The Dark King by CJ Abedi Blog Blitz, Interview, and More!!!

Item: The Dark King
Rating: 5
Author: Lillian

Posted May 6, 2014 by Lillian in Interviews, Reviews / 1 Comment

Today I’m so excited to be participating in the Release Day Blitz for The Dark King by the Abedi sisters. If you missed book one of this amazing series, you can find my review by clicking here. Book two picks up a few months after the events of book one, and you will most certainly be lost if you’ve not read it first! If you enjoy fairy mythology, suspense, and romance you do not want to miss out on this series.

I received this book via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

The Dark King by CJ Abedi Blog Blitz, Interview, and More!!!

The Dark King by C. J. Abedi
Series: Fae Trilogy #2
Published by Diversion Books on May 6, 2014
Length: 300 pages
Reviewing eARC from Netgalley
Rating:

Darkness descends over Roanoke Island in the sequel to the young adult bestseller, FAE.

Devilyn Reilly has crossed over to the sinister world of The Dark Fae, reigning over the realm as its King. He is to fulfill a prophecy--to unite the Light and Dark Fae once and for all, but those who love him now fear that he will never be the same again, that he can no longer be trusted, that every trace of the Light he once had is gone forever.

Caroline Ellis, the final heir of the Light Fae, must learn to survive without the protection of her one true love. She must come to embrace her own strength to evade those in the Dark court who seek her destruction—for the power is within Caroline to use Light to change Fate itself...

Caroline and Devilyn’s chemistry is undeniable. Their destiny together inevitable if only they have the will to overcome The Darkness and The Fates.

THE DARK KING, the second installment of the stunning Fae trilogy propels readers into the mystical and magical world of the Light and Dark Fae, where star-crossed love ignites a battle between two powerful kingdoms, one that can consume everything that stands in its path.

Review

Wow, Wow, WOW!!!! I’m not even sure where to begin. I loved this book so much!

The Dark King by C. J. Abedi is the highly anticipated (at least by me) sequel to Fae and picks up a few months after the events at the end of book one. Devilyn is now the dark king, having banished his father Alderon to a Yew tree and embracing the dark that runs in his blood. Caroline is back to being clueless about her heritage, thanks to Devilyn who erased her memories at the conclusion of Fae, and she’s never been in more danger. Puck, Alderon’s faithful minion, has served his thousand year sentence and is back on Earth ready to wreak havoc on the unsuspecting humans. Oh and he’d love nothing more than to kill Caroline.

I love these characters! Caroline is your typical beautiful, nerdy high school student, or at least she thinks she is thanks to Devilyn’s sly trick. And unfortunately that belief lasts much longer in the book than I liked. I was ready for her to remember sooner rather than later. But she is still a strong-willed, stubborn character and surprisingly she accepts her fate in stride this time. In fact, she’s very accepting with a “what next” attitude. I loved it!

Devilyn’s character struggles this book. After centuries of fighting the darkness in him, he is now the dark king. Everything he hates, he has become, and a part of him likes this, so of course he loathes himself. He refuses to accept Odin’s unfailing love, and he is suspicious of his half-sister who betrayed him in the last book. His character does a lot of growing in this book, and it’s his struggles that make for an emotional ride this book.

Teddy and Tatiana are back in this installment. Teddy is his fun-loving, comic relief self. His easy banter with Caroline and his nonchalant way of acting about….well, everything lends a lighter tone to this otherwise dark book. Tatiana is much more reserved this book. She truly regrets what she did to Devilyn and Caroline and is trying to fight the darkness that resides in her blood. And I for one hope she wins. I disliked her in Fae but her demeanor and character are so drastically different from book one that I felt sorry for her and actually began liking her.

There is an addition to this cast of characters, Rowan. Rowan is a warrior and prince of the Light Fae. We actually meet Rowan in book one briefly, but in this book he has been sent by Dana to protect Caroline now that Devilyn has gone dark. I love Rowan, he is the exact opposite of Devilyn’s character. Rowan is fun, lighthearted, and he brings the real Caroline out of her shell. In fact, Caroline relies on Rowan and she wishes she felt for him the way she does for Devilyn. Love triangle you ask? Sorta. Not quite though and that’s what makes his character even more likable in my opinion.

This installment is so fast paced, much more than book one. I found I couldn’t read fast enough to keep up with the suspense! Between Puck’s antics and Katya’s jealousy, Devilyn and Caroline couldn’t get a break. The majority of the action takes place in the last half of the book, when the entire junior class is on a week long camping trip. Once I hit the main action, I couldn’t set the book down and finished it in just over a day.

But this book isn’t all suspense. The turmoiled romance between Devilyn and Caroline is featured throughout the book. This back and forth on Devilyn’s part of saying he doesn’t want her and hurting Caroline so she won’t want him when in reality she is all he wants/needs. And Caroline so angry with him, yet so in love that she is willing to do whatever it may take to have that once in a lifetime love. Their trials reminds me a lot of the song If I Never Knew You from Pocahontas, corny I know, but those first few lines fit Devilyn and Caroline perfectly.

I have no complaints about this book, no dislikes. That’s a first for me! Even the major (and I mean that!!!) cliffhanger ending, I didn’t hate. In fact, it just makes me want book three even more. I guess I’ll wait a year like everyone else. If you enjoyed book one or enjoy fairy mythology blended with real historical facts, a little romance, and a lot of suspense, I highly recommend this book/series. You won’t be disappointed!!!

Interview with the Authors

Lillian: Thank you Jasmine and Colet for being here today! I know you have a busy day what with the release of The Dark King so I’ll get us started. Tell me a little about yourselves. You know, what do you do when you’re not writing an amazing YA series?

Jasmine: I’m pretty much a workaholic. I work in television as an entertainment attorney and am currently overseeing a variety of shows like Cutthroat Kitchen with Alton Brown, Naked After Dark on Discovery which is the talk show that follows Naked and Afraid and a few others. I also own a cosmetic company called Generation Klean that I started with my best friend from law school. The products we sell have been featured on The Doctors and Dr. Oz’s program and are natural and free from toxins and a line that I’m really proud of. In my spare time, I enjoy hanging out with my incredibly supportive family and friends.

Colet: I would have to second Jasmine’s answer. I recently published my first romance novel, MAD LOVE and am currently working on book 2 for that. I’m also an executive producer on a nationally syndicated television show, Unsealed: Alien Files. I have a lot of projects in development, one at HBO, one at E! that I’m super excited about. And when I have spare time I like to hike, do pilates and read… I so love to read.

Lillian: Wow! You are busy ladies!! So what inspired you to become writers?

Jasmine: My sister and I have very creative parents. Our mother is an artist in the broadest sense of the word, and our father works as an environmental consultant who has invented many things. So I guess writing or some form of creativity was always in our genes. We wrote our first novel, some would call it a ya romance, called The Promise when we were in our late teens. To say that it needs a little work would be an understatement.

Colet: I knew I wanted to write when I was 13. I probably knew before that but I guess “the call” came when I was in the library and checking out a million romance novels and just thought… I want to do this someday. And I’m eternally blessed that I actually am.

Lillian: As are we Colet. Were there any books or authors that influenced you growing up?

Jasmine: Growing up, I was obsessed with Judy Blume books. I actually can’t wait for my daughter to be old enough to read them. I guess it was Judy Blume (and Jane Austen) who set the stage. When I have time to read now, I read a lof of books in the ya genre so I can’t say that one particular book has recently influenced me. But I will say that if I’m going to sit down and read, it’s going to be something that puts a smile on my face.

Colet: Scott O’Dell, Island of the Blue Dolphins. I think I thought I was Karana.

Lillian: I was a Blume girl as well, but what girl isn’t? Fae is such a unique retelling fairy mythology, and I love that you blended it so well with the history of the Lost Colony. Where do you get your ideas from?

Jasmine: They can come at any time, from a song, when I’m on a walk, in a dream. Ideas are everywhere, you just have to pay attention.

Colet: I agree with Jasmine, they can come from anywhere. I dream a lot of my ideas and have finally gotten into the habit of waking up and writing them down.

Lillian: Is there anything in your books that’s based on real-life experience or is it purely imagination?

Jasmine: I don’t think there’s anything that I’ve personally experienced, so I would say purely imagination. I’ve definitely experienced the emotions in the book (e.g., having a crush on someone, embarrassment in high school, etc. etc.). So I can definitely relate on many levels.

Colet: I will say that I was lucky enough to go to the Hill of Tara in Boyne Valley, Ireland and I did feel a mystical connection to that land. The Stone of Destiny didn’t light up but I was there over New Years and it was so incredibly special. I can’t wait to go back.

Lillian: One of my favorite parts in the series so far, comes during book one and it’s the back and forth banter between Teddy and Caroline. What were your favorite parts to write?

Jasmine: I loved writing the high school dance scene, perhaps because it takes me back to high school, although I have to say that I’m still trying to forget some of those days. That first dance, those first moments standing in someone’s arms, the jittery feeling in your stomach, never wanting the song or the night to end. Those moments that seem to last a lifetime and ones that stay with you forever.

Colet: I loved writing the scene where Caroline confronts Devilyn in the Forest of Magik. She is so strong and there is all this magik around her that she has to just face, I loved it. And of course, their chemistry is palpable.

Lillian: I loved that scene too! There wasn’t much I didn’t love about your series. But if you could go back and do it over, is there anything you would want to change?

Jasmine: I’m honestly very pleased with how they turned out so far.

Colet: Nothing.

Lillian: I completely agree 🙂 Now I would love to hear more about Famous’s back story because it seems there is more to him than meets the eye. Is there a character or theme you would like to revisit?

Jasmine: Not anything I’d like to go back to, but one that I really enjoyed was in FAE. I really loved the scene in Caroline’s English class where she presents her paper and it’s basically about her experience meeting Devilyn. I smile every time I read it.

Colet: I wouldn’t mind going back to see when Tara and Alderon first met. Would like to see the real life chemistry that began it all.

Lillian: Jasmine, I loved that scene. I laughed out loud reading it and read it aloud to my husband who also laughed. It’s similar to what happened between my husband and me. What’s up next for the Abedi sisters?

Jasmine: Well we are definitely gearing up to write the third novel in the Fae Trilogy, but aside from that and my other projects I have a television project in the works, and another contemporary romance novel that I’m working on. Of course we are also in pre-production on the FAE movie with Ridley Scott’s company, which is something that is very exciting.

Colet: I’m working on book 2 for Mad Love and also a fantasy YA novel that I’ve been working on. I have a few tv shows in development so been pushing those forward and yes, the movie with Ridley Scott Films. It is a really exciting time.

Lillian: Wow! Again you are busy ladies! And Ridley Scott?! How exciting is that!! Can’t wait to see Devilyn and Caroline on the big screen 🙂 Obviously there’s been a lot of praise for your books, but with anything that is put out for the world to see you get criticism. What is some of the hardest criticism you’ve faced now that you are published authors?

Jasmine & Colet: With anything that is placed out into a public forum there are going to be people who criticize your work and people who adore it. And honestly, everyone is entitled to their opinion, so we try very hard to not focus on negative opinions. Although there have been some that were actually very helpful. We’ve also had so many amazing compliments, anywhere from “This is the best book I’ve read” to “Because of your success I’m going to try and write my own book.” When you read compliments like that it really give us the fuel we need to keep going.

Lillian: Love hearing that! Do you have any advice you’d like to share with aspiring writers?

Jasmine: Don’t wait, just start typing….

Colet: Believe – I read somewhere if you take the leap of faith there will be a net to catch you.

Lillian: (((smiles))) Is there anything you would like to say to your fans?

Jasmine & Colet: We are so grateful to them. They are such an amazing group and they really energize us every day with every tweet, like, comment etc. I can’t begin to tell you how lucky I personally feel to have them all on our side. It’s beyond flattering and so humbling. We are truly indebted to them.

Lillian: Now for the hard questions (((deadpans)))…..Favorite Color?

Jasmine: Navy

Colet: Blue

Lillian: Favorite TV Show?

Jasmine: right now, Game of Thrones, before Josh Lucas left, The Good Wife (still devastated over it btw)

Colet: Game of Thrones

Lillian: Favorite Movie?

Jasmine: Pride and Prejudice

Colet: Last of the Mohicans

Lillian: Favorite place to write?

Jasmine: In my room sitting at my desk, coffee in hand.

Colet: Family room

Lillian: If you could only choose one book, what would it be and why?

Jasmine: Pride and Prejudice. Darcy is where it all began….

Colet: is non-fiction okay? Lol. It would have to be Many Lives, Many Masters by Dr. Brian Weiss. I’m obsessed

Lillian: Last question, and possibly the most important one….what brand of cereal best describes you and why?

Jasmine: Honey Bunches of Oats…I enjoy so many different things (especially with my career) and I can never really pick one. I need to try everything! I’m also “oh so sweet”

Colet: Corn Pops – tastes so good. I like to pop around and I can’t stop and I think that describes my personality. I just have to keep going and going… kind of like the energizer bunny.

Lillian: Thank you ladies for taking time out of your busy day to be here! And readers, check below for your chance to win a copy of their newest book The Dark King.

About C. J. Abedi

CJ Abedi is a pen name for the sister team Colet and Jasmine Abedi.

Colet has been an entertainment industry executive for the past ten years. During her tenure in the industry Colet has worn many different hats, as former Vice President of Development for ITV Studios, Executive Producer for many programs including Unsealed Conspiracy Files, Unsealed Alien Files, and Posh Tots, and Head Writer for a division of Fox for programs such as American Heiress and Fashion House. She also recently completed the feature film Five Souls. Colet grew up in California and graduated with a B.A. in English Literature at the tender age of 19. Colet currently lives with her husband and three dogs in Los Angeles, California.

Jasmine Abedi is an entertainment attorney having worked with entertainment powerhouses such as Fox, NBCUniversal, ABC, MTV and E! for the past 14 years. Jasmine has worn many different hats in the entertainment industry, with Executive Producer credits for the programs Posh Tots and the pilots Club Bounce (TruTV), Divas (VH-1), Life With The Clarks (CMT). In addition to writing, Jasmine, partnered with a law school friend to create the natural cosmetic company Generation Klean, Inc. Their products can be found at major retailers nationwide. Jasmine currently lives with her husband and daughter Ella in California.

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Giveaway!!!

Diversion books and the Abedi sisters have been gracious enough to offer not one but THREE ebook copies of The Dark King. Enter below for your chance to win! Giveaway ends 5/13 at midnight. Winners will be contacted by me within twenty-four hours of closing.

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