June 5, 2013

PODs Blog Tour: Review & Giveaway

 Welcome to my stop on the official PODs tour hosted by Spencer Hill Press! Today I have my review of the book and a giveaway being hosted by the publisher - so make sure you scroll to the bottom to enter!


PODs
Author: Michelle K. Pickett
Genre: YA Dystopian
Release Date: June 4, 2013
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Pages: 288
ISBN: 1937053288

Buy Links:  Amazon/Barnes and Noble/Books-A-Million/Book Depository

Description:

Seventeen-year-old Eva is a chosen one. Chosen to live, while others meet a swift and painful death from an incurable virus so lethal, a person is dead within days of symptoms emerging. In the POD system, a series of underground habitats built by the government, she waits with the other chosen for the deadly virus to claim those above. Separated from family and friends, it's in the PODs she meets David. And while true love might not conquer all, it's a balm for the broken soul.

After a year, scientists believe the population has died, and without living hosts, so has the virus. That's the theory, anyway. But when the PODs are opened, survivors find the surface holds a vicious secret. The virus mutated, infecting those left top-side and creating... monsters.

Eva and David hide from the infected in the abandoned PODs. Together they try to build a life--a new beginning. But the infected follow and are relentless in their attacks. Leaving Eva and David to fight for survival, and pray for a cure.
 





PODs is a young adult dystopian novel that details a world where a virus is running rampant and is expected to kill most of the population. In preparation for this event, the U.S. government has built a series of underground bunkers called PODs. The PODs will house all essential people - government officials, military, physicians, etc. along with 50,000 residents. The government holds a raffle to choose the people who will live in the PODs for a year, or until the virus has ran its course. Our main character, Eva, is one of the residents chosen to live in a POD. After living underground for a year with 9 fellow POD-mates, Eva and her friends emerge to the surface, where scientists believe the virus has died out. What they find when the PODs are opened is not deserted lands, but a deadly secret: The virus has mutated and changed the people left into monsters. Eva and her POD-mate David hid in a deserted POD to escape the infected people and they decide to attempt a new life there. Will they be able to hide from the infected? What will happen if they are found?

This was a really intriguing concept for a book and I really enjoyed reading about the dystopian world that the author created. It's not too hard to envision a virus epidemic wiping out the majority of the human population, so it was easy to believe that the story could actually happen. The plot was kind of slow at the beginning, detailing minor events in the lives of Eva and her POD-mates. But once the action started, it didn't let up until the end. It was a creepy and terrifying twist when the PODs were unsealed and they found the infected left over from the virus. I liked Eva as a main character, but I found her a bit boring at times. She was a believable and likeable leading lady and I could easily identify with her from the beginning. The book is told in almost a journal entry fashion - each chapter is divided into segments that are dated, like a journal. There was a good flow to the story along with a fast pace - again, that's when the action actually started. The beginning was a bit boring and slow, but it provided good background on the events and the characters. There was a mix of genres throughout the book including horror, dystopia, action, science fiction, adventure, and even some romance. It definitely weaved the varying genres together into a unique book that fans of different types of literature will enjoy. Definitely recommended for those who like YA dystopian fiction and science fiction stories.


I'm a wife, mother, author, reader, although not always in that order. I've been an avid reader since a young child. I began writing for personal enjoyment in college, where I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in accounting. Why I chose a degree that didn't encourage creativity is a mystery to me.I'm addicted to Reese's peanut butter cups and eat way too many while I write. I have a weird obsession with hoodies and can't write without wearing one. I hate to cook, but love to watch cooking shows.

I'm an unabashed romantic and love swoon-worthy happy endings that give me butterflies for days.

Born and raised in Flint, Michigan, I now reside in a small community outside Houston, Texas with my incredibly supportive, not to mention gorgeous, husband, three amazing school-aged children, a 125-pound lap dog, and a cat that thinks she's queen.

I write adult and young adult Sci/Fi, urban fantasy and paranormal romances.

I love to hear from readers and other authors, so drop me a note and say "Hi!"(Taken from Goodreads)



Author Links:
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2 comments:

  1. This sounds promising. I've noticed lately that the beginning of books has been slower. Which for those who DNF, I've seen them a lot more frequently. Luckily, I don't DNF. I would hate to miss out on good books just because they start off slow. Must persevere!

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  2. I've had this one on my TBR list since I first heard of it months before it released, but I haven't seen reviews on many blogs. Glad to see you enjoyed it, from your review I think I will too :)

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