Blog Tour: The Year of Four & The Blood of Kings by Nya Jade (Reviews!)

The Year of Four: A Phoebe Pope Novel Book One
Author: Nya Jade
Publisher: Dreamwell Publishing
Publication Date: October 29, 2012
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult

The students of Green Lane Academy roam their halls unaware that below their manicured campus exists a prestigious school of an entirely different kind . . .

Sixteen-year-old Phoebe Pope has enrolled at the Campus Below: a spy academy for shape-shifters hidden deep beneath the grounds of a boarding school whose humans unknowingly protect it. There, thanks to a carefully planned schedule, she leads a double life: spy trainee Below and normal teenager Above. As if two course loads, concealing a secret power she alone wields, and coping with her father’s recent death weren’t enough, Phoebe finds herself developing major feelings for actor and teen heartthrob Colten Chase, who attends the Campus Above and appears to be majoring in winning Phoebe’s heart. But when officials learn that Phoebe may be at the center of a startling prophecy, she becomes the target of shape-shifting assassins who will stop at nothing to suppress the truth. Now Phoebe’s lessons about Shaper’s enemies and spycraft take on great importance as a menace stalks the campus, with Phoebe as its target. Meanwhile, what began as an unlikely relationship with Colten, quickly morphs into heartache when she suspects that something sinister lurks beneath this movie star’s glitter and fame. Suddenly, Phoebe’s caught in a mesh of lies, betrayals, and danger where she doesn’t know who to trust, and needs to rely on herself—and her secret power—to get to the truth and to stay alive.

Review: 

My initial thoughts after finishing The Year of Four? 

1. THIS BOOK IS SO BLEEPING GOOD! 
2. I NEED THE NEXT BOOK. COME ON KINDLE LOAD FASTER!  
3. NYA JADE, WHERE HAVE YOUR AMAZING BOOKS BEEN ALL MY LIFE? 

Basically, I ADORED this book! It's been a long time since I've found a YA fantasy to be as unputdownable as The Year of Four was, and in some ways, it managed to fill the hole in my heart that formed when Richelle Mead's Vamprie Academy series ended (and trust me when I say that's a hard thing to accomplish!) 

One of my favorite aspects about this book was the world building. Nya Jade did such an amazing job of setting up the Shaper world. Not only did she include an epic twist on history (hint: it involves Pompeii!) but she included a private school, a dramatic court system, cunning royals, AND a bone-chilling enemy. I loved the level of detail she put into creating Phoebe's world. It truly made the book come alive. Because of the amazing world building, the characters were more fleshed out, the plot lines were more developed, etc. 

Moving on, I adored the main characters in this; however, I have to admit Phoebe was my absolute favorite! There was just so much to love about her. She was smart, brave, and resilient. She's faced horrible things, but instead of letting them bring her down, she only became wiser and stronger because of it. I especially liked the transformation Phoebe goes through over the course of the book. When we're first introduced to her, she's never really been close to anyone besides her dad and grandpa, but as the book progresses, she begins to come out of her shell, befriending some kick-a$$ characters AND starting up a slow-burning romance with a cute and charming boy. However, the characteristic I loved the most about Phoebe was that she could be kick-a$$ all on her own. Sure, sometimes she got help from her love interesting and/or friends, but most of the time, Phoebe was being daring and brave all on her own, which I admired greatly! 

I don't want to say much about the plot, because I don't want to spoil anything. But I will say it's one that will keep you guessing the whole way through! Seriously, just when you think you have everything figured out Nya throws in a crazy twist and BAM you're right back to square one. Additionally, the plot had the perfect balance of action and romance - enough to appease fans of both of areas! 

In all, I could go on and on but I'll end here: The Year of Four is spellbinding, fast paced, and romantic debut! If you're a fan of Vampire Academy and/or Hex Hall you simply must check this one out! 

Grade: A

Source: eBook provided by author - thanks Nya! 

The Blood of Kings: A Phoebe Pope Novel Book Two
Author: Nya Jade
Publisher: Dreamwell Publishing
Publication Date: April 14, 2017
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult

The thrilling, un-put-downable sequel to The Year of Four.

According to the press, Phoebe Pope and teen movie star Colten Chase are no longer an item—which is just how the happy new couple like it. And yet there’s trouble in paradise . . .

Phoebe is haunted by dreams that show her things she can’t possibly know about—including a pact between Colten and a wanted assassin. In the daylight, she struggles to keep a newly emerging power hidden, even as her hands itch to wield it.

Meanwhile, in the wake of their escape from a Vigo crèche, Phoebe and her fellow Hyphas study under lock and key at the Campus Below. As the foursome wait to see who among them will fulfill the prophecy, someone dear to Phoebe is kidnapped by a powerful Vigo determined to use her to spy on the Shaper royalty. When the Hyphas are called to the Royal Court, Phoebe refuses to heed warnings of imminent danger for she will do whatever it takes to rescue her loved one.

But once at court, nothing is as it first appears. A sinister force controls some royals, while others whisper behind closed doors about forbidden alliances. And as Phoebe draws on her courage to complete the task set by her enemy, she makes a startling discovery—one that upends her father’s memory.

With dangerous conspiracies surfacing, Phoebe must uncover what the Royal Shapers really want from her, and decide whether there’s room for Colten in her unraveling life.

Review:

After racing through The Year of Four, I couldn't wait to start The Blood of Kings, the second book in the series. I was beyond excited to see what adventures Phoebe and the rest of the Hyphas would get into next, and I especially couldn't wait to see how Phoebe and Colten's romance developed. However, a small part of me was scared that I wouldn't love this book nearly as much as the first. 

The result? Just when I thought Nya Jade couldn't possibly top the amazingness that was The Year of Four, The Blood of Kings showed up and blew me away! Full of action, suspense, and jaw-dropping-no-that-DIDN'T-just-happen moments, The Blood of Kings doesn't just avoid the sophomore slump it completely surpasses any trace of it! 

Just like with The Year of Four, I loved Phoebe. In this book, she begins to dive more into her abilities and what they mean for her future. I enjoyed seeing her test and use her powers, especially when they brought her into contact with some amazing mentors. Phoebe also became even more strong and fearless. She faces a lot of internal and external conflict throughout The Blood of Kings, and while most people would've gone running and screaming the other way, Phoebe ALWAYS took it head-on, no matter how tough and scary the situation got. I also loved seeing her friendships and relationship develop within this. Her bond with the other Hyphas became one of my favorite parts of the book - the four of them were thrown together with almost nothing in common yet they've managed to become this adorable little family. I loved seeing them confide and put trust in one another - it added such a great "family" element to the book. 

Again, I do't want to say too much about the plot, because it's something you just need to experience for yourself. However, just like with The Year of Four, this one keeps you guessing all the way through! I loved the increase of court drama as well as the bigger look into the prophecies and tensions occurring between the Vigos and Shapers. 

And the ending? OH. MY. GOSH. WHERE. IS. THE. NEXT. BOOK. 

In all, I have so much love for this series and author! I seriously can't wait to see what adventure Nya takes us on next! 

Grade: A+ 

Source: eBook provided by author - thanks Nya! 

Excerpt from:

THE YEAR OF FOUR

A PHOEBE POPE NOVEL (Book 1)

by NYA JADE

The instant Phoebe stepped into the Great Hall, the scent of sweet spices wafted into her nostrils. She stood still, trying to absorb the scene before her. A large, two-story dome glistened at the center of the cavernous room—a glass structure embellished with several golden images of a lion’s head. Countless ornamental glass bottles ablaze with firelight formed a circle around the base of the dome, washing the room in warm light. Inside, long tables, garnished with white moon flowers, had been arranged in three rows in front of a wide stage. The festive tables were packed with hundreds of students whose backs faced Phoebe and Hayley.

Phoebe elbowed Hayley. “Amazing, huh?”

“Unreal,” Hayley gushed. “Now what?”

“Over there.” Phoebe nodded toward the only two empty seats at the last row of tables near the dome’s entrance.

Hayley charged forward, pulling Phoebe along with her.

“Don’t look,” Hayley whispered, “but we’re getting the evil eye.”

“Crap.” Phoebe cringed at the disapproving glare she got from some faculty members. Great first impression, she thought.

“Next,” a commanding male baritone bellowed, as Phoebe and Hayley settled into their seats. “I call before you Xavier Reno.”

Phoebe’s eyes followed an elaborate marble staircase, one of a pair that spiraled upward to a balcony that was situated under the dome’s ceiling and to the right side of the stage. There, a middle-aged man with a prominent aquiline nose and deep sunken eyes stood peering down at the crowd. He wore a purple toga that swathed him in silken waves. From her father’s description, Phoebe knew at once that this man must be Professor Yori, Headmaster of the Campus Below.

Phoebe turned her attention to the stage where a male student draped in an ivory toga rose from a bench. After a nervous glance at a blond, heavyset girl next to him, also in a toga, who gave an encouraging smile, the boy moved forward, tugging up fistfuls of cloth to prevent tripping as he walked. He arrived at center stage, and cautiously picked up a luminous object from a round, gilded table.

Hayley gasped, shifting in her seat for a better view. “Utaviium,” she said, faster than Phoebe could think it. And it was. Thin and cylindrical, Utaviium was a pale blue crystal enchanted to capture and hold a single bolt of lightning. It was beautiful to look at; both of the girls sat transfixed, focused on the frenetic light within the crystal.

“Xavier, show yourself!” Professor Yori declared.

In the moment of those words’ utterance, several things happened at once. The boy’s toga slipped to the floor. He smashed the Utaviium at his feet. A massive wave of energy rippled through the dome, and for an instant, Phoebe was blinded by the intensity of its accompanying light. When her vision recovered, a giant, red falcon stood where the boy had been.

Spreading his bejeweled fingers across the balcony’s railing, Professor Yori spoke down to the majestic bird, “Son of Osiah, rise!” Phoebe watched a pair of iridescent wings unfold sleekly, wings that from tip to tip spanned the width of the stage. The falcon lifted and lowered them slowly. The students erupted with applause as he took silent flight, faltered for a moment, then shot upward to a long perch suspended from the dome’s ceiling by gold chains. All heads peered up as, beating his wings inward to steady himself, the falcon took his place on the perch next to a silver eagle and a black hawk.

Phoebe glanced to her side. She saw Hayley’s eyes ablaze with her own excitement. Never before had she seen the mind-thrilling spectacle of a first time Conversion.

Books in the Phoebe Pope Series:

The Year of Four (Book 1)

The Blood of Kings (Book 2)

Web: www.PhoebePope.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/PhoebePopeBooks

Nya Jade has enjoyed a fun career as a singer-songwriter. Her music videos have aired on the Vh1, BET and MTV networks and she’s opened for some of the biggest names in music. Nya’s music has also received recognition in major publications, including USA Today and the LA Times. She took a break from writing and performing music to write The Year of Four, her first YA novel. When she isn’t writing, Nya can be found hanging out with family and friends, reading or bargain hunting for her next pair of funky shoes. Nya lives with her family in California. 

Connect with Nya at http://www.PhoebePope.com or on social media at:

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