Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway - First We Were IV by Alexandra Sirowy

Hello everyone! I am happy to welcome you to today's stop on the First We Were IV blog tour, hosted by Brittany's Book Rambles! On this stop you will find my review for First We Were IV, along with a giveaway to win a copy of the book and slew of other fun swag - be sure to check it all out and enter the giveaway!

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Huge thanks go out to Brittany from Brittany's Book Rambles, Alexandra Sirowy, and Simon and Schuster for allowing me to be a part of this wonderful tour!

First We Were IV by Alexandra Sirowy

Publication Date: July 25th, 2017

Publisher:Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers 

Goodreads Link: http://bit.ly/2lx6UyI

Synopsis:

A group of friends start a secret society in this out-of-control thriller from the author of The Telling and The Creeping that examines the all-consuming love of lifelong friendship—and what someone is capable of when they’re afraid of losing it.

Izzie loves nothing more than her three best friends, Viv, Graham, and Harry, and the bond the four of them share. And she’s terrified of their friendship falling apart next year when they go off to college. To bind them together, she decides to create that will belong only to them, a special thing that they’ll always share between the four of them. And so they dream up the Order of IV, a secret society devoted to mischief that rights wrongs and pays back debts. At first, it works like a charm—but when the Order of IV’s escapades get recognition beyond their wildest expectations, other people start wanting in. And soon, what started as a game of friendship is spiraling into something dangerous and beyond their control—and before it’s over, they’ll pay the ultimate sacrifice.

Buy Links:  Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository 

Author Bio:

Alexandra Sirowy is the author of the young adult thrillers THE CREEPING, the Bram Stoker Award® Nominated THE TELLING, and the upcoming FIRST WE WERE IV. Alexandra attended a women's college as an undergrad and received her graduate degree in International Studies. When she isn't writing, she loves to travel, read, eat, and get into mischief. She lives with her husband in Northern California.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest

This book is a fantastic summer thriller. If you are at all interested in secret societies, as the characters in this book actually go about creating their own secret society, and let's just say things get a little... intense. I don't want to go into any plot details in this review because so much of the success of this book lies in the sheer surprise of what is going to happen next. 

The four mains characters are Izzy, who is also our first-person narrator, Viv, Harry, and Graham. They are quite an interesting bunch, very diverse in personality but they fit together extremely well. None of them are particularly likable to me, but I think that that worked really well for the story. There was really no black or white in this story -- everyone is some sort of shade of grey, and it's fascinating.

I found myself frustrated with some of their actions or feeling nervous and uncertain about the morality of things they were planning to do -- and honestly, that only enhanced my enjoyment of this book. This isn't a nice, happy book; this is a book that pushes boundaries, will keep you on the edge of your seat, and will make you think hard about what is right, what is wrong, and what you would truly do if situations were reversed. 

Sirowy's prose is beautifully, devastatingly vivid and descriptive and paints a raw picture of teenage years and all that they include, such as betrayal, bullying, heartbreak, and anger. At times, I felt that the actions of some of the character were overly dramatic, but then I remembered my own teenage age years, my own rage and passions about certain experiences and I realized that it was perfect for the story. These are teenagers who want to not only feel as if they are a part of something bigger than they are, but they want to rectify all the wrongs and evils that have taken place in their life, and I think this book was a heartbreakingly accurate depiction of how this occurs and the consequences that can result.


First We Were IV is a perfect mix of fast-pace and thoughtful, which together form a strikingly sharp and captivating narrative. Overall, I've decided to give it four stars!

1 signed hard cover copy of FIRST WE WERE IV

Fujuifilm instax mini 9 Polaroid camera in smoky white (& film) like the one in the book!

Strand of gold stars

FIRST WE WERE IV swag (temporary tattoos & bookmarks)

Evie Seo Designed Tote Bag

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/MTFiZGNkYmMwNjNlZTE2ZGFlYTRmOThmZGMxMjU5OjY3/? 

FTC disclaimer: US entires only. No purchase necessary to enter, giveaway items provided by Alexandra Sirowy.

Tour Schedule: 

Week 1

July 10:  Bookish Lifestyles - Review + Tote Design
July 11:  Brittany's Book Rambles - Guest Post
July 12:  Emily Reads Everything - Review
July 13   Biscotto's Books - Moodboard
July 14:  Forever Lost in Literature - Review

Week 2

July 17:  My Friends Are Fiction - Guest Post
July 18:  Literary Legionnaire - Review
July 19:  The Reader and the Chef - Review
July 20:  Novel Novice - Guest Post
July 21:  Dark Faerie Tales - Interview

Week 3

July 24:  YA and Wine - Review + Guest Post
July 25:  YA Book Central - Spotlight
July 26:  Tales of the Ravenous Reader - Review
July 27:  A Perfection Called Books - Guest Post 

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