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A Review of A Time To Rise by Nadine Brandes & ICYMI: The Cover Reveal for Fawkes!

Published on November 17, 2017November 12, 2017 by Kester (from LILbooKlovers)1 Comment

Hi guys! Today, I am at the TN All Northwest Choral Festival, so I will be very slow at responding to any messages I receive! If you’re reading this on the Friday that this review was posted, I am probably singing or having fun with my choir. Once my concert is done the next day, I will be back to my normal routine!

Earlier this week, we invited Nadine Brandes to talk to us about her YA Christian dystopian fiction Out of Time trilogy and to also unveil the cover of her newest book Fawkes, a YA historical fantasy based on the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. I’m a big history nerd, so when I first read the synopsis of the book, excitement filled my entire body. This book cannot come any sooner! And if you look at the gorgeous cover, you can see why I think it’s going to be a beauty!

I hope you enjoy this review of A Time to Rise by Nadine Brandes, the third book in her Out of Time Trilgoy!

About A Time to Rise

What more can you sacrifice than your life?

Parvin Blackwater is dead.

At least…that’s what the Council—and the world—thinks. But her sacrifice tore down part of the Wall long enough to stir up hope and rebellion in the people. Now she will rise again. Strong, free, and fearless.

Parvin and Solomon must uncover the mysterious clues that Jude left behind in order to destroy the projected Wall once and for all. Meanwhile, the Council schemes to new levels of technology in its attempts to keep the people contained. Can a one-handed Radical and a scarred ex-Enforcer really bring shalom to the world?

Disclaimer: I received a free e-copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This will not affect my review in any way.

After finishing this book, I am feeling many emotions when I think about A Time to Rise. On one hand, I am super sad that I have completed such an amazing series that has touched my heart and changed my life. On the other hand, I am so happy about the ending and how the series turned out. When I first started this series, I did not have high hopes–I did not like the first book and did not plan on starting the second. Before New Year’s of this year, I felt a spark from God inside of me to talk to Nadine about how to be more active in the Facebook Street Team and how I didn’t like the first book. Nadine, being one of the sweetest authors ever, understood and sent me the next book to read in case I wanted to start on it. I do not at all regret that decision. Although I did like A Time to Speak better (the second book in the series that is so amazing), this book is so thought-provoking and inspiring that it will change your outlook on life itself. Reading this has filled me up with so much joy and love and optimism that I wished it did not end! I highly encourage everyone to read not only A Time to Rise but the entire Out of Time series as well!

A Time to Rise is such a powerful faith-filled book that will inspire you to continue to strive for the glory of God, to never give up, to trust in Him, and to live life day-to-day and to the fullest. This book has definitely impacted me by reminding me that I need to constantly trust in God and to not worry about everything, for He will guide me to accomplish His Will. Parvin’s journey to achieve her mission of tearing down the Wall that divides the North American continent will motivate you to rely more on God to have unwavering trust. Sometimes, when I am stressed, I think about A Time to Speak and A Time to Die to help me get through my trials, that if Parvin can live her life without fearing death and with great faith to overcome obstacles, then I can do so too.

Once again, I have fallen in love with the entire cast of characters, even many of the antagonists. The author has the beautiful talent of creating multi-dimensional characters that are truly human who show exemplify both virtue and sin. It was so easy for me to relate to the protagonists in the book, from their struggles to do what it right to their longing to become closer to God and family. I cried and my heart felt warm during reunions and celebrations, and I loved it whenever someone had a happy ending or outcome. Even the villains were not portrayed as totally evil and one-dimensional: You could see remnants of goodness and God’s grace acting within them at moments. Each character was so lovable that I want to hug them all (even you Brickbat and Skelley).

For me personally, I think the second book in the entire series was the best one. It took me a little bit of time to get into this novel, but once I got past the slightly rocky beginning, I could not set this book down. A Time to Rise transported me into the story so much that I did not want it to end! I needed more! This book put me on the edge of my seat so many times that I felt like I was in an action movie or on a roller coaster–I became so emotionally involved in the story that I felt as if I was an actual part of it. That is a skill that only a few writers can master, and Nadine Brandes accomplished it. As much as I am very satisfied with the resolution of the plot, I just want more from the Time to Die world! I will definitely be looking forward to more of Nadine’s future novels! She is an author you do NOT want to miss!

Speaking of future work…

If you missed the cover reveal for Nadine’s newest book Fawkes, you can see it below! You can also check out our celebratory interview here, in which she talks about writing her amazing Out of Time series!

Now for the exciting part…

Here is the gorgeous cover of Nadine’s upcoming book Fawkes!

About Fawkes

Thomas Fawkes is turning to stone, and the only cure to the Stone Plague is to join his father’s plot to assassinate the king of England.

Silent wars leave the most carnage. The wars that are never declared, but are carried out in dark alleys with masks and hidden knives. Wars where color power alters the natural rhythm of 17th century London. And when the king calls for peace, no one listens until he finally calls for death.

But what if death finds him first?

Keepers think the Igniters caused the plague. Igniters think the Keepers did it. But all Thomas knows is that the Stone Plague infecting his eye is spreading. And if he doesn’t do something soon, he’ll be a lifeless statue. So when his Keeper father, Guy Fawkes, invites him to join the Gunpowder Plot—claiming it will put an end to the plague—Thomas is in.

The plan: use 36 barrels of gunpowder to blow up the Igniter King James.

The problem: Doing so will destroy the family of the girl Thomas loves. But backing out of the plot will send his father and the other plotters to the gallows. To save one, Thomas will lose the other.

No matter Thomas’s choice, one thing is clear: once the decision is made and the color masks have been put on, there’s no turning back.

Fawkes by Nadine Brandes will release on July 10th, 2018 from Thomas Nelson (HarperCollins)

Here is the link for the cover reveal announcement:

http://bit.ly/FawkesBook

Add Fawkes on Goodreads, and pre-order it from Amazon here!

Goodreads | Amazon

About Nadine Brandes

I am an adventurer, fusing authentic faith with bold imagination. I never received my Hogwarts letter, but rest assured I’m no Muggle (and would have been in Ravenclaw House, thank you very much.) This Harry Potter super-nerd has been known to eat an entire package of Oreos (family-size) by herself, and watches Fiddler on the Roof at least once a year. I write about brave living, finding purpose, and other worlds soaked in imagination. My dystopian trilogy (The Out of Time Series) challenged me to pursue shalom, which is now my favorite word (followed closely by bumbershoot.) When I’m not taste-testing a new chai or editing fantasy novels, me and my knight-in-shining armor (nickname: “hubby”) are out pursuing adventures.

Happy Reading!

+ J.M.J.

~ Kester

Have you read the Out of Time series? What do you think about Nadine’s new book?

Comment below, or find me in one of my social media pages, and let’s chat!

Nadine Brandes Talks about Faith and Fiction in Her Out of Time Trilogy and Unveils the Cover and Title of Her Newest YA Historical Fantasy!

Published on November 13, 2017November 12, 2017 by Kester (from LILbooKlovers)4 Comments

Hi guys! One of my favorite Street Teams that I am a part of is Nadine Brandes’s Ninjas! Nadine’s Out of Time trilogy is one of the most inspiring, life-changing series I have ever read, and I am so glad that I get to have my Ninja leader here on the blog for a few questions. But today is also a HUGE day for her: she is unveiling the cover and title of her upcoming book, which is a YA historical fantasy!!! If you know how much I love historical fiction and fantasy, you know that I am EXCITED about this book. I just read A Time to Rise, which is her trilogy’s conclusion, and I enjoyed it so much (I am reviewing it later this week!) that I hope my excitement for Nadine’s upcoming book is going to rub off on you. Let me tell you, the cover and the blurb already has me pumped. I hope you enjoy my exclusive interview and cover reveal!

About A Time to Die

How would you live if you knew the day you’d die?

Parvin Blackwater has wasted her life. At only seventeen, she has one year left according to the Clock by her bedside.

In a last-ditch effort to make a difference, she tries to rescue Radicals from the crooked justice system. But when the authorities find out about her illegal activity, they cast her through the Wall — her people’s death sentence.

What she finds on the other side about the world, about eternity, and about herself changes Parvin forever and might just save her people. But her Clock is running out.

1. I am such a big fan of your Out of Time trilogy, which follows Parvin Blackwater as she discovers God’s calling for her to challenge her country’s use of Clocks that determine when a person dies and the Wall in which Radicals (those without Clocks) are thrust onto the other side. What inspired you to incorporate your Christian faith into your fiction work? How has the series pushed you to pursue further shalom in your life?

Incorporating my faith into my work was never a choice—it’s who I am. Writing is a very personal thing—I think it’s that way for every author. Every book I write has a piece of me—a piece of my personal journey or question or recent enlightenment. It would actually be much harder for me to try and keep my faith out of my stories because that would be making the stories a lesser part of myself—less personal and real. (Does that make any sense?)

2. Would you want to have a Clock and know the day you’d die? If so, what would you do differently in your life? If not, how would you live day by day (something Parvin learns later in the series)?

No! I never want a Clock! LOL. I strive to live day by day already—content in the time that God has given me and living fully present each day.

3. Did you surprise yourself as you continued to write and revise the series? Without giving away any major spoilers, were there any events or character deaths that weren’t originally in your plans?

Ahem. Yes, I was surprised by a LOT. A certain injury, to note. Unfortunately every character death was planned far in advance because they were crucial to the plot. But there were a couple characters who lived that I’d originally intended to kill off. 😉 No, I’m not going to tell you.

4. Why do you love writing? When did you first have a love for writing, and how was it formed?

Oh my. Do we really have time for me to list all my reasons? Probably not. One reason I love writing is because I get to create. I think that’s a huge part of being made in God’s image—being a fellow creator. And I connect with Him on such an intimate level. 🙂 I’ve always been a storyteller, but didn’t really try writing for publication until I was in college.

The Out of Time Series forced me to think about the question, “How would you live if you knew the day you’d die?” And I really had to examine if I was living a life the way it was intended to be lived. Writing that series really pushed me to a new level of intentionality.

5. What are some the craziest things you’ve done for book research? Why do you believe it’s important for authors to correctly portray certain experiences by doing them themselves?

I don’t know that every author needs to do the way I do book research. But it’s just what works for me. I’m an adventurer and I get all my best descriptions from doing things first hand. (In fact, I’m traveling to England in four days to do some more research!) What are some crazy things I’ve done? I’ve waded through a cattail marsh, rock climbed down a cliff (but with a harness), eaten raw potatoes, sailed through the Panama canal, chased a boxcar train, gone dogsledding….there’s really not much I haven’t done for the sake of book research. Ha!

6. You consider yourself as an adventurer! What are some of your favorite places that you’ve traveled to? Have you been to the cities and countries featured in your books (i.e. Unity Village, France, Russia, Panama, Antarctica, etc.)?

Well, Unity Village is a name I stole from a sign, but it’s certainly not a place that inspired my story. But other than that, I’ve drawn research from Russia, France, Panama, California…I really wanted to go to Antarctica, but that was a bit too big to swing. So instead I interviewed my grandparents who have been there!

7. What are your favorite books, genres, and authors? Which ones have impacted you and your writing style the most?

Fantasy!! Harry Potter, Narnia, Lord of the Rings…those have all inspired me. I think Harry Potter probably inspired me the most to write in the speculative genres. And then Jill Williamson’s series—The Blood of Kings—really showed me how powerful fiction can be from a Christian worldview. 🙂

8. Your bookstagram photos are so gorgeous, and it has over 6,000 well-deserved followers! What’s your secret to creating such beautiful pictures?

Aww, you’re so sweet! I love bookstagramming! It’s one way I relax after a long writing day. My “secret” is seriously just…practice. I’ve been bookstagramming for years and only just figured out how to fix the lighting for photos or how to edit them to look sharper and clearer. I finally settled into a theme I adore. But I had to be willing to experiment to find what I liked and didn’t like. My best advice would be…experiment! Try new things! Observe accounts you like and learn from them. 🙂

9. What do you do when you’re not writing? Is writing a part-time or full-time job?

Writing is a full-time job. But it hardly ever feels like work! I love it so much that I’m never dreading Mondays or afraid of having to “work” all day. But there are times I need breaks and I’ll usually read or spend time with Mister Ninja (hubby).

10. So Ninja Master, how did you decide upon calling your street team the Ninjas?

Honestly, because “Ninja” started with N and so did “Nadine”. Ha! But “Nadine’s Ninjas” sounded so fun and cool and I totally see my readers as these stealthy brilliant warriors who go out and spread the word and save the world.

11. What can we expect from you in the future? Could you share any secrets about your upcoming works?

MORE BOOKS! [wink] My next two books will be historical fantasy—a new genre for me. And then I have some ideas for after that, but those are too secret for now. 😉 I plan to continue adventuring and digging into my relationship with Jesus because He’s the one who brings me on the best adventures!

12. Would you like to share any tips to any aspiring authors or writers?

WRITE THE THING. If you want to write, then do it. Write the book. Don’t worry about the first draft, it always has room to grow. Instead, write as though no one is watching. Write freely and enjoy the process. Every part of it is beautiful.

Also, my biggest piece of advice is to pray over your work. I know some people may not be the praying sort, but I’d just say…time to learn. 😉 God will change and grow your story in beautiful ways beyond even your fantastic imagination!! ❤

Thanks so much for having me!

Thank you so much, Nadine, for coming! I’m so honored to have you on my blog!

Now onto the cover reveal!

Let me tell you that this cover is one of the most GORGEOUS ones I have ever seen. I definitely need a copy once it’s printed to display at home. I cannot take my eyes off it because it is breathtaking. I’m going to give a few hints of what event the book covers before you read the blurb–the first one is that I’ve never seen any fictional book about this event so it’s intriguing me so much!

Scroll down to see the cover!

Here’s a tiny hint:

It’s set in England.

That was very broad.

It’s set a few years after the start of the 17th century.

Do you have a guess?

I’ll give you one last hint!

I hope you remember, remember that certain date!

Well, the book revolves around…

The Gunpowder Plot of 1605!

And here is the cover!