Ohana Reads: Blog Tour: The Vast and Brutal Sea by Zoraida Cordova

Hello!

Welcome to The Vast and Brutal Sea Blog Tour! I will be your host for today!(: Today I have for you Ohana Reads book review of The Vast and Brutal Sea and an interview with the author, Zoraida Cordova, let's check them out!

The Vast and Brutal Sea by Zoraida Cordova

Release Date: July 1st, 2014

Read: July 2nd - 3rd, 2014

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Series: The Vicious Deep #3

Format: ARC Kindle edition, 416 pages

Source: Author in exchange for an honest review/ blog tour

Description from GoodReads:

In two days, the race for the Sea Court throne will be over-but all the rules have changed. The sea witch, Nieve, has kidnapped Layla and is raising an army of mutant sea creatures to overthrow the crown. Kurt, the one person Tristan could depend on in the battle for the Sea King's throne, has betrayed him. Now Kurt wants the throne for himself. Tristan has the Scepter of the Earth, but it's not enough. He'll have to travel to the mysterious, lost Isle of Tears and unleash the magic that first created the king's powerful scepter. It's a brutal race to the finish, and there can only be one winner

Review:

I will save my people, Father. But who will save you?
I had first read The Vicious Deep last summer and adored it! But I was deeply disappointed when I learnt that my library isn't have the sequel, The Savage Blue. Unfortunately I forgotten about the sequel until recently when Zoraida was looking for bloggers to participate in the third books blog tour. It was then that I knew I had to finish the series! I'm so glad I did.
After the agonizing cliffhanger in The Savage Blue, I just hand to get The Vast and Brutal Sea immediately! The book started right after where Savage Blue left off, I hate when they leave a gap between books. It tends to leave me disappointed with how the book begins again. So in this case it was perfect.
Tristan was my favourite out of all the characters for many different reasons. One being his character development, in the first book Tristan had your typical teenage male personality. I could definitely picture him in my high school, Zoraida totally nailed the representation on that one. Through out the books Tristan went from the ' I can do what I want attitude' to a serious personality where he would be willing to sacrifice himself for the people he cares about. A second reason being that this average high school kid had a secret of being a half merman thrown in his face, then was given the responsibility of going into battle of trying to win the throne of his merman king of grandfather. I would definitely had a panic attack somewhere along the way, but Tristan was able to handle it all even the challenges and betrayals he encountered along the way.
This was an breath taking series and I'm happy to have had the opportunity of being on the blog tour. I can't wait to read Zoraida's next book/series, Luck on the Line which is expected to be released November 10th, 2014 by Diversion Books.

Rating:

Favourite Quote:

" It's sure as hell going to be cranky when it wakes up." ~ Tristin

Recommend to People Who Enjoy:

Young Adult, Fantasy, Mermaids, Mythology, Romance

Check out The Vast and Brutal Sea book trailer!

Haven't read the first two books in the series? Check them out!

The Vicious Deep by Zoraida Cordova

Release Date: May 1st, 2012

Publishing: Sourcebooks Fire

Series: The Vicious Deep #1

Description from GoodReads:

For Tristan Hart, everything changes with one crashing wave.

He was gone for three days. Sucked out to sea in a tidal wave and spit back ashore at Coney Island with no memory of what happened. Now his dreams are haunted by a terrifying silver mermaid with razor-sharp teeth.

His best friend Layla is convinced something is wrong. But how can he explain he can sense emotion like never before? How can he explain he's heir to a kingdom he never knew existed? That he's suddenly a pawn in a battle as ancient as the gods.

Something happened to him in those three days. He was claimed by the sea...and now it wants him back.

The Savage Blue by Zoraida Cordova

Release Date: May 7th, 2013

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Series: The Vicious Deep #2

Description from GoodReads:

A storm is coming...

The ocean is a vicious place. Deeper and darker than Tristan could have imagined. Beneath its calm blue surface, an ancient battle is churning —and no one is safe.

In the quest for the Sea Throne, Tristan has already watched one good friend die. Now he must lead the rest on a dangerous voyage in search of the trident that will make him king. But while Tristan chases his destiny, the dark forces racing against him are getting stronger, and the sea witch of his nightmares is getting closer.

Battling sea dragons and savage creatures of the deep, Tristan needs his friends' support. But they each have their secrets, and a betrayal will force Tristan to choose between his crown and his best friend Layla — the only girl he's ever loved.

What book got you into reading?

I don't remember liking to read as a kid. When I was really little I loved having stories and fables read to me, but once I got to elementary school I dreaded reading. When I found The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare, it totally hooked me.

What are your favourite YA books that you've read this year so far?

I haven't read many books this year because I've been on deadline! But from what I got to read I'll say Frenzy by Robert Lettrick (science thriller for fans of R.L. Stein and Michael Chriton), and The Girl of Fire and Thorn by Rae Carson.

What made you decide to write Young Adult rather then New Adult or Adult?

I started writing when I was a teen so my characters were always my age and as I kept getting older my protagonists remained the same teens. In that sense YA chose me.
There wasn't a "New Adult" category before the way there is now. Even in college when I workshopped stories about girls my age, some of the critique was that they should either be aged way up or way down. It's like girls in their early 20s didn't have a voice.

Why Mermaids? What made you want to write about them?

I love the stories of mermaids from all over the world. I grew up on The Little Mermaid. I wanted to write my own version of they myths and explore magical worlds through writing.

Do you have any other books planned now that the Vicious Deep trilogy is over?

I am writing New Adult romance now. My first book Luck on the Line comes out November 10th from Diversion Books. Add it to your Goodreads!

Zoraida Córdova was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador, where she learned to speak English by watching Disney’s The Little Mermaid and Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker on repeat. Her favorite things are sparkly like merdudes, Christmas, and New York City at night.

Follow Zoraida:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway explanation/rules:

Here’s how the giveaway works: All you have to do it pre-order The Vast & Brutal Sea OR order a paperback copy of The Savage Blue from now until July 8th and you’re entered into the contest! After that everything else is bonus points. Just remember to save your receipt to claim your prize! International. ( Click photo for link)
Here are some of the prizes!