|| THE BLOOD RACE || a blog tour kickoff party!!

Saturday, July 29, 2017


If you've somehow missed me screaming about this for the past month, my friend Kate is publishing her first novel on August 1st. 

It's the first book in her YA sci-fi trilogy, and it's jam-packed with an action-filled plot, complex characters, and so much more. I was practically squealing while I was reading it, and when I finished, I was left in that classic stupor that only can be caused by finishing a good book. Trust me, guys, you're going to want to read this one.

I am so pumped to be kicking off the blog tour today alongside my dear friend and fairy squad mother, Abbie! Pop on over to her blog, as well as Kate's, for more blog tour kick-off fun. In the meantime, I'm so excited to review The Blood Race, and be sure to stick around for an interview with Kate at the end!

p.s. there may or may not also be a giveaway, if you happen to like free stuff. hint: free stuff is fun.you should stick around until the end of the post.

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As I mentioned above, The Blood Race is a fantastic YA sci-fi novel by the one and only K.A. Emmons. It tells the story of Ion and Hawk, and a world with "anomalies", different dimensions, shapeshifting, and a prophecy that will alter the world as we know it. It's an intense, gripping read that will leave you clamoring to know what's going to happen next.

I'm going to admit right off the bat that I'm not always a fan of sci-fi. It's just not a genre that I tend to connect with quite as easily. But I absolutely adored this book, and here's why- the characters were incredible. They were so complex and multi-faceted and flawed. You could see parts of yourself in each one of them. They weren't perfect, but that was what made you love them. They were real. You could feel Ion's confusion, and relate to Hawk's brokenness. Fin made you want to hug him and cry all at the same time, and Mel kept you guessing around every turn. They were characters that felt like they were standing right in front of you, like they're people in your own life. I loved them.

The plot had so many twists and turns that you never knew what was coming. At first I was a bit confused, trying to wrap my brain around what exactly was happening, but once it clicked, I was absolutely hooked. At several points in the story, I literally had to minimize my screen to the smallest space that I could, just to keep my eyes from accidentally skipping ahead, wanting to know what was going to happen next. The world building was really interesting, and I just loved learning the ins and outs of the dimension. The amount of time that I know Kate had to have spent weaving this world together is mind-blowing. So, so cool.

You hear people talk all the time about how much authors really pour themselves into their work. I could honestly see so much of Kate in The Blood Race, and it was beautiful. She is such a passionate human being, and that passion just shone through her writing. Gah, I loved it so much.

I could ramble about this book for ages, telling you about all of my favorite parts, my favorite lines, and my questions going into the next book. (KATE YOUR CLIFFHANGERS ARE EVIL) But if I went into all that, we'd be here all day, and I would definitely be delving into spoiler land, so I'll just say this- READ THIS BOOK. You won't regret it.

(And because obviously you're dying to read this book now....here's the Amazon links to the ebook and the paperback. You're welcome.)


RATING- ⭑⭑⭑

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While we're having our epic blog tour kickoff party here on the blog today, I thought that I would have the author herself stop by to answer a couple of questions about The Blood Race. Kate, take it away!

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1. What inspired you to write The Blood Race?


I typically get inspired to write a story in a super anticlimactic way. Usually the story just drops into my head and I start writing it down. Other times the title will come to me first, and then the story - as was the case with a contemporary novel I wrote not long ago.


With The Blood Race, the story idea just dawned on me and I knew I had to write it. In other words, it was nothing fancy. ;)


However, the concepts in the story are completely different beasts. I’m a stickler for this idea that we are powerful, gifted, beautiful people - each and every single one of us. We ALL have a superpower - we all have something that only we can give to the world. We all have unlimited potential inside of us, we were born with it. In fact, the only one who can limit us is the person we face in the mirror each day. This hugely inspired me.

2. How long was the process of writing this book?


It took about five months (ish) from the idea’s inception to the finished draft. It was honestly such a fun project that I totally lost track of time. I basically just wrote all summer and probably drank way too much coffee while I did that.


3. I know that you've said that you've been writing for quite a long time. How long did it take you to realize that this would be the book you would want to publish?

Good question. Basically… I thought “this one’s really cool… I should publish it.”

I’ve written five novels (nearly six, since I am almost finished with the second novel in TBR series) and I’ve wanted to publish since the first manuscript I finished. But life happens and things get hectic and blah, blah, blah (you all know how that goes)... and then time goes by, and you kind of have to decide which foot you want to put forward first. I picked this foot on a gut feeling. I have another book that’s kinda similar but way different that I was beginning to march through the publishing process with, but then decided I wanted to go with TBR first and foremost. Looking back, I think this was the right decision. But I’m looking forward to this novel being the first of many releases. I have a few others up my sleeve.


4. Who was your favorite character to write about?

You’re seriously going to make me choose?! Oh man. Things are about to get real, haha. I think I enjoyed Hawk and Ion in equal measure, and they’re definitely two of my favorite characters to write from. They balance each other out really well, they’re both mixed bags; they both have insane abilities, but they each wrestle hardcore with their respective demons and insecurities. I could really relate with Hawk; her fighter personality with a secret, deep-down cinnamon roll center. And Ion with his craving to know who he really is and be who he was created to be. I feel like, as young adults, this is stuff we struggle with every day. We may not be training to save the world in a secret dimension - but isn’t changing this world, and discovering who we really are on our agenda? Heck yeah.


(Fun fact I pretty much pictured Hawk as Kate the entire time I was reading xD)


5. What would you say is the main theme of The Blood Race?


You have a warrior hidden inside of you - the truest, purest, most beautiful version of YOU, not somebody else, but YOU. And that you is powerful.


6. What was the hardest part of writing this book?


Definitely some of the technical aspects, like meetings and explaining the sciencey bits. I never want to write “slower” parts of the book “slower”, if that makes sense. I want the slower parts, the technical, the nuts-and-bolts stuff, to be just as exciting as one of the thrilling scenes. So sometimes I’m the one who needs to slow down, stand back, and wait for some fresh perspective so I can really bring it.


7. Finally, the most important question of all....how much is this series going to break our hearts??


*silence followed by evil laughter*


Kidding, kidding. Sorta. ;)

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When she’s not hermiting away in her colorfully-painted home office writing her next science fiction, passionate story-teller and adventurer Kate Emmons is probably on the road for a surf or hiking trip, listening to vinyls, or going for a power run.

Emmons’ debut novel The Blood Race is the first book in her YA science fiction/fantasy thriller series.

The novel follows main character Ion, a troubled teen with unusual powers which he struggles to keep concealed. Through a series of strange occurrences, and a run-in with Hawk, the beautiful, mysterious, yet savage girl next door, Ion involuntarily stumbles headlong into an extra dimension—a secret reality that’s been hidden since the beginning of time; one that was made especially to protect and train teenagers with the abilities he possesses—”anomalies”. A secret place of intense training, hidden from humanity and created to defeat a rising darkness which a prophecy declares could swallow future earth.

Emmons lives in the often-snowy hills of rugged Vermont with her husband and dog named Rocket.




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DON'T LEAVE YET!!! Enter to win a free ebook copy of The Blood Race! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Are you as excited for this book as I am?! Get ready- the blogosphere is about to explode with The Blood Race. It's going to be fantastic. 

20 comments:

  1. Is this book self-published? It was never stated and I was curious. Also, will it ever be in regular book form, or is it just eBook form?

    This book sounds amazing. Sci-fi isn't usually my thing, but I really want to read this book. Awesome post. I can't wait to see more posts and reviews about this book. <3

    iviewrites.blogspot.com

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    1. Hey Ivie! Yes, this is a self-published novel! I believe that the book will be in hard copy as well, but I'm not positive- as an ARC reader, I was given an eBook, for the sake of simplicity. :)

      I really think that you will enjoy it! It's such a great book. You should enter the giveaway- then you can read it for yourself!

      So glad to have you following along with the blog tour! Thanks for stopping by!

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    2. That's so cool. I'll think about entering the giveaway. I was more-so thinking about buying it since its self-published. I want to try and support more indie authors, since I myself plan to go down that route.

      Thank you for answering my questions! <3

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    3. Sorry, I have one more question. My kindle is linked to my private email. If I use my penname email, will I still be able to get the book on my kindle since the two emails are different, or do I need to enter with my private email? And the email won't be publicized, right? Sorry if this is a silly question. (Well, questions.)

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    4. I love that so much! Supporting indie authors is so great and so important:)

      I honestly don't know the technical details of how it works- you might could forward the email to your private email? The email won't be publicized at all, don't worry.

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  2. YAY KATE!! *sends off confetti and balloons*

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  3. "Fun fact I pretty much pictured Hawk as Kate the entire time I was reading" < I AM SO HONORED :''')

    GRACE ANNE this post made me want to WEEP happy TEARS. <3 I LOVED your review SO much, and I am forever so grateful that you enjoyed the book. Like that literally just means so much.

    SO enjoyed reading this gorgeous, amazing post!! <3333 Can't thank you enough, girl!

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    1. I LITERALLY DID THOUGH LIKE SHE JUST REMINDED ME OF YOU SO SO MUCH!! <3

      Oh my goodness, I AM SO GLAD THAT YOU LIKED IT!! <3 So proud of you, my epic friend.

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  4. I just read Abbiee's post for the tour, and now yours. This book sounds amazing and I seriously want to read it so badly! Thanks for sharing, Grace!

    ~ Pip

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    1. You most definitely should read it! It's fantastic!

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  5. This sounds like such an amazing book!

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  6. AAHHHH I'M SO EXCITED FOR THE RELEASE!!! I got an ARC cope of The Blood Race, and oh, the characters. <3

    Congratulations, Kate!!

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    1. ISN'T IT SO GOOD? Gah, I can't wait for the world to read this!!!

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  7. Congrats, Kate!! I'm so thrilled about your novel. Hopefully I'll get a chance to read it. :) And great post, Grace Anne :D

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    1. You most definitely should read it, and let me know what you think when you do!! :) Thanks so much, Abi!

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  8. Wow this sounds like a good book!! I'll have to check it out!

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