Blog Tour: Carlyle Labuschagne's 'Evanescent' Review & Giveaway

Synopsis:

Evanescent (Broken #2)
Her fall has just begun. Only his touch can save her from the shift that could destroy it all.
Within my blood runs a thing our kind calls the Shadowing Disease. It shadows over, and bends everything to its will. When the first blood- shift came, it tore through flesh and blood, threatening to bend me, break bone, shatter my mind and entrap my heart with its honeyed, seductive poison. It came with vicious intent, moving my thoughts and altering me forever. The shift has caused a rift within me. No one was safe when it entrapped me in its claws of foul lust. But I have the only antidote against the evil that becomes me – his touch alone has the power to release the spurs of sweet darkness that clung on for dear life. I knew what I had to do; the desperation pulled my mind with the deep determination of a hungry predator. By the time the revelation raised me from the dark dungeon of my bounds – it might have been too late.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Carlyle Labuschagne is a South African debut author working her way into the hearts of international readers with her first young adult dystopian novel "The Broken Destiny". She is not only an author, but works as a sales rep and marketing manager by day. She holds a diploma in creative writing through the writing school at College SA.

Carlyle loves to swim, fights for the trees, and is a food lover who is driven by her passion for life. Carlyle also writes for IU e-magazine India, an inspirational non-profit magazine that aims at inspiring the world through words. The drive behind her author career is healing through words. Carlyle is also the founder of the first annual book drive – Help Build A Library in Africa Project.

“My goal as an author is to touch people’s lives, and help others love their differences and one another.”

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My Review:

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Going into this book I was both excited and nervous. This is the second book in The Broken series and I absolutely adored the first book The Broken Destiny (you can read my review of it here). I couldn't wait to find out what would happen next in Ava's story, but I was also nervous because the first book set a high standard, one that might be difficult to live up to. After reading this book I see now my worry was for naught. This book was amazing, maybe even better than the first. This story throws you right into the action and the turmoil right from the get go and takes you around about a million twists and turns.

Ava accepted her destiny in the first book, but now she is paying for it. Everything is so much worse than she ever imagined it could be and she's trying to do what she needs to in order to save her loved ones. She is being overcome with darkness and she is trying to control it in order to stop Enoch. She recalls that there is something within herself that will help her to take control of her darkness, but she has to find the answers inside herself. Time is running short and she begins to uncover secrets that make her doubt herself and those she trusts most. Everything is riding on her and she must piece together the secrets and bits of information she uncovers in order to both accept who she is and save the day.

Again I have to say that Labuschagne has an amazing way with metaphor. She tells this story that is completely thrilling and enrapturing all on its own, but it also has a deeper meaning. It's a story of fantasy, but it's also a story about a young woman discovering both who she is and the power she holds within her. This book sucks you in and keeps you hooked throughout, but then when you finish and think about it you realize how Ava could really be any girl going through life and finding her way. This story has the perfect balance of entertainment and deeper meaning. It drives me crazy when metaphors such as this are too obvious and thrown in your face. This book is fun, but also makes you think. You have to look for that deeper meaning without having it thrown in your face and I love that. It shows that Labuschagne respects her readers and doesn't treat them like idiots. Not to mention it shows she has a great talent in both writing and storytelling in general.

 I have loved Ava since I first met her in book one and I love her even more now. She is such a strong, well developed character. She is such an incredible role model for young women. She is tough and brave, but she is also vulnerable and very real. She has immense inner strength and intelligence that a lot of young adult female characters lack. You cannot help but root for her throughout her trials and tribulations. She just continues to grow more and more interesting as the story moves forward.

This book is really just a fantastic read. It's a page-turner that will hook you from the very beginning and keep you up all night. If you have read the first book you absolutely must continue with this one and if you haven't read the first book you absolutely must. And then read this one too. These books are not to be missed. This book is entertaining and will take you on an adventure of twists and turns that will constantly keep you guessing. I cannot wait to see if Ava will pull through or not, and if she does just how she will manage. I am eagerly awaiting the third book. This book gets a definite five out of five star rating. Read it. You will thank me, I promise.

Click here to view more stops on the Evanescent Blog Tour.

Giveaway:

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