First We Were IV Blog Tour (Review + Giveaway!)

Tuesday, July 18, 2017

First We Were IV by Alexandra Sirowy
Publication Date: July 25, 2017
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers 

Synopsis: A group of friends start a secret society in this out-of-control thriller from the author of The Telling and The Creeping that examines the all-consuming love of lifelong friendship—and what someone is capable of when they’re afraid of losing it.

Izzie loves nothing more than her three best friends, Viv, Graham, and Harry, and the bond the four of them share. And she’s terrified of their friendship falling apart next year when they go off to college. To bind them together, she decides to create that will belong only to them, a special thing that they’ll always share between the four of them. And so they dream up the Order of IV, a secret society devoted to mischief that rights wrongs and pays back debts. At first, it works like a charm—but when the Order of IV’s escapades get recognition beyond their wildest expectations, other people start wanting in. And soon, what started as a game of friendship is spiraling into something dangerous and beyond their control—and before it’s over, they’ll pay the ultimate sacrifice.

Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2lx6UyI

ABOUT THE AUTHOR



Alexandra Sirowy is the author of the young adult thrillers THE CREEPING, the Bram Stoker Award® Nominated THE TELLING, and the upcoming FIRST WE WERE IV. Alexandra attended a women's college as an undergrad and received her graduate degree in International Studies. When she isn't writing, she loves to travel, read, eat, and get into mischief. She lives with her husband in Northern California.

THE REVIEW

First We Were IV was a dark and engaging read from Alexandra Sirowy. As someone who doesn't normally read books in this genre, I was extremely surprised to find that not only did I like this book, I LOVED it.

Sirowy managed to grab my attention from the start and never let go. Although immediately thrown into the thick of things, Sirowy presents it in a way that intrigues rather than confuses. Once engrossing the reader, Izzie's narrative rewinds to the very start of everything and brilliantly leads back to that last moment, intwining the plot with various flashbacks, recordings, and other tidbits that added a little extra oomph to the story. Although I haven't read a lot of novels like this one, I feel like it's easy to mess up with this type of storytelling method, but Sirowy manages it with grace and ease, with great transitions and precision.

I was fascinated by Izzie and her friends' attempt at a last hurrah before college. While there were elements of the group and some actions that freaked me out, the bond shared between the members was unbreakable. The dynamic was so interesting and the characters felt so real and flawed and wonderful. And surprisely, they also felt kind of innocent? Even though some of their actions definitely were not, their hearts were often in the right place, in their own twisted way.

I don't want to talk about the plot since even the tiniest bit might give something away, but I will say that Alexandra Sirowy definitely threw me for a loop with this one. Although I don't read many mysteries or thrillers, when I do I usually see things coming or have at least a vague sense of what is going on. This book was different though because I never anticipated ANYTHING.

Also, a bit of a side-note but this book also had so many good quotes. SO MANY. I compiled a list of some favorites for the other tour back in March/April and I HAD SO MANY LINES HIGHLIGHTED AND HIGH-KEY STRUGGLED TO NARROW IT DOWN TO JUST 10. But I digress.

Ultimately, First We Were IV was an unexpected gem for me. I highly recommend people give it a try, even if it's not a genre they usually read because they may be pleasantly surprised. I know I was.

MY RATING: 4 stars




THE GIVEAWAY


 FTC disclaimer: US entires only. No purchase necessary to enter, giveaway items provided by Alexandra Sirowy.


DON'T MISS THE REST OF THE TOUR!

Week 1
July 10:  Bookish Lifestyles - Review + Tote Design
July 11:  Brittany's Book Rambles - Guest Post
July 12:  Emily Reads Everything - Review
July 13   Biscotto's Books - Moodboard
July 14:  Forever Lost in Literature - Review

Week 2
July 17:  My Friends Are Fiction - Guest Post
July 18:  Literary Legionnaire - Review
July 19:  The Reader and the Chef - Review
July 20:  Novel Novice - Guest Post
July 21:  Dark Faerie Tales - Interview

Week 3
July 24:  YA and Wine - Review + Guest Post
July 25:  YA Book Central - Spotlight
July 26:  Tales of the Ravenous Reader - Review
July 27:  A Perfection Called Books - Guest Post 
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