Friday, February 1, 2013

Giveaway: "Order of Darkness: Changeling" By: Phillipa Gregory

Order of Darkness
Book One: Changeling
By: Phillipa Gregory

Dark myths, medieval secrets, intrigue, and romance populate the pages of this first in a four-book teen series from the #1 bestselling author of The Other Boleyn Girl.
The year is 1453 and all signs point to it being the end of the world. Accused of heresy and expelled from his monastery, handsome seventeen-year-old Luca Vero is recruited by a mysterious stranger to record the end of times across Europe. Commanded by sealed orders, Luca is sent to map the fears of Christendom and travel to the very frontier of good and evil.

Seventeen-year-old Isolde, a Lady Abbess, is trapped in a nunnery to prevent her from claiming her rich inheritance. As the nuns in her care are driven mad by strange visions, walking in their sleep, and showing bleeding wounds, Luca is sent to investigate and driven to accuse her.
Forced to face the greatest fears of the dark ages—witchcraft, werewolves, madness—Luca and Isolde embark on a search for truth, their own destinies, and even love as they take the unknown ways to the real historical figure who defends the boundaries of Christendom and holds the secrets of the Order of Darkness.

Visit the Official Site

Watch the Book Trailer
Check out Goodreads

About the Author
Philippa Gregory is the author of several internationally bestselling novels, including The Other Boleyn Girl and The White Queen, and is a recognized authority on women’s history. She lives in the north of England with her family and welcomes visitors to her website, PhilippaGregory.com. Order of Darkness: Changeling is her first novel written for teens.






My Thoughts
     I am a Young Adult & Adult Services Librarian in my real life and I make it no secret that I'm always on the lookout for great YA fiction. Today's teens seem to want something different, they want stories about their characters going on a journey. Throughout the Hunger Games trilogy, Katniss had both a physical and metaphorical journey to find herself and save her world. As I was reading Changeling I couldn't help but think about journeys and where we find ourselves at the end of the day.
     I think the synopsis does a wonderful job of describing the story, so I'm going to focus on the characters and the world Ms. Gregory has created. As I was reading, I felt myself becoming immersed in the world of the 1400's. I enjoyed how the characters seemed to blossom as the book advanced. Isolde and Luca both seemed to grow and change, which appealed to me and I can see appealing to teens. Set in an interesting setting, the unusual time period works perfectly for the novel and the characteristics of the characters.
     Philippa Gregory has a distinct voice in historical fiction which I love. Whenever I read her, I can almost always tell its her just by the tone in her writing. Her tone is prevalent within Changeling, which is a plus for both teens and adults reading this new series. I know several readers who are hesitant when authors change genres, almost as if they were jumping ship, but that isn't at all the case here.
     All in all, I can see the Order of Darkness becoming a huge series in both Young Adult and Adult fiction. I enjoyed the adventure but I think what I'm most excited about is the sequel, Stormbringers, coming out June 2013. When I finished with Changeling, I couldn't wait to see what comes next. Crossing my fingers for a movie adaptation, be sure to check out Changeling for adventure, a bit of mystery and the beginning of a wonderful new series.

Book Details
Publisher: Simon Pulse
# of Pages: 256
Date of Publication: May 24, 2012
ISBN: 9781442453449
Source: Publisher 

Giveaway
Would you like a chance to read Changeling for yourself? Simon Pulse is giving away TWO paperback copies to lucky commenters! Comment away until February 4th where two people will be chosen at random to win :) Be sure to leave your e-mail and say thanks to Simon Pulse!

25 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. I would love a chance at reading this book. It looks like the start of a fantastic series. While I am not so familiar with the era, it is very appealing to me for that reason. Thank you kindly.

    (Forgot my email: freda.mans[at]gmail.com)

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  3. Looking for a new book to read, hope I win!! :)

    courtney.mallory@hotmail.com

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  4. I would like to thank you so much for this fantastic giveaway! As an avid reader of historical fiction and also a lover of the YA genre, i am SO excited about Philipa Gregory's new book - which sounds amazing! It is so great to hear her doing something 'new' and catering to the younger reader as well.

    I would really love to have the chance of reading this, thank you SO much. x

    Email: lfountain1(at)hotmail(dot)co(dot)uk

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  5. Thank you for the giveaway! I've been a Philippa Gregory fan for a long time, I can't wait to read this book!
    Casey Mead
    Caseycmead@gmail.com

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  6. Thanks so much, Simon Pulse!!! I would love to read Order of Darkness!! I love the sounds of the Lady's problems! Make for what sounds like an amazing read!! Philippa Gregory is a fantastic author and so hope I win! This is super exciting and right up my alley! The cover is pretty too!!

    Fingers crossed!

    >.<

    My email: mrsjtucker2012@hotmail.com

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  7. Thanks simon. I would love to read a new book by an author that is new to me.
    Here is my email:
    Millen.margareta@gmail.com

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  8. Thanks simon. I would love to read a new book by an author that is new to me.
    Here is my email:
    Millen.margareta@gmail.com

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  9. Thanks simon. I would love to read a new book by an author that is new to me.
    Here is my email:
    Millen.margareta@gmail.com

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  10. I love Philippa Gregory and would love to read this book. Thanks Simon Pulse!
    mommybloggingfun@gmail.com

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  11. It seems like a really interesting book. I would love to read it. I wonder what truths the pair of them will find together, and if it the truth they are looking for! Thank you Simon Pulse. :)

    Reneelynn.c@gmail.com

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  12. I would absolutely love to read CHANGELING thank you. I adore Phillipa Gregory.

    Thank you Simon Pulse.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  13. I think I have read almost all of Phillipa Gregory's books. I would love to win this new one. Thanks Simon Pulse for the opportunity.

    melaniehope66@hotmail.com

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  14. Awesome giveaway! Sounds like a good read. Thanks Simon Pulse!

    MamaVioletAK at gmail dot com

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  15. I would love to have a chance to win this book as I'm a big YA fan. When I first read the title I thought about King Arthur :)) Do not ask me why :) And historical YA books are really interesting, they just fascinate me.
    And thanks for Simon Pulse for the chance to win this awesome book.
    andd.deea@yahoo.com

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  16. Thanks for the giveaway! I love Phillippa Gregory! I've read almost all of her books. I do have to admit that "The Other Boleyn Girl" is still my favorite!
    mestith@gmail.com

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  17. Oh, I'd love to win this. I've been dying to read it since it came out and my library hasn't ordered it. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  18. I love her books this one looks amazing!

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  19. This is a great giveaway. I have read a few of her books and absolutely enjoyed them.

    exploringallgenres@gmail.com

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  20. I love Philippa Gregory!! The Other Boleyn Girl is one of the most memorable books I've ever read - loved it! It's one of the few book I've read more than once. Thanks, Simon Pulse!

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  21. I've liked several of her adult novels, so I'm curious to see what she'll do with a YA book. Thanks for the chance to win!

    maurapedia@gmail.com

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  22. Thanks so much letting me know about this one. I've enjoyed so many of Gregory's books! Hopefully this is my next read :)

    readerrabbit22 at gmail.com

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  23. Thanks for letting me know about the giveaway. This sounds like an enjoyable read!

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  24. Thanks for informing me about this giveaway!
    jtoshieva@aol.com

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  25. I love Philippa Gregory! Looking forward to my first time to read her young adult fiction.

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