he went against walls he formed to protect himself and his family because he saw a need to save the one that might be the end to all of his kind. He used his heart and it me that's a hero.
Somethings I loved:
Greek mythology! It's high up on my list of favorites. I will read anything involving the Gods and the mythology surrounding them. I also loved the Olympus Mary created in From Gods it was very easy to picture and basque in its beauty.
Somethings I disliked:
Yes here comes a little negative news and I just struggled a little with the pace at times and this is probably only going to affect me and those who got to read an advance copy, the font was too large and I could not change it and this cause distractions and even loss of my place on the page. But I asked that you ignore that comment and read From Gods, Mary Ting is a fantastic writer. I just prefer to read eBooks in a really small font so again this is just a personal preference of mines and really shouldn't affect others when they read the final edition of From Gods.
Cliffhanger:
Oh yea and a big one. Mary Ting sure knew how to play the cards on the table with the cliffhanger she produced. Leaves you needing to know what happened next after that ending, seriouly that was crazy-good. Mary I hope your busy working on the sequel because you just can't leave your fans hanging like that.
Would I recommend it:
Yes I would and I would also say to add Mary Ting to your reading list. I personally have enjoyed reading every single one of her books to date.
From Gods Teaser
“Mason, Mason, Mason,” Skylar panicked.
“I know. Skylar, hold on tight. I’m going to brake.”
“But…but there are cars behind us.”
“We have no choice. Don’t worry. I got this.” Pushing down on the brake pedal forcefully, the car hydroplaned to the right. “Hold on,” Mason yelled. Skylar gripped the first thing she could place her hand on tightly. The water from the road jetted up into the air like a water show, but the car kept gliding sideways, until finally it spun a full circle and stopped. With no time to waste, Mason turned the car toward the right and accelerated, hoping to dodge what was coming toward them.
Out of nowhere, a long piece of ice, taking the form of a spear-like shape, darted through the trucks’ tires and punctured some of them. More ice spears came soaring out of the rain, but this time, ten or more sphere like ice balls followed, denting the sides of the trucks, and one went through a windshield. With flat tires, the trucks now glided as if on ice, maneuvering from side to side.
“Did you do that?” Skylar asked excitedly.
“No…must be Poseidon’s kids. Where the hell are they?” Mason spread his right arm in front of Skylar, as if to protect her. “Bend down, Sky.”
One of the trucks hit another and swirled, hitting the other adjacent to it. The crash caused the trucks to flip and tumble, heading straight for Mason’s car. With a look of shock, Skylar held her breath. With no time to move, think, or get out of the car, she closed her eyes and prepared for the crash.
Just seconds before the impact, Mason’s car flew up into the air, over the trucks. Somehow, magically, the water created a liquid bridge, guiding the car safely over, and then it thumped hard on the ground on the other side. Without looking back, Mason sped away as the sound of screeching brakes and metal impacting on metal blasted behind them.
About the Author:
Mary Ting resides in Southern California with her husband and two children. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry. Writing her first novel, Crossroads Saga, happened by chance. It was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother, and inspired by a dream she once had as a young girl. When she started reading new adult novels, she fell in love with the genre. It was the reason she had to write one-Something Great. Why the pen name, M Clarke? She tours with Magic Johnson Foundation to promote literacy and her children's chapter book-No Bullies Allowed.
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Thank you so much!!!
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