Naomi's Reading Palace: Reviews/Excerpt/Giveaway - Myopia and Paranoia by Bisi Leyton

Reviews/Excerpt/Giveaway - Myopia and Paranoia by Bisi Leyton

Welcome to my stop in the Wisteria series book tour, brought to you by Goddess Fish Promotions. Today I have two reviews for you – Myopia book 2 in the series and Paranoia a short story from the series. You can also read an excerpt from Myopia and learn a bit about the author Bisi Leyton. And every person who comments on my post goes into the draw to win a $15 giftcard at the end of the tour.

Title: Myopia

Author: Bisi Leyton

Series: Wisteria #2

Genre: YA Paranormal

Published: November 9^th 2012

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Book Description

Sixteen-year-old Wisteria has embraced her deep bond with eighteen-year-old Bach, a member of a supernatural race called the Family, despite the risk of his family finding out. Should Bach’s people discover his bond with a human, Wisteria will be guaranteed a painful and bloody death—but somehow, being together is more important.

When Bach's father, the powerful Sen of The Third Pillar, hears rumors that his son has been willingly communing with free humans, the Sen decrees that Bach is to name a girl from the Family as his intended and pledge his life to her—something Bach as no intention of doing.

Their bond is tested when empirics, an elite group of Family investigators, are sent to the Isle of Smythe under the orders of Bach’s father to find artifacts stolen by the humans. They’re to find the artifacts at any cost. Among the empirics is Bach’s old friend, the stunning Alba, who has learned about Bach and Wisteria’s secret relationship, and surprisingly accepts this. With no one else in the Family to turn to, she becomes Bach’s ally and confidant, but possibly more.

As the empirics start to take over the town, Wisteria is torn between trusting Bach and the safety of the humans on Smythe. She soon realizes that she and Bach are on opposite sides of the war between the Family and Humans, and there is no middle ground. One of them must choose a side.

My Review

After reading the first book in the series, I hoped that Wisteria’s social life would improve, but during the first few chapters I realised that it hasn’t. The other kids still treat her badly and often bully her. Wisteria has had to grow up quicker than most of the kids her age and the others are still irresponsible, having parties in the danger zone where the biters can attack you…… There is no way I would go out there knowing that there is a possibility of getting infected… But these kids continue to do so and blame her every time they are caught, even though she is only looking out for her brother.

Wisteria is the same quick tempered girl that I met in book one. She is always putting her family first and covers for her brother constantly. Personally, I would’ve smacked my brother if he was as stupid as David, and I still don’t know how she kept her temper but she did.

Bach is as confusing as ever; he is tossing back and forth whether he wants to be with Wisteria or not. There were times I thought he was sweet but other times I wanted to scream at him too. He has a lot of pressure placed on him because of his place in the family but he is doing his best to try and work it out. Even though Bach has changed his views somewhat, he only does so to keep Wisteria happy. He is spending a fair bit of time on earth now, so he is beginning to tolerate the humans for her sake.

Myopia was a highly entertaining read and I loved how well the plot flowed. There was a lot of action and some really intense moments that kept me glued to the pages. The biters (zombie’s) always keep things interesting, but the cocky Familia’s always take the cake. They are arrogant but they have the strength and power that goes with it.

If you love a good Zombie book, I definitely recommend this series. There have been a few more twists thrown in and the series is definitely building. Bisi has done an amazing job of building up the plots and I am keen to see what is in store for Wisteria and Bach in the third book, Aporia which is out now!!

Excerpt

“I promise when I know for certain what is going on, I will tell you and we will help Coles understand, but right now my father has gotten involved and that makes everything more complicated.”

“Why?”

“For one, if he finds out I am communing with a free human.” He shuddered. “I do not know what he would do.”

“Probably not any worse that my mum, if she finds out you’re here right now,” she joked and stopped playing. “She’ll kill you and your dad will murder me.”

Pulling the guitar out of her arms, he put his arms around her.

They’d spoken about the gravity of their relationship a few times, but they’ d never been able to figure a way out that would result with one of them walking away unharmed. The threat wasn’t her mother. Although she didn’t like Bach, since Major Coles had welcomed him into the island, the worst her mother could do was lock Wisteria away.

His father was a different story. Bach’s father was the Sen of the Third Pillar within the Family. He was a powerful leader who on more than one occasion had killed free humans for communing with members of the Family. There was no vice considered more heinous, disgusting and malicious as willingly loving a human. The price of that was blood—human blood.

Both factors resulted in them meeting in secret for the last four months. They settled on the church clock tower, weeks before he’d left for Jarthan.

“Do you want me to tell Coles you’re back?” She stretched herself across the lush rug. “Did you get him a present too?”

“There is a lorry full of ammunition parked at the end of the bridge, leading to town. I am sure Major Coles knows I have returned. I also brought him some medicine he said the hospital needed.” He pointed at several white boxes which sat in the corner.

“Bullets and pills,” she murmured. “Nice. Anything for my mum?”

He looked at her as if she were insane. “She would shoot me in the face if she ever saw me. The only reason she would not torture me is because I saved her life.”

“So basically, you’re saying my mother isn’t good enough for a present?” She glared at him.

Rubbing his temple with his right hand, he tried to explain. “Listen—”

Laughing, she hugged him from behind and laid her head against his back. “I’m joking.”

“That is not funny.”

She kissed the back of his neck, and then lay back down.

“Your mother is…” He turned to talk to her and saw her adjusting her skirt over her legs.

He was taken aback by how beautiful she was. Many people, human or Family, couldn’t see it for some reason, but she was the most beautiful woman he knew.

She finally noticed his stare and bit her plump bottom lip. “What’s wrong?” Frowning, she sat up.

He shook his head. The thoughts he was having were not something he could share with her.

“Are you all right? You’re completely red and you never turn red.” She touched his face tenderly.

It seemed to burn him and he backed away. “I am fine.” The images in his mind changed to what he’d like to do with her. He wondered how many escorts she’d had and what it would be like for him to really love her.

More pictures flashed through his mind and some didn’t make any sense. The last one was of him and the Seven Elders standing over the cliffs overlooking the Astolat River, as his brothers tried to drown a tanned half-human half Famila baby—Their baby. Did this actually occur and he was just now remembering it, or was it a fear he had harbored, should they ever conceive a child? “I have no intention or interest in a physical relationship with you,” he abruptly blurted out. Nothing good could come of anything like that happening between them.

She gave him a blank stare. “Okay.”

“You mentioned earlier that we had not talked about something. I am guessing that is what you meant.”

“Um, yes,” she said quietly.

“It cannot happen between us,” he replied.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Title: Paranoia

Author: Bisi Leyton

Series: Wisteria #2.5

Genre: YA Paranormal

Published: November 7^th 2012

Book Description

Escaping from zombie infested Paris, Zola, Juan, Dale and Cheryl crash land on a mysterious island called the Isle of Smythe. Immediately, the shady residents abduct Zola's boyfriend, Juan, as directed by the dictatorial Major. One by one the rest of Zola's friends vanish and it is up to Zola rescue them and escape the island that is determined to turn everyone in slaves.

My Review

Paranoia is a short story from the Wisteria series. We are introduced to four new teens that crash their helicopter onto the small island of Smythe. What was different about this story was how it alternated between the past and present of how the teens have adapted since they have been on the island. They are curious and want to find answers, but they go the wrong way about obtaining them. They don’t know how to trust people so they get nothing in return.

It is a quick read and I read it in an hour. We see some of the favourite characters from the regular series - Wisteria and Garfield, and the dreamy Simon even makes an entrance. I liked the story and am curious to see whether these characters now have re-occurring roles in the future.

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Bisi Leyton was born in East London in 1978. She grew up in London, Nigeria and the States, listening to the stories life and love from aunts, cousins and big sisters.She lives in London, but has worked around Europe including France, Germany, Ireland, Belgium and the Czech Republic. She has a fondness for reading graphic novels.

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Wisteriabooks

Current Blog: http://bisileyton.blogspot.com/

Old Blog: http://bisileyton.wordpress.com/

Twitter: @bisileyton

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/Bisileyton

BookTrailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_TWuWK_bbY&feature=context-cha

and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvC9iJckrs4&feature=context-cha

Giveaway

Please leave a comment…… ask a question, tell me your thoughts or just say hi!! Every person who comments will go into a draw to win a $15 Gift card!! Leave your spaced out email address with your comment so you can be contacted!