TOXIC BLOG TOUR - REVIEW, Q&A, and GIVEAWAY

 

Welcome to The Bookish Babe's stop on the Toxic Blog Tour. Toxic is book two in the Denazen Series by Jus Accardo. You can find the complete tour schedule here. My stop includes a review of Toxic, a fun Q&A with Jus, and a giveaway!

 

When a Six saved Kale's life the night of Sumrun, she warned there would be consequences. A trade-off. Something taken for the life they gained. But Dez never imagined she'd lose the one thing she'd give anything to keep... And as if it's not enough Dez finds her immunity to Kale fading, the Six brought in to help Kale learn to control his killer touch starts drooling on him the moment they meet. Worse than that? Jade can touch Kale. But bimbo Barbie is the least of Dez's problems.

After Dez and Kale got away at Sumrun, her father lost not only his most powerful weapon but an important piece of the Supremacy project. Forced by Denazen to remedy the situation, he poisons Dez and offers her a choice--surrender to Denazen for the cure...or die. Determined to find a solution that doesn't involve being bagged and tagged--or losing someone she loves--Dez keeps the poison a secret. But when a rash of Denazen attacks hit a little too close to home, Dez is convinced there's a traitor among them. Jade.

Sacrifices, broken promises, and secrets. Dez will have to lay it all on the line if there's any hope of proving Jade's guilt before they all end up Residents of Denazen. Or worse, dead...

*This review does not include spoilers for Toxic.**

Toxic, book two in the Denazen Series, begins much the same as book one - with heroine Dez on the verge of pulling off a crazy dangerous stunt. That aspect to the series, the fearlessness, particularly on Dez's part, is what makes it stand apart from the rest.

Amid the action, we have Dez dealing with an uncertain future, and the question of her own sanity. Combine that with a power hunger father who will kill to get what he wants, and a hot, new chick who can touch Kale and live to gloat about it, and you can see why Dez is a little on edge these days. But, the girl always manages to hang tough. I admire that about her.

In all this, we still have Kale, who is adapting well to life on the outside. I really enjoyed his and Dez's interactions at the beginning of Toxic. Their chemistry was smokin' and I could really see myself getting behind what a lot of other readers see in him. What keeps me from truly loving Kale is his personality, or lack thereof. This makes me a big meanie because his naive, unsure personality is well-explained and makes perfect sense. I just prefer my leading men with a ton of personality. Still, though, I do like him. His sense of loyalty and kindness is admirable.

I felt that Toxic got off to a really great start. Kale and Dez are in a great place, the development that forces them to take a step back made sense. I get really antsy, though, when a third character is brought into the fold who, for some reason, has a special connection to one or the other. Then, the odd man (or girl) odd has to sit there and take it, because of the connection. (For example, Kaylee/Nash/Sabine) So in this case, we have Kale and Dez as the couple. Then, Jade comes in and gets in between the two because she can touch Kale without becoming ill, or dying. This is a very logical conflict, and I completely get why it is employed. But, it is one conflict that makes me a little crazy.

Despite my gripe, I did enjoy Toxic. With its crazy, action-packed plot and a heroine who can kick some tail, the Denazen Series is one that many fans of Paranormal Young Adult will enjoy.

 

Favorite Quote:

  "My heart gave a little squeeze. Deep, dark voice. Check. Soulful eyes. Check. Well-muscled arms that could make a girl's legs go rubbery - and a penchanct for the dangerous. Check frigging plus. Could any guy be more perfect?"  (eARC, 4%)


  " 'Okay, stomp the brakes and back the hell up,' I said. 'You're giving my boyfriend a redhead as a gift? That's uncool - not to mention illegal.' "   (eARC, pg 41)


You can purchase Toxic at:
Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Book Depository

 

The Denazen Series

(click on cover for my review)

Q&A with author Jus Accardo

 

Print Books or Ebooks?
Jus: Print. All the way. There’s nothing like holding a physical book in your hands! And as awesome as tech is, the covers never look the same. With some books, you miss out on all that pretty raised foil lettering…

Movies or Television?
Jus: Hmm… A few months ago I would have said movies, but there’s a few things on TV ATM that have my attention. How bout an even mix of the two? :D

Drama or Comedy?
Jus:  Funny drama? :P

Snacks: Salty or Sweet?
Jus:  Sweet!

Book Boys: Broody or Funny?
Jus:  No fair making me pick! I guess if I have to go with one, it’d be broody…

Coffee or Tea?
Jus:  COFFEE!!!! *ahem* Yes. Coffee.

Music: Rock or Country?
Rock

Vampires or Shifters?
Jus:  Shifters. Nothing against vamps, but I’m a sucker for shifters.

 

Favorite Holiday?

Jus:  I think it’s a toss up between Christmas and Thanksgiving, mainly because they’re food/family holidays. I love getting everyone together in the cooler weather to hang by the fire!

 

**Thanks to Jus for taking the time to answer my questions**

 

JUS ACCARDO spent her childhood reading and learning to cook. Determined to follow in her grandfather’s footsteps as a chef, she applied and was accepted to the Culinary Institute of America. At the last minute, she realized her path lay with fiction, not food, and passed on the spot to pursue writing. Jus is the author of YA paranormal romance and urban fantasy fiction. A native New Yorker, she lives in the middle of nowhere with her husband, three dogs, and sometimes guard bear, Oswald. Her first book, Touch was released in November 2011 from Entangled Publishing. She is currently working on the next book in the Denazen series.

Give Jus a yell on Twitter, or visit her on Facebook, and her website.

GIVEAWAY

 

 

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