Tear You Apart by Sarah Cross

Tear You Apart by Sarah Cross
Release Date - January 27, 2015
Publisher Website - Egmont
Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages -  384 pages
My Rating - 5/5
**received in exchange for an honest review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

An edgy fairy tale retelling of "Snow White" set in the world of Kill Me Softly for fans of Once Upon a Time and Grimm.

Faced with a possible loophole to her "Snow White" curse, Viv goes underground, literally, to find the prince who's fated to rescue her. But is life safe in the Underworld worth the price of sacrificing the love that might kill her?

The world of Beau Rivage is like a dream. In some cases those dreams happen to be nightmares. Sarah Cross' books are as chilling as they are magical. Her fairytales tend to skew towards the darkness rather than the light and her take on Snow White is even more unnerving than expected.

Viv has always known a huntsmen would come to kill her one day. She's expected it forever, along the with the prince that is supposed to rescue her. The fact that her huntsmen also happens to be the person she is in love with only complicates the situation further. Viv and Henley's push/pull romance added an edge of danger and suspense to the story. It's a darker romance that created some real tension. This novel is a fairytale, but it also happens to be a well written suspense novel. I was breathlessly on edge waiting to see what Henley would decide, what Regina would do, and how Viv might find a loop hole to her curse. The thriller aspect of the novel is pulse pounding and just as strong (if not stronger) than the fairytale elements. The fate of everyone involved feels uncertain and that allows for real stakes.

This novel blends together the Twelve Dancing Princesses fairytale with the Snow White fairytale. There is even an dash of Rumpelstiltskin added into the mix. This novels blend them together effortlessly so that they compliment each other and weave together seamlessly.

These fairytales are almost twisted beyond belief and turned into something much more sinister than the tales of your childhood. In Beau Rivage Snow White's prince may prefer his princess more comatose and therefore drug her. A single spoken word could mean death for one girl's brothers. Murder is overlooked if done in the name of a curse. These curses are normally looked at as a blessing but Sarah Cross adeptly shows that they tend to cause more pain and offer little to any benefit. The happily ever after destined to be is not always what is promised. The notion of making your own fate, even if it is not a blissfully happy one, being worth the freedom is shown and present a more modern, realistic take on fairytales.

The characters are flawed and imperfect. This includes Viv. She and Henley have a tumultuous relationship where neither of them treat each other very well. Viv is always pushing the boundaries and testing the limits when it comes to Henley's heart.  Both of them try to make the other jealous. However, it's clear that they love each other and that it was built on a solid friendship that the curse is destroying. Regina is more than a caricature villainess. She has layers to her that were unexpected. The novel shows that everyone involved is a victim of the curse, and bittersweetly shows you how different things could have been without it.

Sarah's version of a fairytale ending is not the sweetness and light one might expect from a fairytale. Her inspiration tends to be the more sinister versions of the fairytales, and at most the endings are bittersweet. This ending is laced with a sadness that prevents it from being the typical happily ever after.

A darkly seductive, twisted fairytale that blends together multiple inspirations flawlessly. Sarah Cross has truly created a spellbinding, magical take on the Snow White tale that inspires and entrances even as it leaves you feeling unsettled.

Tear You Apart Blog Tour *Exclusive Short Story*

Today I am part of the amazing blog tour for Sarah Cross' novel Tear You Apart. If you saw my review for the companion novel Kill Me Softly, you'll know I love this series.

I get to share a part of a short story set in Beau Rivage. This is part five of six so be sure to check out the previous tour stops for the beginning of the story.

You can find the other parts to the story by visiting...

Two Chicks On Books - Part 1

Magical Urban Fantasy Reads - Part 2

The Ravenous Reader - Part 3

Du Livre - Part 4

Title: TEAR YOU APART

Author: Sarah Cross

Pub. Date: January 27, 2015

Publisher: EgmontUSA

Pages: 384

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Find it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads

An edgy fairy tale retelling of "Snow White" set in the world of Kill Me Softly for fans of Once Upon a Time and Grimm.

Faced with a possible loophole to her "Snow White" curse, Viv goes underground, literally, to find the prince who's fated to rescue her. But is life safe in the Underworld worth the price of sacrficing the love that might kill her?

POP CULTURE CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF TWISTING FAIRY TALES: ABC's Once Upon a Time and NBC's Grimm continue to pull in high ratings. And with the anticipated Angelina Jolie Maleficent (2014), the film adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods (2014), and Kenneth Branagh's Cinderella (2015), Hollywood is infected with fairy tale fever.

CAMEOS FROM FAVORITE CHARACTERS: Viv, who first appeared in Kill Me Softly trailed by her brooding boy-toy Henley, takes center stage in this new Beau Rivage tale. Other familiar characters including Blue and Jewel are back to help her defy her destiny.

TEENS LOVE THIS FAIRY TALE WORLD: Kill Me Soflty was a 2013 YALSA Teens' Top 10. Readers have been clamoring for a sequel.

A FRESH TAKE ON THE FAMILIAR: Drawing on "Snow White," "The Twelve Dancing Princesses," and "Rumpelstiltskin," Tear You Apart is very conscious of the way these stories have pervaded pop culture, twisting known tropes into an exciting new story that can stand on its own.

Here is the 5th installment of Sarah's short story, Three Nights, Twelve Princesses, One Curse.

Amazing, right? I cannot wait to see what happens next in the final installment of this story! Be sure to follow the rest of the tour to catch the last part!

Sarah Cross is the author of the fairy tale novels Kill Me Softly and Tear You Apart (coming January 2015), the superhero novel Dull Boy, and the Wolverine comic "The Adamantium Diaries." She loves fairy tales, lowbrow art, secret identities and silence.

Website | Twitter |Facebook | Goodreads |Pinterest | Tumblr

There is also a giveaway that you can enter as part of the blog tour. 10 lucky winners will recieve signed copies of Tear You Apart. To enter just follow the Rafflecopter directions and the contest is open to USA/Canada residents only. 

Here is the full tour schedule so that you can check out all the tour stops in this amazing tour.

1/19/2015- Two Chicks on Books- Story Post
1/20/2015- Crossroad Reviews- Spotlight Post
1/21/2015- Magical Urban Fantasy Reads- Story Post
1/22/2015- Bumbles and Fairy-Tales- Review
1/23/2015- Tales of the Ravenous Reader- Story Post                                                                  
1/26/2015- Jump Into Books- Review
1/27/2015- Du Livre- Story Post
1/28/2015- Head Stuck In A Book- Review
1/29/2015- A Glass of Wine- Story Post
1/30/2015- A Backwards Story- Story Post and Review of the novella TWIN ROSES

Be sure to stop by tomorrow when I'll share my review Tear You Apart!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

2015 Most Anticipated - Tear You Apart

Kicking off this year's event is a fairytale retelling that is a companion to one of my favourite reads. Kill Me Softly surprised me, and I immediately wanted Viv's story after I had finished. Luckily, Sarah Cross has written that story and we'll all get to experience her take on the Snow White tale in January.

If you haven't already checked out the first novel, Kill Me Softly, consider it your task for the month of December.

Just check out this Goodreads synopsis and you'll be eager to get caught up in time for the release of Tear You Apart

An edgy fairy tale retelling of "Snow White" set in the world of Kill Me Softly for fans of Once Upon a Time and Grimm.

Viv knows there's no escaping her fairy tale curse. One day her beautiful stepmother will feed her a poisoned apple or shove a poisoned comb into her scalp or hire her on-again-off-again boyfriend, Henley, to hunt her down and rip out her heart before she breaks his. In the city of Beau Rivage, no matter how much you fight it, your marchen mark is your destiny.

Yet, when Viv receives an invitation to the swank underground club where the Twelve Princesses escape to dance each night, she thinks she might have found a loophole to her date with death. There she meets Jasper, the thirteenth prince. Her prince. The prince that is destined to save her when her curse comes to call.

But constant nights of partying get old fast. The royal family is ruled with an iron fist by their patriarch, who gloats over the fact that no one can challenge him without his name. And Viv doesn't love Jasper (in fact, she kind of loathes him) and she doesn't want to be an underworld queen--it's a living death.

So when Henley finds his entry into the underworld as a champion set to solve the secret of the Twelve Dancing Princesses in order to save her, Viv takes the rules of fairy tales into her own hands. No matter her curse, no matter her fate, she can't lose the only boy who's ever had her heart.

Sarah Cross rewrites the fate of Snow White in her smart, edgy follow-up to her acclaimed Kill Me Softly.

If you love fairytales this should immediately be bumped up your wishlist as these novels blend together multiple fairytales effortlessly and I am dying to see what twist she's put on the Snow White tale.

I got Sarah to design an ice flavour for her book, spill some secrets and share the shiver inducing first line from Tear You Apart in this amazing Q and A.

1 Describe Tear You Apart in three words.

Dark, twisted, magical

2 If someone were to make an ice cream flavour for your book, what might be included?

Tear You Apart's signature ice cream would have to be apple flavored. Maybe apple-cinnamon ice cream with a red "poison" candy-apple swirl and dagger-shaped cookie pieces. It could be called "Blood Red Delicious."

3 Can you share a secret about your book (either it's world, it's characters, or something that helped inspire the story)?

Some of the scenes in Tear You Apart are set in an underworld nightclub where the Twelve Dancing Princesses go to dance, so of course I had music on the brain while I was writing the book. One album that really clicked for me and seemed to fit the mood of the story was Marina and the Diamonds' Electra Heart. Other songs on my TYA playlist: Ke$ha's "Dancing with Tears in My Eyes," Yeah Yeah Yeahs' "Heads Will Roll," and Fiona Apple's "Criminal."

4 This (and the novel that comes before it) are a mash up of fairytales. Which fairytale is your particular favourite?

My favorite fairy tale is Hans Christian Andersen's "The Steadfast Tin Soldier." I also love Madame d'Aulnoy's fairy tales and Marie-Jeanne L'Héritier's "The Subtle Princess." My favorite fairy tale that I've retold is . . . a spoiler. But if you've read Kill Me Softly, you can probably guess based on that.

5 If you could travel to anywhere, in any time period, when and where would you want travel? 

Do I get bonus language skills with this trip back in time? If so, I'd visit Japan during the late Tokugawa period (1820s-30s would be my pick), and I'd probably go to Edo (Tokyo) and cross my fingers that I didn't arrive on a day the city was burning down.

6 What three things do you need while revising?

Patience, perspective, & good advice.

7 If possible, please share the first line of Tear You Apart. (only answer if not too spoilery).

The very first line of Tear You Apart is: I want you to bring me her heart. Her heart--that's what you want, too. .

That first line is AMAZING, and I would love to try "Blood Red Delicious" ice cream. I want to thank Sarah for answering these questions for me.

Tear You Apart is released Januaray 27th but you can pre-order it now (and pick up Kill Me Softly in stores immediately)

Amazon // Chapters // Barnes and Noble 

As an added bonus, Sarah Cross is releasing a short story novella that is set in the same world, and mixes together some interesting fairytales of it's own will be released in December.

You can pre-order this one as well for many electronic reading devices, and I looking forward to returning to this stunning world as soon as it's released. You can add it to your Goodreads account in the meantime.

Nook // Kindle // Kobo

Be sure to check back later on during the event for a chance to win one of my featured titles!

You can follow Sarah Cross on Twitter, visit her official website, and learn more about the book from the publisher website.

Do you like fairytale retellings? Have you read Kill Me Softly? Let me know in the comments.

New To My Book Closet

It's that time of the week again. Time to show you what bookish goodies made their way into my home and book closet (to be saved from the evil book eating cat monster named Aria). This is inspired by the various "mailbox" posts out there (eg. In My Mailbox by The Story Siren, and Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Reviews).

I am beyond excited for all the books that made their way into my mailbox (and email inbox) this week. One however has me DYING to drop everything and start it IMMEDIATELY!

First up I received a physical copy of a book from Hachette Canada. A big thank you to them for Salt and Storm. I've been hearing nothing but amazing things about it.

Salt and Storm by Kendall Kulper (goodreads)

Next up are two e-galleys that I received for review. A big thank you to Egmont and Little Brown/Hachette for these as I am excited to read both of them.

Blood Of My Blood by Barry Lyga (goodreads)
Tear You Apart by Sarah Cross (goodreads)

I am excited to see how Jasper's story is going to end in Barry Lyga's series. After that insane second book it' won't be long before I start this one.

I am dying to start Tear You Apart immediately because I loved the first book in this 'series' (they are more companion novels) so much. Hoping to fit it in during my vacation week at the end of August.

What books made their way into your mailbox this week?

Happy weekend, and happy reading!

Waiting on Wednesday .......... Tear You Apart

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My pick this week is Tear You Apart by Sarah Cross

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

An edgy fairy tale retelling of "Snow White" set in the world of Kill Me Softly for fans of Once Upon a Time and Grimm.

Faced with a possible loophole to her "Snow White" curse, Viv goes underground, literally, to find the prince who's fated to rescue her. But is life safe in the Underworld worth the price of sacrficing the love that might kill her?

I loved Kill Me Softly. LOVED. After finishing I was ready to pretty much beg to have Viv's story told. Honestly, BEG. I am beyond excited to see what Sarah does with the Snow White myth, and how it all unravels. If you haven't picked up Kill Me Softly, it's out in paperback and a perfect way to prepare for this awesomeness that will be coming out early 2015!

Expected release date - January 27, 2015

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

Here are my obsessions this week.

BOOK

Cover of Tear You Apart by Sarah Cross

Kill Me Softly was one of my favourites the year that I read it. It really surprised me. I loved the world Sarah Cross built, and wanted more of the 'Snow White' story in particular. This expands the story of one of the characters we met in Kill Me Softly, and I am very much looking forward to owning this! The cover is also fantastic and matches the Kill Me Softly one perfectly.

TV/MOVIE

Gone Girl's amazing promo campaign

These amazing promo posters were to advertise the new trailer that was released on July 7th. These made their way online on July 5 which fans of the book know is Nick and Amy's wedding/anniversary date (and the date Amy goes missing). A fantastic marketing touch that I especially liked.

The trailer itself is amazing. I, personally, think it's even better than the first trailer. It's certainly chill inducing. I pretty much need it to be October already so I can see this movie. Ben Affleck is perfectly cast as Nick

What are you obsessed with this week?