All that Glows by Ryan Graudin Blog Tour #BookReview #Giveaway

All That Glows
by Ryan Graudin
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: February 11th 2014

Emrys—a fiery, red-headed Fae—always embraced her life in the Highlands, far from the city’s draining technology, until she’s sent to London to rejoin the Faery Guard. But this isn’t any normal assignment—she’s sent to guard Prince Richard: Britain’s notorious, partying bad boy and soon-to-be King. The prince’s careless ways and royal blood make him the irresistible for the dark spirits that feed on mortals. Sweet, disheveled, and alive with adventure—Richard is one charge who will put Emrys’s magic and heart to the test.

When an ancient force begins preying on the monarchy, Emrys must hunt through the London’s magical underworld, facing down Banshees, Black Dogs and Green Women to find the one who threatens Richard’s life. In this chaos of dark magic, palace murders and paparazzi, Emrys finds herself facing an impossible choice. For despite all her powers, Emrys has discovered a force that burns brighter than magic: love.

Richard emerges like some mythical figure from a billowing steam cloud, a towel hanging from his waist. I divert my eyes as he changes and yawns.

"Good night, Richard," I murmur, and settle farther into the armchair. Although I'm comfortable, I'm far from relaxed. My mind and senses are on high alert for the dangers night brings.

"Good night, Embers."

"It's Emrys," I correct him.

"I know." His words grow weak under another yawn and he collapses onto his bed.

"But your hair, it looks like embers."

I tug a strand flat between two fingers. Embers. I'd never thought of that before. I wind it around my knuckles, tighter and tighter until no more bodd can reach my nails.

It's only when I'm certain he's asleep that I smile.

I love stories about the Fae because you can be so creative with them. Even though there are often basics like Mab (Maeve), Oberon and Titania you can often move them around and fit them into your own tale. That is how it was in All that Glows. We have Mab who is Queen of the Fairies because as succession goes it’s the oldest faery that takes the crown. The reason that there are not as many “old ones” is because of all the electronics and things are making them sick. The older the fae the less resistant they are to things like the bustling city of London. It can actually make them crazy and then they have to be taken care of. The Fae also has a deal to protect the royal line of England that dates back to King Arthur. Even though the Fae are protecting the kings and queens, the humans are not aware of their presence.

This story is about Emrys and Prince Richard. Emrys has just been reassigned to rejoin the faery guard that protects the Royals. She is one of the more powerful fae, even though she is not as old as some. Prince Richard is a bad boy trying to find an out of his duties that come upon him more quickly than he expects. Using his drinking as an escape is not going to work the way it was before.

I loved Emrys. She’s kind of a no nonsense bad ass chic. I like when the female lead is a strong character that can fight off and take out the enemy. She wields magic like a warrior wields a sword. Even though there is some insta love with her Richard they explain the reasoning for that later on. Besides that even when Emrys says she has feelings for Richard she also admits to not being ready to commit to the idea of giving up her immortality and powers to be with him.

I really liked Ryan’s writing style in the book. It had that darker edge that I love to be incorporated into my Fae/London stories. I know I’m describing that weird. The story had a nice flow but for some reason I felt it get a little sluggish in the middle. I’m not sure why because I was still enjoying the story but it can felt like there needed to be a little more action to move events along. Something was missing that I can’t quite put my finger on. There was a lot more focus on the romance then I think you sometimes see but this is having to put all the romance into one book instead of three. I was fine with the heavy romance and enjoyed it. I liked the parts where Emrys would go off on her own to investigate too. I wouldn’t have minded seeing that happen a little more and have her follow maybe a longer trail.

I really loved how this book was actually modern but also had a historical fiction feel to it. The blending of the worlds was done so seamlessly in my opinion. If you think about how many traditions that the royals still follow it makes perfect sense. I really loved the setting and the descriptions of the different places. Just going through the city or being on the subway. Emrys explaining how things have gotten so far from nature and that’s why the fae have a hard time thriving in the newer world.

Even though I admit that there was a little bit of lag at one point in the book I really liked it. I enjoyed the plot and the characters and found myself completely absorbed when I was reading. I liked being submerged in the world of the Fae/Royals. I think if you like Fae stories you will enjoy this book.

My Playlist

Dark Side by Kelly Clarkson ~ I don't know I just felt like both Richard and Emrys had their faults. Radioactive by Imagine Dragons ~ I feel like this has become stock book song but it's more the title that reminds of how the city is poison to the older Fae A Girl Like You by Edwyn Collins ~ I don't know for some reason this played in my head when Richard met Emrys Wanted by Hunter Hayes ~ Another Richard/Emrys lovey dovey song Question of the Day
If you had your choice of giving up immortality and all that goes with it or being with your true love what would choose?

My name is Ryan and I've been writing ever since I grabbed one of my dad's old tax ledgers and created this masterpiece: see image.

My writing has since improved, though my obsession with wolves has remained relatively the same (I even own a wolf-hybrid pup.) My childhood was a happy, sunny thing. I grew up on a steady diet of fairytales, salt-marshes, music and brothers who would re-enact Redwall battles with me in the back yard. I went to an artsy sort of high-school that allowed cello recitals in the hallways and impromptu poetry slams in the cafeteria. It was there I decided that writing was what I wanted to do more than anything.

I'm officially a grownup now (I suppose one must admit that once they turn 26). My diet still includes fairytales, salt-marshes and art, but there are a few new loves thrown in. A big one is travel. Pieces of my heart are scattered like breadcrumbs all over the globe--I've bartered them off for writing inspiration, so I suppose it's a fair trade.

When I'm not cramming my earthly belongings into a backpack and waiting in airport security lines, I'm doing one of the following: Writing YA novels, Photographing weddings with my husband, Making our little white cottage more homey, Playing with my wolf pup, Trying out Korean récipes, Haunting local coffee shops with my friends.

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