Sacred Blog Tour: Review & Giveaway

Sacred
Author: Elana K. Arnold
Genre: YA Contemporary/Fantasy
Release Date: November 13, 2012
Publisher: Delacorte Book for Young Readers

Description:

Growing up on Catalina Island, off the California coast, Scarlett Wenderoth has led a fairly isolated life. After her brother dies, her isolation deepens as she withdraws into herself, shutting out her friends and boyfriend. Her parents, shattered by their own sorrow, fail to notice Scarlett's pain and sudden alarming thinness. Scarlett finds pleasure only on her horse, escaping to the heart of the island on long, solitary rides. One day, as she races around a bend, Scarlett is startled by a boy who raises his hand in warning and says one word: "Stop."

The boy—intense, beautiful—is Will Cohen, a newcomer to the island. For reasons he can't or won't explain, he's drawn to Scarlett and feels compelled to keep her safe. To keep her from wasting away. His meddling irritates Scarlett, though she can't deny her attraction to him. As their relationship blossoms into love, Scarlett's body slowly awakens at Will's touch. But just when her grief begins to ebb, she makes a startling discovery about Will, a discovery he's been grappling with himself. A discovery that threatens to force them apart. And if it does, Scarlett fears she will unravel all over again.

Sacred is a beautiful young adult novel full of hope and romance. It follows Scarlett Wenderoth as she struggles to contain her grief after the death of her older brother. Scarlett's life has been roughly divided into Before Ronny Died and Since Ronny Died - and the parts that have been happening since his death have been really hard on her. Her parents are consumed with their own grief and trying to keep the family B&B running. Scarlett's only tether to life is her mare, Delilah, and her best friend Lily. Scarlett begins to lose weight at an alarming rate and her parents don't seem to even notice. She feels alone with her only outlet being Delilah. On one of their rides, she meets a mysterious guy named Will - who seems to ease Scarlett's grief and makes her feel safe. Scarlett and Will's relationship grows deeper and she finds herself feeling alive again - until Scarlett discovers that Will is hiding a secret that might bring everything they have to pieces.

This was a fantastic young adult novel that revolves around first love and romance, but also deals with some deep issues such as death, loss, grief, family, self discovery, and trust. The characters are unique and very realistic. I especially liked Scarlett - she was a great lead character with her flaws and obvious issues, but she also showed character growth and the ability to have courage and to move on with life after a devastating loss. Will's character was a perfect fit to go along with Scarlett. He's an interesting and mysterious guy a first, but definitely has layers of his own once we get to know him. The setting was perfect for the novel - the small island of Catalina off the coast of California provided the perfect sense of isolation yet community that the characters needed. The plot was so sad but also filled with hope and romance as we see Scarlett blossom into the young woman she was meant to be. The novel's writing was enchanting and I couldn't put the book down. I was immediately drawn into the lyrical prose and the vivid descriptions. The pace was well done and the plot flowed effortlessly. I'm excited that there will be a sequel released this fall - I can't wait to see what will happen to Scarlett and Will next. Highly recommended for fans of YA fantasy and contemporary fiction.

Coming Fall 2013...

Splendor
Author: Elana K. Arnold
Expected Release Date: November 12, 2013 
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Description:

The passionate romance that began in Sacred concludes in Splendor.

Scarlett loves the touch of her boyfriend, Will. But when he leaves Catalina Island to start college on the East Coast, she wonders whether their passion can survive a long-distance relationship—and whether she can face the home front on her own. Scarlett's senior year should be a breeze, but her parents have recently separated, and her already-wild best friend, Lily, is becoming involved with a dangerous boy named Gunner . . . a boy Scarlett is also attracted to. A boy she doesn't want to be—and shouldn't be—attracted to.

To take her mind off her troubles, Scarlett focuses on caring for her newly pregnant mare and delving deeper into the Kabbalah. Her religious exploration offers a way to stay connected to Will, who is a Kabbalah mystic, and a key to understanding her disturbing dreams about him. But as she gets wrapped up in her mare, her Kabbalah studies, and her conflicting feelings for Will and Gunner, Scarlett misses the warning signs that lead to a heartbreaking loss.  

ELANA K. ARNOLD completed her M.A. in Creative Writing/Fiction at the University of California, Davis. She grew up in Southern California, where she was lucky enough to have her own horse--a gorgeous mare named Rainbow--and a family who let her read as many books as she wanted. She lives in Long Beach, California, with her husband, two children, and a menagerie of animals. She is represented by Rubin Pfeffer of the East/West Literary Agency. Sacred is her debut novel.



LINKS:
Website: http://www.elanakarnold.com/home.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElanaKArnold
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ElanaKArnold
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5772357.Elana_K_Arnold

    

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