A Time to Die ~ Blog Tour/Review

This book, you guys. No promises that this review will be more than rambling about its awesomeness. Also, prepare for links. Lots and lots of links. Yes, of course I expect you to click them all!

~Back Cover~

How would you live if you knew the day you'd die? Parvin Blackwater believes she has wasted her life. At only seventeen, she has one year left according to the Clock by her bedside. In a last-ditch effort to make a difference, she tries to rescue Radicals from the government’s crooked justice system. But when the authorities find out about her illegal activity, they cast her through the Wall -- her people's death sentence. What she finds on the other side about the world, about eternity, and about herself changes Parvin forever and might just save her people. But her clock is running out.

~Characters~

Parvin ~ I related to her. Unlike the "typical" YA heroine, she pulled off the misfit really well. She's only different on the inside; she fits in otherwise. All she wants is to be stand out enough to be remembered, but not in a showy, stuck-up way. Viewing herself as weak, she's a bit of a self-downer, but always moves on and moves forward.

Jude ~ Oh my word. I get the impression not everyone likes this character, but I did!! He wasn't a complete dream or nightmare; he wasn't very good, but he wasn't bad at all! I appreciated that he could be kind, funny, hateful, apologetic, stuck up, and sullen. It made him 100x more real than lots of characters I've read.

Willow ~ The tiny albino girl. I loved her spunk, maturity, adorableness, and compassion. She was able to respect her village's rules and still remain loyal to her friends. I want to be her.

Skelley Chase ~ *shudder* With just a few blatant descriptors, I had a vibrant dislike any time this fellow was mentioned. And I also happened to cast Ben Kingsley in my mind. Don't ask about that one.

Do you know how hard it was to refrain from including Solomon Hawke, Mrs. Newton, and Reid? You gotta read the book(s)!

~Setting~

Being dystopian, it's futuristic America. Except now it's the West and the USE (United States of East). A great Wall separates the two, and no one from either side has a clear idea of what would await them if they (for some insane reason) wanted to make it over. The East is developed, under government control, and "civilized." The West is a wasteland, with presumed primitive culture, if there are any survivors at all.

~Plot/Theme~

Time. I really loved this element, not only as a good storytelling device, but as an ingrained part of society. Parvin finds strength and fear in her Clock and it's all very beautiful. 

Purpose. This is something else Parvin struggles with. She wants to do be remembered, make a difference, and do what she's supposed to. But how is she to know? Her Clock is ticking. God had better stop being cryptic and hurry up if He cares about her at all.

~Overall~

10/10 shrooms. Yep, that's equivalent to 5 stars! Despite what you may think, I do not hand these out like candy, so take me seriously here. ;) Everything was original, well-told, fresh, descriptive, riveting, and completely in touch with me. I loved how Nadine approached weaving Parvin's struggling faith. The book made me cry twice in a three-hour time span, so that alone earns it bonus points. Don't get me started on the cover. It was a mere convenience that the photo size resulted in such glorious formatting ;)

~The Exciting Part~

Why all the hype? Well, besides the fact that it's an awesome book, there are two more in the series. The final book, A Time to Rise, comes out October 14! Needless to say, much of the world is jumping for joy. It's not too late to help spread the word! *insert Nadine wants YOU sign*

• Pre-order!! You can get some awesome swag, I'm told (Just. Do. It.)
• You can include this nifty countdown:

• Review any of the books you've read on Amazon, Goodreads, etc
• Twitter users, join Nadine's Thunderclap event
• Facebook users can attend Nadine's party
• Pinterest users can drool over the boards! (header photo cred)

~About the Author~

Who is this insanely awesome Nadine person, you ask? Here's what she calls her long, boring bio. Check out her website and blog for her fun and quirky personality!

I am an adventurer, fusing authentic faith with bold imagination. I never received my Hogwarts letter, but rest assured I’m no Muggle (and would have been in Ravenclaw House, thank you very much.) This Harry Potter super-nerd has been known to eat an entire package of Oreos (family-size) by herself, and watches Fiddler on the Roof at least once a year. I write about brave living, finding purpose, and other worlds soaked in imagination. My dystopian trilogy (The Out of Time Series) challenged me to pursue shalom, which is now my favorite word (followed closely bybumbershoot.) When I’m not taste-testing a new chai or editing fantasy novels, me and my knight-in-shining armor (nickname: “hubby”) are out pursuing adventures.

~~~~~

Have you read this awesome book? (I cannot wait for #2 and #3.) Please no spoilers from any of the books, so those who have yet to discover this series can relish in the full potential! What are you waiting for? Order the entire series! If not for you, then for someone else (not a hint) :)