The Holders - Julianna Scott Blog Tour!
Today's the release day, yay!! Congrats Ms. Scott!
Synopsis
17-year-old Becca has spent her whole life
protecting her brother - from their father leaving and from the people who say
the voices in his head are unnatural. When two strangers appear with apparent
answers to Ryland's "problem" and details about a school in Ireland
where Ryland will not only fit in, but prosper, Becca is up in arms.
She reluctantly agrees to join Ryland on
his journey and what they find at St. Brigid's is a world beyond their
imagination. Little by little they piece together information about their
family's heritage and the legend of the Holder race that decrees Ryland is the
one they've been waiting for. However things are not as clear as they once
were, and everyone is in for a surprise that will forever change what they
thought they knew about themselves and their kind.
My Review: 5/5*
*This book was given to me by Strange Chemistry in exchange for an honest review*
I don't even know where to start with this review. This book blew my mind, I couldn't put it down! It is such an incredibly book and a hell of a debut! Congrats, Ms. Scott :). All I can say to begin is thank you for writing this book, and thank you Strange Chemistry for sending me this book. I definitely do not want to give ANYTHING about this book away in this review, meaning it's probably going to be fairly short unfortunately!
The novel's main protagonist comes in the figure of Becca, the elder sister to Ryland, a little boy who has been receiving constant visitors from psychological institutions because of his hearing of voices. Despite this, they are both certain that there is nothing 'strange' going on inside his head. Nothing a psychologist or school could fix anyway! Scott's introduction of her protagonist and her little brother was incredibly compelling. Becca was instantly smart talking, sassy, and certainly didn't put up with any rubbish from the institutions. The sibling relationship is evidently strong and I instantly liked her. It's always so refreshing to come across strong, female figures. Especially ones which are loyal to their loved ones and aren't afraid to stick up for what they believe in - even if it does occasionally get her in trouble.
“You promise? What are we, twelve? Next I suppose you’re going to pinky swear me that this will all be for his own good, and expect me to let you take him?”
- Julianna Scott, The Holders
The eventual persuasion of Becca by Alex allows Ryland to be taken to the school in which he will finally be able to embrace his gift. The arrival of the two siblings at the school throws their world into turmoil as they discover more about themselves and about their family's history than they counted on. They are flung into the world of the Holders - beings which have various supernatural abilities - and are given more responsibility than they could have imagined. Ms. Scott guides us through her magnificently crafted world of magic, conflicts and love introducting new elements such as Sciath's (an object to allow the user to control their abilities), ability-stealing villains and many twists and turns which keep the reader on their toes.
“I wanted you to love me.” He held my eyes for a second then looked back down, his ears on fire. “But on your own, because you wanted to, not because you felt like you had to.”
- Julianna Scott, The Holders
A tale of trust, responsibility and loyalty, The Holders is most certainly a book to read. This is one of the most captivating debut books that I have read for awhile and am in love with it! Please hurry up and write the next book, Julianna!
