Review of Diamond Eyes by A.A. Bell

Overview  

WINNER 2011 ASFF NORMA K HEMMING AWARD for excellence in Fantasy & Science Fiction


SHE CAN SEE THE SECRETS OF THE PAST

                                         SHE CAN SEE YOUR DARKEST SECRETS 

                                         
Orphaned as a child after the bizarre deaths of her parents, Mira has been tormented by visions of ‘ghosts’ ever since puberty. As a carrier of the Fragile-X gene, her eyes have crystallised more than usual, causing her physical and emotional pain. Diagnosed as blind-sighted and institutionalised in the Serenity Centre -- a sanctuary for handicapped adults -- she can see convicts of the past, yet she cannot see any of her real surroundings or even her own body. After a number of failed escape attempts, Mira has regressed under increasing medication to a near-child-like state; paranoid, terrified and unco-operative. Then two medical specialists arrive at Serenity to do a health survey -- while secretly testing new technology that interrogates the human subconscious. The project leader is also selling military secrets, and when he murders one of the bodyguards to cover his crime, Mira is the only witness … 

Add this to Your Goodreads.com Shelf

Recommended: Yes.

                About Diamond Eyes

                Available as: Paperback, E-book

        Buy off: HarperCollins Publishers Australia  (Electronic book through Kobo and Amazon .com ) 

                           Recommended Ages: 15 and Up

          Paperback: 534 pgs.

          Published: November 1st 2010 by Voyager (first published October 2010)

For This Review: *Provided by Author For Review*

            My Star Review   

                                                               
Mira Chambers is classed as a blind and insane inmate at an asylum. She wrestles against the asylum clinic's staff and wont allow anyone to get past her barriers to get to know her. Then,  Ben a new staff helper sees in her something  that can open up and be good. Mira Chambers can be more than that, but nobody besides Ben truly sees that she may just be different than the rest of us. In a way that lets her understand things like no other with her beautiful eyes that grasp details around her that seem vivid to us readers as she describes the world to her. Diamond Eyes has a lot of 

great suspense during moments where we begin to see of Mira's unique condition.  Which is amazing.


What will catch readers attention the most is that the characters are very multi-faceted, in short, they have complex personalities. My favorite were the scientists who were key in the story. They brought a big amount of humor along with the character of Ben who was just as humorous. Mira herself is a very strong-willed but caring person who is new to life outside outside of the cage ,the asylum, is to her. As Diamond Eyes progresses there is a strong sense of mystery as all the characters discover that there is foul play involved over a very important technological advancement. 


Diamond Eyes is not the end, author A.A. Bell,  has just recently released Hindsight which is the sequel. Of all the books to read Diamond Eyes is a fantastic science fiction book with a perfect measure of suspense and romance worthy of a lot of praise as well as recommendation.         

                                          

Overall: Amazing read!

 Genre: Science Fiction, Mystery/Suspense, Young Adult, Adults Should Be Able To Enjoy Too, Thriller

                                      

                             Diamond Eyes by A.A. Bell, Book Trailer

                                                             

            

                                                About the Author 

A.A. Bell is an award-winning best-selling author who has published fiction and non-fiction over the last ten years for adults and children. In 2008, Diamond Eyes, won Highly 

Commended in the Fellowship of Australian Writers Awards (for an Unpublished Manuscript). 


A.A. Bell lives in Queensland with her family, including two teenagers, and a menagerie of four-legged animals.

It’s Monday, What Are You Reading?(3)- August 29

 Hosted by Sheila @ Book Journey 

I recently received a book as a gift from a friend. The title is The Babysitter's Club by Ann M. Martin. Looks ok. I'm halfway done and is sort of coming of age between 4 friends. The girls all have their problems but together they support each other.

Blurb:

The BSC returns in this fantastic prequel from Newbery Honor author Ann M. Martin.

Before there was the Baby-Sitters Club, there were four girls named Kristy Thomas, Mary Anne Spier, Claudia Kishi, and Stacey McGill. As they start the summer before seventh grade (also before they start the BSC), each of them is on the cusp of a big change. Kristy is still hung up on hoping that her father will return to her family. Mary Anne has to prove to her father that she's no longer a little girl who needs hundreds of rules. Claudia is navigating her first major crush on a boy. And Stacey is leaving her entire New York City life behind...

Giveaway Hints #2

 Haven't done this in a while but here goes.
There are tons of giveaways I have come across.

This is me sharing.

ARC Giveaway: Triangles at A Book Lover's Diary

Ends September 2.

ARC Giveaway: Hades at Book Lover's Diary

Ends September 6.

Giveaway of The Near Witch at Best Books

Ends September 5.

 Two Year Blogoversary at The Book Scout
End date- Undetermined


Fantastic YA & Kids Books Giveaway at YA Book Central  


On Goodreads.com:




1. Young Adult Books


2. Ending Soon Giveaways 


3. Young Adult Books  Part 2


4. Urban Fantasy 


5. Non-Fiction


6. Thriller

Summer Giveaway (3 Books, 3 Winners)

Go everyone!

On My Wishlist (1)

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where we list all the books we desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. It's also an event that you can join in with too - Mr Linky is always at the ready for you to link your own 'On My Wishlist' post. If you want to know more click here.




Everneath by Brody Ashton 

                                                                                                        Overview 
Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.

As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's...


Ward Against Death by Melanie Card
                                                               
                                              Overview 
Twenty-year-old Ward de Ath expected this to be a simple job bring a nobleman s daughter back from the dead for fifteen minutes, let her family say good-bye, and launch his fledgling career as a necromancer. Goddess knows he can t be a surgeon the Quayestri already branded him a criminal for trying so bringing people back from the dead it is.

But when Ward wakes the beautiful Celia Carlyle, he gets more than he bargained for. Insistent that she s been murdered, Celia begs Ward to keep her alive and help her find justice. By the time she drags him out her bedroom window and into the sewers, Ward can t bring himself to break his damned physician s Oath and desert her.

However, nothing is as it seems including Celia. One second, she s treating Ward like sewage, the next she s kissing him. And for a nobleman s daughter, she sure has a lot of enemies. If he could just convince his heart to give up on the infuriating beauty, he might get out of this alive...

Hindsight by A.A. Bell
                        

                                       Overview 
From the author of DIAMOND EYES, winner of the prestigious
2011 ASFF Norma K Hemming Award:

Mira Chambers has an infallible gift for solving mysteries (A BRAND NEW CONCEPT IN SUPERNATURAL FANTASY)... but using it comes with a price.Determined to regain her independence after ten years in orphanages and asylums, Mira leaps at the chance to help her friend, Bennet Chiron, an enigmatic ex-con who risked his life to save hers. Mira plans to investigate the murder-robbery that put him behind bars for six years in the hope of clearing his name. But people are turning up dead under bizarre circumstances, and Mira discovers that she′s being hunted by two old adversaries. 

In My Mailbox (5) - August 28

In My Mail­box« is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi – The Story Siren.
 In this meme, we share the books we received for review, purchased, got from the library, traded/swapped, etc. Great way to network your blog with other bloggers and readers. 


This week I've got
                  
                          For Review

            


In Print:
Imprint by Annie Frame
The Quiet Road by Annie Frame

In Print:
Finding Felicity by Monica Marlowe 

                                      

Won In Giveaways

In Print:

Dead Rules by Randy Russell (From Books At Midnight)

Thanks!

   That's about it for this week's books to read and review.

Imprint and The Quiet Road by Annie Frame I'll be reviewing in the near future and going to hold a book/swag giveaway courtesy  of Author Annie Frame and Pegasus Publishers.
 


              Trailer of Imprint by Annie Frame

                       Genre: Horror

       Trailer of The Quiet Road by Annie Frame
                             Genre: Horror

Interview with Kimber An author of the "Ophelia Dawson Chronicles series"

We have Kimber An today. She's author of both Crushed Sugar (Prequel) and Sugar Rush (Book 1 ) in The Ophelia Dawson Chronicles series.


The Book & Movie Dimension Blogger: Tell us about your books available now?

Kimber An (The Author): Crushed Sugar takes place over the first couple of days of school and really sets up Ophelia’s life before she becomes involved with the Newblood Conflict.  It’s a short novella and sets up how Ophelia ended up with the Villain instead of the Hero, even though she’s intelligent and better suited to Adrian.  Tristan is introduced, along with the Newblood (alien/human hybrids) conflict with Oldblood Vampires, though Ophelia remains naïve about it through no fault of her own.  Then, in Sugar Rush we find Ophelia ensnared in a relationship with Martin.  Although she’s desperate to end that, she doesn’t realize that he’s supernatural and using her for her diabetic blood.  Over the course of the story, she develops confidence in her strengths as she discovers the truth, breaks free of Martin, and solidifies her romance with Adrian.  You can find their blurbs and reviews at: 
http://www.kimberan.com/p/about-crushed-sugar.html
and
http://www.kimberan.com/p/sugar-rush-sample-chapters.html


The Book & Movie Dimension Blogger:  For The Ophelia Dawson Chronicles, how many are planned?


Kimber An (The Author): Um…well…I was thinking five, but now I’m thinking four.  The third book, Sweet Bytes, was just accepted by Noble Young Adult

https://www.nobleyoungadult.com/


and I think I’ll discuss that with my new editors.  You see, the trouble is my imagination is like a gigantic warehouse crammed with stuff and I have to go in there and sort things out whenever I write a new book.  Besides the first three books, I have two more solid in my head, but I’m not sure most of the fourth is necessary.  Maybe I can pair down the ‘stuff’ into one large novel.  It’s complicated.  The nice thing about editors is they only see what’s in front of them.  I see the *entire imaginary universe* and it overwhelms me sometimes!  So, an editor can look over what I have and not get lost in the details, like I do. 


The Book & Movie Dimension Blogger:  Books in the works in the future?


Kimber An (The Author): Besides Ophelia’s stories?  Oh, yes, my imagination is crammed full of ‘em.  I could stay busy writing down stories without creating any new ones for at least ten years.  But, I usually do create new stories at the rate of about two a year.  And I love ‘em all, so it doesn’t matter which one I do next.  If Noble says they want a Steampunk, yep, I got one of those! The Mechanical Witch.  Historical?  Well, I have this one about a girl who disguises herself to ride on the Pony Express back in the 1800’s.  I also have a Space Opera I’m still trying to develop my writing skills enough to tell properly, The Star Captains’ Daughter.  I’m sure I’ll be tired of writing stories set on Contemporary Planet Earth by the time Ophelia’s done, so I’m hoping to go with something more out of this world or time period next.  Maybe a Time Travel Romance.  I wrote one called Manic Knight which just narrowly missed out on publication before I signed with Decadent last year.  Maybe I’ll rewrite that.  Wouldn’t take long.  It’s set during World War II, Battle of Britain.


The Book & Movie Dimension Blogger:  Anyone who reads e-books knows about Decadent Publishing. Tell us, please, about your experience with them?


Kimber An (The Author): I had written four novels in four years, revised, polished, submitted, got them rejected a bazillion times by agents and publishers alike.  And then, all of a sudden over the course of about two days, I received contract offers from three different ePublishers.  I liked Decadent’s contract best and chose them.  The first couple of months were hard as I tried to learn the ropes of the editing process as quickly as possible.  Then, I was put with Lea Finley and Leslie Soule (also an author) and everything seemed to click for me.  I understood them and they both patiently explained things in a way that I could understand.  I thoroughly enjoyed working with them both.  Once the first book was released, things got hectic as I was suddenly a published author promoting that and then second book, all while trying to write the third book and raise four children.  Yes, four!  It was crazy.  Things have settled down as half my brood is in regular school and I only have two at home, and I’m more used to my new life.  Still, I have Tendonitis now!


The Book & Movie Dimension Blogger:  Tell us something about your decision on being an author?


Kimber An (The Author): Storycreating is something you’re born to, something that comes naturally, like breathing.  Storytelling takes a lot of learning, practice, and hard work.  I’ve learned that the best authors never stop trying to improve their ability to tell a good story, because it’s not enough to have a good story.  You have to be able to communicate that story to another human being in an understandable and enjoyable way.  And you have to be incredibly passionate about it, because authors don’t get paid much and we have to put most of it back into promo.  Even most Traditional paper authors have to keep their day jobs.  Only a few bestsellers make the big bucks.  The rest of us have to claw and scratch away at the bottom.  So, you really have to love it a lot.  I think being a mom helped a lot with that.  Moms don’t get paid money for any of their hard work.  It’s all about love.


The Book & Movie Dimension Blogger:  What are triumphs and trials of an everyday author?


Kimber An (The Author)



Kimber An (The Author): Trials:   Finishing an edit while Tendonitis hurts and immobilizes my hands (my husband’s getting me Voice Activated Software and a Chiropractor) while my four children scream and throw things in the background.
Triumphs:   Hitting send when I’m done with that editor and having a child show me the book he’s writing so he can be just like Mommy, only his has sound effects and full-crayon illustrations and usually involves lightsabers and the Force.


The Book & Movie Dimension Blogger:   I'm really proud to have you here this Saturday, Kimber. Your book series of The Ophelia Dawson Chronicles is an enjoyable read to be on  anyone's to-be read list.


Kimber An:Thank you for inviting me, Cassandra!  It was a blast.


The Book & Movie Dimension Blogger:  Your welcome Kimber, definitely glad to have you here:)


Readers, Reviews of Kimber An's books.  
                                                                                       Crushed Sugar 
                                                               (Prequel in The Ophelia Dawson Chronicles)
                                                           Review of Crushed Sugar by Kimber An 
                                                                     (At Book & Movie Dimension)



                                                                                      


                                                                                   
                                                                                      Sugar Rush

                                                      (Book 1 of The Ophelia Dawson Chronicles)
                                                        Review of Sugar Rush by Kimber An 
                                                                 (At Book & Movie Dimension)