As a self-published author, I jumped at the chance to participate in a book blog tour for David Farland's new self-published YA novel, Nightingale. He is an inspiration to all in the self-publishing world, having found immense success in traditional publishing and then by choice switching over to self-publishing. Though I've never read any of his adult science fiction books, I have read and enjoyed a number of his books for children. The premise of this new book sounded fascinating, and combined with his track record, I figured I couldn't loose by agreeing to read and then review his book as part of this blog tour.
I must admit, at the beginning of the book I felt his writing was not as stellar as I had expected from an author of his experience. I was disappointed in the "rough edges" as he fleshed out the high school setting for his main character, Bron Jones. Perhaps this roughness I sensed was because Farland's expertise is in fantastical world building, not the chic-lit setting of a present-day high school. But my focus on these minor weak points quickly faded and moved to the story line as the action and intrigue of Bron's past and powers, (which were unknown to him), pulled me in.
Though the story is set in present day Saint George, Utah, Farland did a superb job of world building. Bron, we learn, is a member of race of people that have co-existed alongside humans since the dawn of time. Farland weaves in the details of this sister race in a natural, believable way, almost to the point of having me look at other people's hands to see if they had the signs of suction cups on their fingers. I could feel the tension Bron was experiencing as he battled with his heredity and propensity for evil while trying to maintain the compassion he'd learned from living as a human for the first sixteen years of his life
As the book drew to a close, Farland had me on the edge of my seat. And when I closed my Nook, after reading the last page, I couldn't help but mull over and over what had just happened and the impossible, yet liberating feeling I had for Bron's situation.
Anytime a book makes me think about it after I close the cover, I consider it a good read.
The multi-award winning novel, Nightingale by best-selling author, David Farland is available in hardback, ebook, and now in a special iPad enhanced version. This young-adult fantasy novel has already been turning heads.
Grand Prize Winner of the Hollywood Book Festival, placed first in all genres, all categories.
Winner of the 2012 International Book Award for Best Young Adult Novel of the Year!
Finalist in the Global Ebook Awards.
"Superb worldbuilding, strong characters, and Dave's characteristic excellent prose. --Brandon Sanderson, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author
"A wonderful tale of a young man trying to find his humanity, even though he's not quite human. One of Farland's very best!"--#1 International Bestseller Kevin J. Anderson
The enhanced version creates an amazing reading experience complete with illustrations from several talented artists and a sample of a soundtrack that coincides with the story. Published byEast India Press a publishing company that takes e-books in a whole new direction with enhanced multimedia--soundtracks, movie clips, author interviews and more. From the site: "East India embraces emerging technologies and new distribution methods, producing every novel in three forms: as an enhanced multimedia experience, as a standard e-book, and as a limited edition hardcover."
Farland has plans for three more books in the series: Dream Assassin, Draghoul, and Shadow Lord.
About the author:
David Farland has written and edited fifty published books. These include novels for adults, young adults, anthologies, middle-grade readers, and picture books. He often teaches writing workshops, and has trained a number of people who went on to become international bestselling authors—people like Brandon Sanderson in fantasy, Brandon Mull in middle-grade fiction, and Stephenie Meyer in young adult fiction.
As part of his dedication to helping other writers, David writes the David Farland’s Daily Kick in the Pants, an email bulletin for writers or those who would be writers. Many authors rave about how it has helped them. Out of devotion, he provides the Daily Kick free. You can register to receive it at http://www.davidfarland.com/.
You can learn more about Dave and his books/writing seminars here:
FB:
http://www.facebook.com/david.farland1
Twitter handle @DavidFarland
Websites:
www.nightingalenovel.com
http://www.davidfarland.com/
Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/83308.David_Farland
Blog Tour Schedule for Nightingale by David Farland 2012
Sept 28- http://www.christydorrity.com/2012/09/nightingale-book-tour.html
Sept 28- http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/2012/09/book-giveaway-nightingale-by-david.html
Oct 1- http://www.stinalindenblatt.com/2012/10/bringing-scenes-to-life-guest-post.html
Oct 3- Donna Weaver- http://weavingataleortwo.blogspot.com/
Oct 4- http://www.rashelleworkman.com/
Oct 9 - http://www.ilikethesebooks.com/
Oct 12-http://www.debbiesinkspectations.blogspot.com/
Oct 16- http://moniquebucheger.blogspot.com/
Oct 17- http://peggyeddleman.blogspot.com/
Oct 18- http://www.dorinewhite.blogspot.com/
Oct 19- http://thebookshelfmuse.blogspot.com/
Oct 23- http://www.karen-hoover.blogspot.com/
Oct 24-http://www.tanyaparkermills.com/
Oct 25- http://davidpowersking.blogspot.com/
Oct 26- http://rachellewrites.blogspot.com/
Oct 29- http://writersally.blogspot.com/
Oct 30- www.franklycreative.blogspot.com
Nov 2- http://1000wrongs.blogspot.com/
Nov 5- http://www.ja-bennett.com/
Nov 5- http://astorybookworld.blogspot.com/
Nov 6- http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/
Nov 7- http://starcrossedbookreviews.blogspot.com/
Nov 14- http://elanajohnson.blogspot.com/
Nov 16- http://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/
Nov 16- http://www.ldswomensbookreview.com/wordpress/
Nov 19- http://christinebryant.blogspot.com/
Nov 20- http://cindybennett.blogspot.com/
Nov 21- http://writersally.blogspot.com/
Nov 26- http://cindymhogan.blogspot.com/
Nov 27-http://www.alicross.com/
Nov 28-http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/
Nov 29- http://fireandicephoto.blogspot.com/
Nov 30- www.blogginboutbooks.com
Dec 3- http://rebeccablevinswrites.blogspot.com/
Dec 7- http://kbrebes.blogspot.com/
Dec 14 - author@jlloydmorgan.com
Thanks for the great review. I felt the same way about that other race--interesting!
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