Blog Tour: Here

As part of the blog tour for Here, I have my review to share with you for this fantastic book, as well as a special giveaway for a copy of Here!

You can stop by and see the full schedule here, and see what other posts have been a part of the tour!

Here (On the Otherside #1) by Denise Grover Swank

Release Date ~ November 11, 2011

Self-published

ISBN13: 9781466394575

E-book received from author for blog tour review

Goodreads Synopsis:

Sixteen year old Julia Phillips buries herself in guilt after killing her best friend Monica in a car accident. Julia awoke in the hospital with a broken leg, a new talent for drawing and false memories of the accident, in which she dies and Monica lives. The doctors attribute this to her head injury, but no one can explain how a bracelet engraved with her name ended up at the scene of the accident. A bracelet no one has ever seen before.

Classmate Evan Whittaker paid Julia no attention before the accident, let alone after. Now suddenly he’s volunteering to tutor her and offering to drive her home. She can't ignore that his new obsession started after his two-day disappearance last week and that he wears a pendant she’s been drawing for months. When the police show up one night looking for Evan, he begs Julia to run with him, convincing her that Monica is still alive. Julia agrees to go, never guessing where he’s really from.

I wasn't expecting much from Here, which gave me the first impression of (another) paranormal romance, although it did sound like one that would be slightly different. But let me clarify this right here- it's not. Here is totally different from both what I expected, and even from most other books I've read in regards to its blending of genres.

1. Plot twists & genre blending:
   
   About halfway through this book EVERYTHING changes and you realize that this book actually has some science fiction aspects to it as well - probably moreso than the paranormal vibe it gives off at first. This completely caught me off guard, and turned the story right around for me, making it an exciting, action-packed read that was hard to put down.
2. Very interesting characters:
   I enjoyed watching the various characters shift and change as we learn more about them, and I loved that they were all very different characters with their own issues and flaws, making them seem believable and realistic. There's plenty of development that takes place and we really get to see the characters grow in some ways, and I think there's room for even more in the sequel. The way that Julia deals with her grief is understandble, and it's actually heartbreaking to watch things fall apart around her as she just doesn't know how to deal with it. There's something so raw about it, and makes her a great main character for the story.
3. A great premise:
   A girl who's guilt-ridden by her best friend's death? Sure, that sounds great enough as it is! Especially when you throw in that the most popular guy in school is now obsessed with her, and pretty darn creepy about in some ways. Which I'm thankful that Julia recognizes instead of being totally oblivious and lovesick about it. And then there's that whole plot twist that yanks the rug out from under your feet that I mentioned above, and it just gets even better from there on out. Seriously. Science fiction. I can't say that enough!

Here is one of the most surprising reads I've read this year, and probably ever. It was so different from what I was expecting, and even the synopsis is misleading (although, I think that's intentional so you don't expect the twists). It's great for those who are looking for something different to read, a book where not everything is quite what it seems...

I have one e-book copy that one of you can win of Here! If you're curious at all about this book, and you'd like a chance to win it then good luck and enter here!

Open internationally - it is an e-book copy after all. Normal contest rules apply (on my contest tab on the above menu)

To enter, just answer the question I have below and leave a comment with your answer & contact e-mail address.

Question: Do you prefer sci fi/dystopian/post-apocolyptic books or paranormal?