It’s time for Indie-Mas! This is the THIRD annual recap of all the independently-published books I’ve read. I like to take this time to share the love–both by helping promote great indie books and giving them away! So without further ado…
On the seventh day of Indie-Mas, my author gave to me:
A Viola-Player Sci-FI
I came to Mary by way of Twitter, and picked up her book because the premise sounded interesting. For a gal who wrote a sci-fi, I’m oddly picky in the genre. But a viola player in the midst of an alien war? Sign my ass up!
And let me tell you, Starswept did not disappoint. What I loved most about it was how intertwined the musical aspect was with the more sci-fi. I could really feel Iris’ pressure to perform well, and the shadow of her parents. I’ve never been involved in Orchestra (except for a brief stint in middle school), but Mary paints a beautiful picture of intrigue and kids just trying to survive.
Definitely put this one on your TBR!
Some melodies reach across the stars.
In 2157, the Adryil–an advanced race of telepathic humanoids–contacted Earth. A century later, 15-year-old violist Iris Lei considers herself lucky to attend Papilio, a prestigious performing arts school powered by their technology. Born penniless, Iris’s one shot at a better life is to attract an Adryil patron. But only the best get hired, and competition is fierce.
A sudden encounter with an Adryil boy upends her world. Iris longs to learn about him and his faraway realm, but after the authorities arrest him for trespassing, the only evidence she has of his existence is the mysterious alien device he slipped to her.
When she starts hearing his voice in her head, she wonders if her world of backstabbing artists and pressure for perfection is driving her insane. Then, she discovers that her visions of him are real–by way of telepathy–and soon finds herself lost in the kind of impossible love she depicts in her music.
But even as their bond deepens, Iris realizes that he’s hiding something from her–and it’s dangerous. Her quest for answers leads her past her sheltered world to a strange planet lightyears away, where she uncovers secrets about Earth’s alien allies that shatter everything she knows.
Enter the Giveaway
More on IndieMas
IndieMas is my annual recap of my favorite reads of the year. It’s a chance for me to pause the Sush marketing machine and focus on some folks doing good work out there. I like to really focus on those underrated gems with less than 50 reviews. For you, the reader, I do a giveaway on each post, as well as a grand prize. This year, I’m giving away a paperback copy of one of the eleven books, shipped anywhere Book Depository delivers!
You can click on any of the covers below to find out more, or enter the raffle at the bottom.
IndieMas 2017 Picks
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The Grand Prize
This year, I’ll be giving away a grand prize of one paperback copy of an IndieMas pick! As with all the above, this giveaway is international to anywhere Book Depository delivers. Enter below!
And don’t forget, each book above has its own eBook giveaway, too! Make sure you enter and give some authors some love.
My geekiest favorite read was “Aesthetic Modernism and Masculinity in Fascist Italy.” Not even kidding.