Dark Obsession: Eden-South Blog Tour + Giveaway!

Eden-South by Janelle Stalder
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

*Sitting in Stunned Awe*

*Trying to regain the ability to communicate*

I don't know if there are words enough to describe this series accurately. It's exactly what YA fantasy should be like, an amazing array of characters- so there is bound to be at least one that a reader can really identify with and love. It has a heavy helping of violence and touches upon adult themes, but I do not feel it's out of reach or too much for a younger audience.

The story so far has spanned across three amazing books, and keeps surprising me more with each one. There is always some elements that are a bit more predictable, but the ones that you don't see coming (like in this book) really warp your noodle. It can be more of a challenge to keep so many subplots and characters together to keep each book, and the series as a whole, cohesive. The Eden series, and Eden-South really succeeds with this task, and knocks it right out of the park.

Another absolutely stunning thing about these books, just when you've 'assigned' someone as a 'bad guy'- you've accepted it in your head and are ready to 'hate' that character... *BAM* Everything is turned on its head, and you feel for that 'bad' character. In the first book, I was so conflicted because I loved the 'bad' boy the most. This book cements that, and continues this practice with other 'bad guys'. Very rarely have I see this technique pulled off to the degree it is in these books. Except for Aziz, that man (or whatever he is) is a snake and I can't see anything redeeming him in my eyes.

One thing I noticed, a bit different with this, is although Aiden is a HUGE unifying character across the books, this particular book is not really his story. I would instead consider this to be Elisa's and another character's story (I don't want to define the other character, as I feel even that knowledge may be a bit of a spoiler and I wouldn't dream of hindering anyone's enjoyment of this installment of the series.) We still continue with many of the beloved characters and the tension between Wolf and Elisa is taken to an entirely new level.

If you've enjoyed the series so far, this part of it cannot be missed. It was my favorite thus far in the series. Run out as soon as it's available! It's a great book, and series, for older and YA audiences alike!

I received an ARC directly from the author.

No compensation was received, and my thoughts on the book are entirely my own.

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The Eden Series

Eden Synopsis:

Trapped within the cruel world of hormones and bullies, fifteen-year-old Aiden is convinced life has more to offer him. His instincts are proven correct on the night he is awakened by a voice calling to him from outside his window. As he sleepily peers into his yard, his eyes slowly focus on a woman who says she is there to take him to Eden. Aiden is about to fulfill the life purpose he never knew he had.

It is in Eden, a land on the brink of war, where Aiden will finally learn to trust himself and those around him. Accompanied by Wolf, his sidekick Logan, and the beautiful archer, Elisa, Aiden is soon thrust into a battle to save Eden. Meanwhile Elisa, the only girl in the King's Army, is in the midst of her own struggles. Betrothed to a man she has no intention of marrying, Elisa is caught between the need to prove herself and her desire for true happiness. And now that she has met Aiden, she is more confused than ever.

In this action-packed fantasy tale, romance, adventure, and intrigue surround Aiden as he learns just what he is capable of when he discovers confidence and courage.

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Eden-West Synopsis:

New beginnings, new conflicts, and new adventures arise in the second installment of the Eden Series, Eden-West.

Months after his initial journey to Eden, Aiden is learning to cope with his own transformation. His social status has changed, his friendship with his best friend Ethan is in jeopardy because of it, and worst of all, he has heard absolutely nothing from his new friends in Eden. What has become of the world he fell in love with? Are his friends safe? Is the war over? With no answers, and no hope for contact, Aiden decides to focus on his life in his world.

Just as he makes this decision, he encounters a familiar bright light and thinks he knows exactly what it means. Except the light isn’t at all what he expects and neither is the person behind it. When Aiden returns to Eden, it is to a whole new part of that special world, and a whole new set of adventures.

Weeks after Aiden was returned to his own world, Elisa is sent to Nysa, the revered Southern city, to retrieve the one thing she’d rather avoid – Wolf. Captain Turk instructed her to get in and get out - but that is easier said than done. When she finds her missing friend, she also stumbles upon a great deal of trouble. This trouble goes by one name – Markus, the leader of the Sun People.

Follow all your favorite characters as they ready themselves for battle and fight for a world threatened to be destroyed.

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Eden-South Synopsis:
The betrayal that tore a family apart. Two brothers bent on destroying the other. A whole world on the brink of war.
Aiden has been through his second battle in the magical world of Eden. The victory is short lived and Aiden is sent racing toward his friends in the Capital. After being back in Eden with the Riders, he is eager to reunite with Wolf, Elisa and Logan, although he doesn’t realize just what he’s returning to. Surprises await him when he arrives in the Capital; his close-knit group of friends is slowly falling apart. On top of it all, another battle is just around the corner, one that will change everything.
Rain has made her choice, and now she is in some unknown fortress with the feared sorcerer, Aziz. She wants nothing more but to please him, but being his Queen isn’t as easy as she thought. While trying to learn sorcery, and dealing with Aziz’s advances, Rain is finding her new life a bit overwhelming. Just when she thought it couldn’t get worse, she discovers a secret of Aziz’s, and it is nothing she could have expected.
Rose has supported Callum throughout their journey, but now that the final battle is just around the corner she is faced with a hard reality. Everything she has gained with him could be taken away. Is she willing to live the rest of her life without him? Can she just stand by while he destroys everything, including himself? Will he ever be able to find peace? Will she?

In the third installment of the Eden Series fates will be decided, and the battle between
brothers that has been a decade in the making will finally come to an end. Only one of them can be High King.

The battle starts now.

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Praise for Janelle Stalder and Eden-South

“Eden-South is jam packed with heart-stopping action, eye-watering emotion and breathtaking romance. I love this series and I will definitely read it over and over again, it is without a doubt a must-read for everyone.”
Kayleigh Gore – K-Books

“It was my favorite thus far in the series. Run out as soon as it's available! It's a great book, and series, for older and YA audiences alike!”
Alana Rock – Dark Obsession Chronicles

“It’s not often that you want more than to enjoy a book but to crawl in the page and experience it. This is it. The world building is fantastic. The cast is amazing. I’m surely in love with each of the guys in the book…This is just a full body cast. I haven’t met many authors who could write so many characters and you don’t feel cheated that you didn’t get enough of your favorite…The writing is phenomenal and spectacular world building and cast. You won’t be disappointed by this one. Those that love Hunger Games, Game of Thrones, and Divergent will surely enjoy this series.”
Terri – My Book Boyfriend

About the Author

Janelle Stalder was born and raised in Brampton, Ontario. At an early age she developed a love for literature. Her debut novel, Eden, was the first book in a series of four, released in September of 2011. The second book, Eden-West, was released in July of 2012, and the third book, Eden-South was released in March of 2013. The fourth book of the Eden Series, Eden-East, will be release at the end of 2013. She is a strong supporter of other indie authors, and loves to interact with her readers. When she’s not writing, Janelle is at home with her husband, two children, Aiden and Elora, and her two furry children, Alice and Lily. She now resides in the small town in Ontario in her old, possibly haunted, century home.

1 Grand Prize Winner will receive:

1 personalized and signed paperback copy of Eden, Eden-West, and Eden-South by Janelle Stalder

1 Custom Bookmark Inspired by The Eden Series

1 Limited Edition Map

5 Winners will receive:

1 digital copy of Eden-South by Janelle Stalder

1 "Paper Punch" Bracelet Inspired by The Eden Series and signed by Janelle
Stalder

10 Winners will receive:

1 digital copy of Eden by Janelle Stalder

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