Sophie Reads YA: Discussion

Blog Tour Discussion: Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco (+ giveaway)

09:00

Favourite Stalking Jack The Ripper Fanart

Stalking Jack the Ripper was one of my favourite debuts of 2016, and when I heard about this tour, I jumped at the chance to take part. My post is about fanart, and some of my favourites.

For this series, one of my favourite artists is PhantomRin, some of whose work is here.

I love how Audrey Rose and Thomas look in these artworks.

These are other edits and artwork I've found on tumblr that I really enjoy. All links are given below.

source

source

*bonus HPD fanart*

source

About the Book:

Title: Hunting Prince Dracula

Author: Kerri Maniscalco

Expected publication: September 19th 2017 by Little, Brown & Company

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

In this hotly anticipated sequel to the haunting #1 bestseller Stalking Jack the Ripper, bizarre murders are discovered in the castle of Prince Vlad the Impaler, otherwise known as Dracula. Could it be a copycat killer...or has the depraved prince been brought back to life?

Following the grief and horror of her discovery of Jack the Ripper's true identity, Audrey Rose Wadsworth has no choice but to flee London and its memories. Together with the arrogant yet charming Thomas Cresswell, she journeys to the dark heart of Romania, home to one of Europe's best schools of forensic medicine...and to another notorious killer, Vlad the Impaler, whose thirst for blood became legend.

But her life's dream is soon tainted by blood-soaked discoveries in the halls of the school's forbidding castle, and Audrey Rose is compelled to investigate the strangely familiar murders. What she finds brings all her terrifying fears to life once again.

***

PRAISE FOR HUNTING PRINCE DRACULA

“There are plenty of suspects and red herrings as well as tense escalations….A scenic, twisty mystery.”

―Kirkus Reviews

“Readers of the previous mystery will be thrilled to have more of this likable duo. [A] delightful romp into an 1888 Gothic mystery with a hint of romance.”

―School Library Connection

About Kerri:

Kerri Maniscalco grew up in a semi-haunted house outside NYC where her fascination with gothic settings began. In her spare time she reads everything she can get her hands on, cooks all kinds of food with her family and friends, and drinks entirely too much tea while discussing life’s finer points with her cats.

Her first novel in this series, Stalking Jack the Ripper, debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. It incorporates her love of forensic science and unsolved history.

Tour Schedule:

August 21st ~ Paper Cuts: Hunting Prince Dracula Playlist
August 22nd ~ Literary Legionnaire: Review of Hunting Prince Dracula
August 24th ~ Arctic Books: Hunting Prince Dracula Playlist
August 25th ~ 21st Century Once Upon A Times: A “Drink Your way through SJTR: Tea Edition”
August 28th ~ Hiver Et Café: History of Prince Dracula
August 29th ~ Justice Reads: Review of Hunting Prince Dracula
August 30th ~ Nicole’s Novel Reads: Travelling Etiquette and tips for Victorian Women
August 31st ~ Sophie Reads YA: Favourite Stalking Jack the Ripper Fanart
September 1st ~ LILbooKlovers: Top Ten Quotes from Stalking Jack the Ripper
September 4th ~ One Way or An Author: Hunting Prince Dracula Phone Backgrounds
September 5th ~ A Blinding Book: Hunting Prince Dracula Aesthetic
September 6th ~ Rants & Raves: Review & Snacks
September 7th ~ Rattle the Stars: Hunting Prince Dracula Playlist
September 8th ~ A Gingerly Reviews: Hunting Prince Dracula Review
September 11th ~ The Plot Bunny: Hunting Prince Dracula Trick or Treat Customer Ideas
September 12th ~ Blame it on The Books: Hunting Prince Dracula Review
September 13th ~ The Reader & the Chef : Hunting Prince Dracula’s Menu
September 14th ~ Books, Tv, and More…Oh MY!!: Top Ten Favourite Traits of Audrey & Thomas
September 15th ~ Unquenchable Reads : GIF, GIFS, and more GIFS
September 18th ~ Rattle the Pages : A Glimpse Back in Time: Vlad The Impaler edition
September 19th ~ Beyond the Book Reviews: Character Wears of the 21st Century
September 20th ~ The Heart of a Book Blogger : Hunting Prince Dracula Mood Board

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour

Blog Tour Discussion: The Crown's Game by Evelyn Skye (+ giveaway)

10:00

Russian History In and Out of The Crown's Game

The Crown's Game was one of my favourite debuts of 2016, and when I heard about this tour, I jumped at the chance to take part. My post is about history, and how the book remained true to the reality.

So, if you don't know anything about me, I completed my degree in History and Ancient History last summer, and am currently training to be a history teacher. During my second year at university, I did a module on Imperial Russia, and it was one of my favourites.

One of the Russian Tsars, Alexander I, is the inspiration for the Tsar in The Crown's Game, as is his real life, and fictional, tsarina, Elizabeth. However, that's where the truth and fiction split. The real life couple had two daughters, though both died as children - this means that Pasha and Yuliana are imaginings of Evelyn's, which I think allowed her the opportunity to develop the family, and relationship further.

The relationship between the imperial couple was fraught with infidelity, and Alexander I is well known for having multiple mistresses, and bringing many of them to court. As such his marriage wasn't the best, but they did reconcile towards the ends of their lives. In the book, they both died around the same time as one another. In 1825, Alexander I died of typhus whilst out in the countryside with tsarina Elizabeth. She didn't actually die until 5 months later. Because Alexander wasn't at court when he died, and his body couldn't be laid in state as usual, many believed he was living as a monk in Siberia, sick of the intrigue of court life. We have no way of really knowing if this is true, but I quite like the idea of it all.

Whereas Pasha became Tsar during The Crown's Game, Alexander's younger brothers, Nicholas, became the next Tsar of Imperial Russia. I can't wait to see how Evelyn used the basis of The Crown's Game to develop more of her own spin of Russia, and whether she'll bring in elements of Nicholas' reign.

About the Book:

Title: The Crown's Fate

Author: Evelyn Skye

Expected publication: May 16th, 2016 by Balzer + Bray

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Find it: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kepler's Books

The gorgeous and darkly compelling sequel to The Crown’s Game—perfect for fans of Red Queen and Shadow and Bone.

Magic is growing, shadows are rising, and the throne is at stake…

Russia is on the brink of great change. Pasha’s coronation approaches, and Vika is now the Imperial Enchanter, but the role she once coveted may be more difficult—and dangerous—than she ever expected.

Pasha is grappling with his own problems—his legitimacy is in doubt, the girl he loves loathes him, and he believes his best friend is dead. When a challenger to the throne emerges—and with the magic in Russia growing rapidly—Pasha must do whatever it takes to keep his position and protect his kingdom.

For Nikolai, the ending of the Crown’s Game stung deeply. Although he just managed to escape death, Nikolai remains alone, a shadow hidden in a not-quite-real world of his own creation. But when he’s given a second chance at life—tied to a dark price—Nikolai must decide just how far he’s willing to go to return to the world.

With revolution on the rise, dangerous new magic rearing up, and a tsardom up for the taking, Vika, Nikolai, and Pasha must fight—or face the destruction of not only their world but also themselves.

About Evelyn:

Evelyn Skye is the New York Times bestselling author of THE CROWN’S GAME (out now!) and THE CROWN’S FATE (May 16, 2017). She was once offered a job by the C.I.A., she not-so-secretly wishes she was on “So You Think You Can Dance,” and if you challenge her to a pizza-eating contest, she guarantees she will win. When Evelyn isn’t writing, she can be found chasing her daughter on the playground or sitting on the couch, immersed in a good book and eating way too many cookies.

Author Links: Twitter | Goodreads | Tumblr | Instagram | Facebook

Tour Schedule:

Jan. 9th - Brittany's Book Rambles: The Crown's Fate Review

Jan. 10th- Sarcasm & Lemons: Fancast

Jan. 11th- The YA Book Traveler: History of Russian Crowns

Jan. 12th- Picnic Reads: Character-Based Book Tag

Jan. 13th- Book Nerd Addict: Inspired Tote Design

Jan.16th- Dazzled by Books: Top 5 Reasons I Love The Crown's Game

Jan. 17th- Rants and Raves of a Bibliophile: Characters Matched to Teas

Jan. 18th- The Book Buzz: New Enchanter

Jan. 19th- The Aus. Library: Famous Russian Fairytales

Jan. 20th- My Thoughts Literally: Character Inspired Dessert

Jan. 23rd- Omg Books and More Books: Books that Characters of TCG Would Enjoy

Jan. 24th- It Starts at Midnight: Virtual Tour of Russia

Jan. 25th- Next Page Please!: Character Blog

Jan. 26th- The Book Nut: Playlist

Jan. 27th- Arctic Books: Make-up Looks

Jan. 30th- Two Chicks on Books: Pinterest Recipe Board

Jan. 31th- Lost in Ever After: Typical Date for Nikolai & Vika

Feb. 1st- Alexa Loves Books: Fashion Book Look

Feb. 2nd- Sophie Reads YA: Russian History In and Out of The Crown's Game

Feb. 3rd- 21st Century Once Upon A Times: Drink Your Way Through The Crown's Game

Feb. 6th- The Eater of Books: 10 Reason I'm Excited for TCF

Feb. 7th- A Thousand Words A Million Books: Top 5 Magical Moves in The Crown's Game

Feb. 8th- Seeing Double in Neverland: Fanmade Bookmarks & Swag

Feb. 9th- A Page With A View: YA Fantasy Books set in Russia

Feb. 10th- Dana Square: Recipe from The Crown's Game

Feb. 13th-YA Wednesdays: Favorite Quotes from The Crown's Game

Feb. 14th- Juniper Reads: Sorting Characters into Fandoms

Feb. 15th- Nicole's Novel Reads: Nail Polish Looks

Feb. 16th- The Queen Reads: What the Characters of TCG would take to a Deserted Island

Feb. 17th- A Perfection Called Books: The Crown's Fate Review

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks so much, Brittany's Book Rambles for including me in this tour!

Blog Tour Discussion: Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco (+ giveaway)

Blog Tour Discussion: The Crown's Game by Evelyn Skye (+ giveaway)

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