2012-04-13

Blog Tour: Here


As part of the blog tour for Here, I have my review to share with you for this fantastic book, as well as a special giveaway for a copy of Here!

You can stop by and see the full schedule here, and see what other posts have been a part of the tour!

Here (On the Otherside #1) by Denise Grover Swank
Release Date ~ November 11, 2011
Self-published
ISBN13: 9781466394575
E-book received from author for blog tour review

Goodreads Synopsis:
Sixteen year old Julia Phillips buries herself in guilt after killing her best friend Monica in a car accident. Julia awoke in the hospital with a broken leg, a new talent for drawing and false memories of the accident, in which she dies and Monica lives. The doctors attribute this to her head injury, but no one can explain how a bracelet engraved with her name ended up at the scene of the accident. A bracelet no one has ever seen before.

Classmate Evan Whittaker paid Julia no attention before the accident, let alone after. Now suddenly he’s volunteering to tutor her and offering to drive her home. She can't ignore that his new obsession started after his two-day disappearance last week and that he wears a pendant she’s been drawing for months. When the police show up one night looking for Evan, he begs Julia to run with him, convincing her that Monica is still alive. Julia agrees to go, never guessing where he’s really from.

I wasn't expecting much from Here, which gave me the first impression of (another) paranormal romance, although it did sound like one that would be slightly different. But let me clarify this right here- it's not. Here is totally different from both what I expected, and even from most other books I've read in regards to its blending of genres.
  1. Plot twists & genre blending:

    About halfway through this book EVERYTHING changes and you realize that this book actually has some science fiction aspects to it as well - probably moreso than the paranormal vibe it gives off at first. This completely caught me off guard, and turned the story right around for me, making it an exciting, action-packed read that was hard to put down.
  2. Very interesting characters:
    I enjoyed watching the various characters shift and change as we learn more about them, and I loved that they were all very different characters with their own issues and flaws, making them seem believable and realistic. There's plenty of development that takes place and we really get to see the characters grow in some ways, and I think there's room for even more in the sequel. The way that Julia deals with her grief is understandble, and it's actually heartbreaking to watch things fall apart around her as she just doesn't know how to deal with it. There's something so raw about it, and makes her a great main character for the story.
  3. A great premise:
    A girl who's guilt-ridden by her best friend's death? Sure, that sounds great enough as it is! Especially when you throw in that the most popular guy in school is now obsessed with her, and pretty darn creepy about in some ways. Which I'm thankful that Julia recognizes instead of being totally oblivious and lovesick about it. And then there's that whole plot twist that yanks the rug out from under your feet that I mentioned above, and it just gets even better from there on out. Seriously. Science fiction. I can't say that enough!
Here is one of the most surprising reads I've read this year, and probably ever. It was so different from what I was expecting, and even the synopsis is misleading (although, I think that's intentional so you don't expect the twists). It's great for those who are looking for something different to read, a book where not everything is quite what it seems...


10% Discount / APMA12 Coupon Code / Book Depository



I have one e-book copy that one of you can win of Here! If you're curious at all about this book, and you'd like a chance to win it then good luck and enter here!

Open internationally - it is an e-book copy after all. Normal contest rules apply (on my contest tab on the above menu)

To enter, just answer the question I have below and leave a comment with your answer & contact e-mail address.

Question: Do you prefer sci fi/dystopian/post-apocolyptic books or paranormal?

16 comments:

Christina Kit. said...

I love paranormal but I also love science fiction (light science fiction, not necessarily aliens etc:) What I'd love is a blending of the two like what you just described.

I think I enjoy the eeriness of the paranormal genre and the unpredictability and edginess of science fiction.

What's wonderful is that the characters are well-rounded, which is so very important regardless of how great the plot is. After all, it's the people in the story we care about, and it's how the events affect them that matter. Otherwise the events are meaningless.

I've read nothing but awesome things about Here.

Thanks so much for the giveaway!

ccfioriole at gmail dot com

Denise Grover Swank said...

I'm so glad you enjoyed HERE!!! Thank you for a wonderful review!

geekgirl said...

While I do love paranormal, I've always been a sci-fi girl at heart. Great review! I really want to read this now.

-geekgirl
http://geekgirlsbookblog.blogspot.com
gkgrlbk at gmail dot com

bookworm105 said...

I prefer post-apocalyptic books.
Great review! I want to read it now.
=D

Fairview said...

I like the way you review. Long time follower, first time commenter. Anyway, I like all but if I had to choose, I'd say paranormal, only because sci-fi/dystopic/post apocolyptic sometimes gets too technical in jargon and processes.

Angkarina said...

I think I prefer dystopian & post-apocalyptic books, I always enjoy reading a good book about the world in different settings. I used to read science fiction & paranormal books, like Stephen King.
I guess my taste just changed over time.
Thanks for the review!

angkarina_angkasuwan at hotmail dot com

Lexie said...

I'm really glad you enjoyed this! :D I've been hearing excellent things about it, and I've also been hearing about that twist. I love the idea of something almost switching genres partway through. I'll have to get my hands on a copy once I find my Nook's power cord.

nerdfighterwriter@gmail.com

(just to clarify, this is not for the Here giveaway. :D)

Denise Z said...

I enjoy all of these genres LOL I would have to say my first fav would be UF and really the dystopian a lot of the time has the supernatural things going on as well as the disasters; at least those I have read, which is not many. I love to read paranormal stories - I just like other, it intrigues me and lets my imagination sing. Thank you for participating in the tour and for the awesome giveaway opportunity.

dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

I am more of a paranormal fan. I love it when there is magic, ghosts, time-traveling or whatever else falls under the category. Not that I don't enjoy the other genres, but I love paranormal books.

veronicam46 at hotmail dot com

Jessica Etches said...

I have to admit I love Paranormal.

Misty said...

I don't like one genre more than the others -- it's all about the characters and the ploy. If you can provide realistic characters that I can connect with and a plot that flows properly then I will most likely love the book.
Great review, I'm really looking forward to checking this one out! Thanks for the giveaway :) Misty
misty_mrosko23@hotmail.com

ChristasBooks said...

That's a really tough choice! But I'm going to go with sci-fi/dystopia. I think more of my favourite books come from there.

Melissa @thereaderandthechef said...

I prefer Paranormal books, but I also love dystopian. I guess it's mostly about the storyline rather than the genre, if it's a gripping and hard to let down book, then it doesn't really matter about the genre.

melissa(dot)rob168(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I normally prefer Paranormal however I just started reading some dystopia and sci-fi and I really like those also. I think I would like post apocolyptic books but I haven't read any yet.

Anonymous said...

OOps forgot to list my email it is
rachel at thejeepdiva dot com

franchie15 said...

I've been wanting to read this ever since I saw it on a couple of blogs! The idea of the book sounds really good for me. You know, mysterious guys! Nice review. I'm glad it surprised you. :)

franchie15_nina@yahoo.com

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