Wednesday, November 7, 2012

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!
 
Toxic (Denazen, #2)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)

Touch (Denazen, #1)Untouched (Denazen, #1.5)Toxic (Denazen, #2)


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
 
 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Photobucket

22 comments:

  1. I love Kale! I actually really like is sweet and naive personality. I find it adorable and yup definitely explain since he lived inside the compound all his life. I hated Jade!!! She is the Sabine of this series!!! Nice interview. Those are some hard choices!

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a great Q&A. And I agree with her about the Drama or Comedy question :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh this is a fab review Andrea, it looks like I'm missing out on so much awesomeness by not having picked up the first book yet! The characters sound like an interesting bunch I can't wait to meet! :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Awesome interview!! I only skimmed your review because I still need to read the first book. (I bought it when it first came out. I can't wait for December when I have more me time.) I have to agree with Jus, I am a shifters girl too. Vamps are so overrated lol!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great review and interview. I won this book, but haven't had a chance to read it yet, but hope to get to it really soon.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Like Amy, I also had to skim the review because not only have I not read book one, I'm really anxious to! Love your Q&As! Although I'm a total vamp girl, weres have definitely been growing on me lately, especially those buff ones ;)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love love loved Touch and I bought Toxic but haven't gotten to it yet. I am so worried that Jade is going to drive me crazy! Giselle said she drove her crazy and I'm much more irritable when it comes to triangles in my books. I am with you that I always just want the characters to get together and get over the bullshit and the wrenches in the road drive me nuts. Great review chick!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I have yet to start this series, and I even own a copy of Touch! In December I am going to try to read more books that I want to read, and Touch is on the top of that pile. This series sounds just amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks for the great interview and review! I've been circling this series and it's definitely on my want list :) Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thank you for the great (and spoiler-free) review and awesome giveaway!! Love the Q&A! This series really has me intrigued. Definitely adding it to the list!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm interested in this series. So many people really enjoy it. I'll have to read it sometime.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love characters that can kick butt!

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts as well as the Q&A :)

    Hope you have a great weekend Andrea!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Dude, I freaking HATED that bitch Jade. As tough as Dez is, I'm surprised she let her get away with so much. I still really liked this book though and can't wait for the next one :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Another series that I need to read! Great question and answer and thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Oh nooo! I hate the poor third wheel angle. Otherwise this does sound like a good series though.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Sounds like I need to pick up the first book.. Thanks for sharing the new to me author
    Great blurb, review, and Q & A with the author...

    ReplyDelete
  17. Awesome review! I loved Touch and I don't know why I haven't picked up Toxic yet. I think I'm afraid of that semi love triangle I know is coming. I'm dreading this Jade chick. I'll read it soon though.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Sounds like love triangle stuff! I can see why it may have bugged just a bit. I really love these book covers -- that guy on the first two is hawt!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I'm with ya on that gripe! I was ticked off when it happened with Kaylee/Nash/Sabine. Great review!

    Valerie

    ReplyDelete
  20. I can't believe I haven't begun the series yet, so thanks for no spoilers.

    I think I will always prefer print. There is something about it.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love your review and love that there is no spoilers! I have yet to read this series, but cannot wait to get started!!!!

    Jolene A

    ReplyDelete
  22. I want to read Toxic so much !!! And the Q/A is really interesting because we get to know more about the author, with simple questions :D
    Thanks for the giveaway !

    ReplyDelete

Comments are bloggy food. Feed me!

Recent Post