I am beyond thrilled to be participating in the Before She Ignites blog tour today! This is the first time I’ve ever seen a fantasy novel focus so intently on mental health, and it truly meant the world to me. I cannot recommend this book highly enough! Check out my gif review below and be sure to enter the giveaway!

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About the Book

Before She Ignites (Fallen Isles Trilogy #1)

by Jodi Meadows

496 pages

Expected publication: September 12th 2017

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Preorder: US Amazon | UK Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

Before

Mira Minkoba is the Hopebearer. Since the day she was born, she’s been told she’s special. Important. Perfect. She’s known across the Fallen Isles not just for her beauty, but for the Mira Treaty named after her, a peace agreement which united the seven islands against their enemies on the mainland.

But Mira has never felt as perfect as everyone says. She counts compulsively. She struggles with crippling anxiety. And she’s far too interested in dragons for a girl of her station.

After

Then Mira discovers an explosive secret that challenges everything she and the Treaty stand for. Betrayed by the very people she spent her life serving, Mira is sentenced to the Pit–the deadliest prison in the Fallen Isles. There, a cruel guard would do anything to discover the secret she would die to protect.

No longer beholden to those who betrayed her, Mira must learn to survive on her own and unearth the dark truths about the Fallen Isles–and herself–before her very world begins to collapse.

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 My Review

BEFORE SHE IGNITES is absolutely a game changer in the fantasy genre. I have never before seen mental health as such a focus in a fantasy novel, and it was so refreshing and inspirational. This book is a wonderful demonstration of the fact that there is more than one way to be strong female character. Plus, there are DRAGONS in this book!

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It’s been wonderful to see so many contemporary novels focusing on mental health recently, but this is the first time I’ve seen it focused on to this degree in a fantasy novel. Mira’s struggle with severe anxiety is so important for readers of this genre to see, and I hope to see much more of it in fantasy novels in the future.

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As readers, we have been talking a lot about strong female characters over the past years, and I think it’s absolutely crucial to recognize that strength is not limited only to being a kickass character. In this novel, Mira truly demonstrates the degree of mental strength it requires to cope with a severe anxiety condition.

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The setting in this novel is also quite stunning. I loved the Fallen Isles and thought they made for a beautiful backdrop, and I also felt that the political corruption and machinations added a really fascinating element to the story that I can’t wait to see more of in the next book.

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The story itself was captivating. I loved the pacing and the way Meadows brilliantly blends the past and present timelines. The conclusion of the story was gripping and has me absolutely itching to get my hands on the next book.

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The supporting cast of characters is also fantastic, and there are hints of a sweet romance blossoming that I found absolutely charming.

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This is definitely one of my favorite fantasy novels of the year. It is original and important, and I definitely cannot recommend this book highly enough.

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Check Out the Book Trailer!

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About the Author

Jodi Meadows wants to be a ferret when she grows up and she has no self-control when it comes to yarn, ink, or outer space. Still, she manages to write books. She is the author of the INCARNATE Trilogy, the ORPHAN QUEEN Duology, and the FALLEN ISLES Trilogy (HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen), and a coauthor of MY LADY JANE (HarperTeen).

Website | Twitter | Goodreads

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Enter the Giveaway!

2 winners will receive a copy of Before She Ignites. Open INTL!

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Follow the Tour!

Thanks so much to my friends Helena and Becky from Booknerd Addict Tours for hosting this incredible tour! And to Sarah from the book blog  The Book Traveler for images and Book Trailer. Be sure to check them out as well as the incredible posts below!

Monday 9/4 –TheLifeofABookNerdAddict – Guest Post

Monday 9/4 – TalesofTheRavenousreader– Creative Post

Tuesday 9/5 – BooksAndPrejudice – Review

Wednesday 9/6 – EaterofBooks – Interview

Thursday 9/7 – ForTheSakeofReading – Review

Friday 9/8 – ABackwardsStory– Guest Post

 

Monday 9/11 –MaryHadALittleBookBlog -Guest Post

Monday 9/11 – thatartsyreadergirl.com -Review

Tuesday 9/12  – TheYABookTraveler -Review

Wednesday 9/13 – AThousandWordsAMillionBooks – Interview

Thursday 9/14 – BookCrush– Creative Post

Friday 9/15 – TheReaderAndTheChef– Review

 

Monday 9/18 –  YAandWine – Review

Tuesday 9/19 – TakeMeAwayToAGreatRead – Creative Post

Wednesday 9/20 – AphonicSarah – Interview

Thursday 9/21 – TheKindredReader – Review

Friday 9/22 – ReadWriteLove28 – Excerpt

Friday 9/22 – LoveIsNotATriangle – Guest Post

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Have you guys pre-ordered your copy of this phenomenal book yet? What are some of your favorite novels that focus on mental health?

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