Against All Odds Blog Tour Stop

AGAINST ALL ODDS

By Aliaa El-Nashar

THIS STORY REVOLVES AROUND:

- A BOY called Damien who seems to have it all. He's rich, good-looking and athletic. He's also arrogant, obnoxious and a major player. Damien is one of five children who seem to not get along, until one day Damien meets Alexis and his life is turned inside out.

- A GIRL called Alexis who has trust issues due to her parents. Her best friends mean the world to her, and she refuses to date anyone that doesn't fit completely into her 'Perfect Guy' list.

Thrown together, they are forced to face the inner demons they have hidden for so long.

Look for the author, Aliaa El-Nashar, on Goodreads ~HERE~

For more information on her and her work visit her blog ~HERE~

If you wish to purchase your own copy of Against All Odds:

It is available in Ebook format from Lulu

In paperback format from Books.com

~MY REVIEW OF AGAINST ALL ODDS~

Against All Odds has received three wonderful stars from me! Aliaa El-Nashar is a first time author and has produced a charming young adult story. 

The plot is simple yet it packs a punch. The reader is quickly immersed in the struggles Damien and Alexis face. Some of it is ordinary teen struggles but both characters also have some strong inner demons they are forced to face as well.

The characters are real and relatable. I enjoyed the way they interacted throughout the story. The dialogue makes them seem like any young adult.

This is an aspect of the story I am sure teen readers will find enjoyable as well.

Alexis' character is sweet and has such a great heart. Seeing her grow and overcome some of her insecurities  is a wonderful addition to the story. Damien as well grows as a character. He goes from your typical stuck up jerk to a compassionate young man. 

Together Damien and Alexis support each other and their relationship begins to blossom. I wish we got a little more about them in the story! Aliaa has really created an adorable romance!

It was interesting to see the inner working of Damien's family as well. They are a complicated mess but, seeing them come together and rebuild themselves was another aspect of the story I really liked. 

I am hoping for a followup to this book, so we get the chance to experience more from the supporting characters. 

Aliaa has a good strong writing style, perfect for the audience she is targeting.

It is apparent this is her first book and that it still needs some fine tuning. There are grammar and spelling errors but once you get into the story they are easily forgotten. 

Against All Odds is a great, easy read and I would recommend it for any young adult. If you love Girl meets Boy types of stories this one is definitely for you!

FEATURE FRIDAY! The Dragon Stone Saga

~Kristian Alva~

Author of The Dragon Stone Saga

Kristian Alva was born into a family of writers and teachers. 
She worked as a corporate staff writer and a ghostwriter before publishing her own manuscripts. She now writes young adult and middle-grade fantasy full-time.
Dragon Stones, Alva's first YA fantasy was published in 2010.
The final installment in the Dragon Stones Saga was just released in May 2012.
When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading all genres, especially epic fantasy.
She currently lives in California with her husband and son.

For more about the author and her works:

Please visit her website  ~HERE~

Kristian Alva is also a Goodreads author, add her books to your to be read list!  ~HERE~

She also has a blog where you can follow her ~HERE~

If you wish to contact Kristian Alva for a blog interview or online book tour

You may email her at kristianalva@gmail.com

DRAGON STONES 

Book One of the Dragon Stone Saga

Sequestered deep in the capital, the tyrannical Emperor Vosper weaves a plan to destroy all the dragons. He succeeds in driving them to the very brink of extinction. Only a handful of dragons and riders remain; living in exile in the desert. When young Elias Dorgumir finds a carved dragon stone in the forest, it brings empire soldiers to his doorstep, and puts Elias on the run with a bounty on his head. With some help from his friends, Elias must escape the emperor’s wrath and try to make it to the safety of the dwarf caverns. Elias holds the key to the salvation of the dragon race. Is Elias strong enough to halt the evil that is spreading across the land?

RETURN OF THE DRAGON RIDERS

Book Two of the Dragon Stone Saga

The evil emperor Vosper gathers his troops in the east, poised to
conquer the entire continent. His target is the rebel city of Parthos, a constant thorn in his side, and the last sanctuary of the Dragon Riders.
Besieged from all sides, the remaining Dragon Riders come out of hiding. Forced to fight for their lives, they leave the safety of the desert, traveling across the land to gather intelligence and shore up forgotten alliances. At the center of it all is Elias Dorgumir, the key to an ancient prophesy, and Vosper will do anything to get his hands on him.
Is it too late for the Dragon Riders to save Elias and stop Vosper from destroying the only refuge they have left?

VOSPER'S REVENGE

Book Three of the Dragon Stone Saga

The final book in Kristian Alva's popular "Dragon Stones" trilogy!

As the races of Durn stand on the brink of war, the power-hungry emperor plans his conquest of the entire continent.
The dragon riders are fragmented. They have been scattered across the land; weakened by the discovery of a traitor in their own ranks. Are the riders strong enough to defeat Vosper before he destroys them all?

The Dragon Stone Saga can be purchased:

In Paperback and Kindle format through ~AMAZON~

In E-book format through ~Barnes&Noble~

Please look for Kristian Alva's upcoming series The Chronicles of Tallon 

Book One The Balborite's Curse is due out January 2013!

~WHAT I THOUGHT~

"A Wonderful Fantasy Adventure For Voracious Young Readers"

I was extremely excited when Defiant Press contacted me to review this series. This type of science fiction and fantasy usually isn't given enough attention in the Young Adult world. I have been itching to read a good saga with adventure and mythical creatures.
Overall I have given this series a solid four star rating and Kristian Alva definitely deserves it.
As an author she has a great, imaginative writing style. Her writing is simplistic yet engaging. Any middle grade or young adult lover of sci fi and fantasy will enjoy reading this series. 

Dragon Stones was a definite strong start to the series. All though it was shorter than I would have liked, it set  great groundwork for the next two books in the series. You are introduced to the inner workings of Durn slowly throughout the novel. The plot easily builds on itself and becomes increasingly more interesting as it progresses. Alva has created some memorable characters. Most importantly is the main character Elias. He is a endearing, brave and unabashed by anything that is thrown his way.  
I loved how there are several sides to the story going on at once. It allows you to gain a full understanding of the story without being overloaded with information and details all at the same time. The action is fast paced and full of surprises leading you straight into the second book of the saga.
Return of the Dragon Riders was, in my opinion, the best book of the series. You really become immersed in the people and politics of Durn. The action is even better and Elias' journey is full of intrigue and turns that will keep you fully engaged until the end. Alva introduces you to new characters and the joy of some new dragons as well. Elias' character really comes into his own in this book and it is great to watch him grow and mature. The surprises come when you learn of a traitor in the midst of the riders and the truth behind Elias' father. I don't leave spoilers in my reviews so all I will say is I was so overjoyed with several aspects of this installment in the series, especially the ending! 
Book three, Vosper's Revenge, is an excellent ending to this saga and as expected, another page turner!
There is more action, mystery and magic. The evil Emperor Vosper and his forces are stronger and more wicked than ever and their opposition to the Riders and the land of Durn comes to an action packed conclusion. 
I really enjoyed the strengthening bond between Elias and his dragon, Nydiered. Their story is sweet and warms the heart. The Dragon Riders are definitely my favorite characters in this series.
I do have to point out the very end of the book seemed a bit rushed. I would have enjoyed a more detailed account of the after effect of the war, as well as what happened to the characters. 
However, the book was still a wonderful conclusion to the series and even gives leeway to Alva's upcoming series, Chronicles of Tallin! I look forward to reading more of her work in the future!