BlogTour&Review&Giveaway!: Nexis by A. L. Davroe

NEXIS
Author: A. L. Davroe
Series: Tricksters #1
Genre: YA, Sci-Fi, Dystopian
Release Date: December 1st 2015

Book Length: 304 pages
Publisher: Entangled Teen

In the domed city of Evanescence, appearance is everything. A Natural Born amongst genetically-altered Aristocrats, all Ella ever wanted was to be like everyone else. Augmented, sparkling, and perfect. Then…the crash. Devastated by her father’s death and struggling with her new physical limitations, Ella is terrified to learn she is not just alone, but little more than a prisoner.

Her only escape is to lose herself in Nexis, the hugely popular virtual reality game her father created. In Nexis she meets Guster, a senior player who guides Ella through the strange and compelling new world she now inhabits. He offers Ella guidance, friendship…and something more. Something that allows her to forget about the “real” world, and makes her feel whole again.

But Nexis isn’t quite the game everyone thinks it is.

And it’s been waiting for Ella.

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Review

Nexis is an unique and imaginative debut that keeps you guessing until the very end, leaves you greedy for answers with it’s many tricks at every turn and an ending that makes you question everything you’ve come to know.

Nexis takes place in city called Evanescence, set in a post-apocalyptic world with two very different type of people: The Augmented and the Naturals. The Augmented are simply flawless. They are able to change their body, hair, even their laugh if they don’t like it and instead become whatever they want to be. Don’t like that pesky mole? Hate having to repeatedly shave your legs? I actually do Wish for different coloured eyes? Gone, gone and gone. All of these alts and mods do not come cheap so only the upper class known as The Aristocrats have them, they're always sporting the latest trends. Now Ella, our protagonist is a Natural and she's staying that way, although this isn't exactly her decision. Her father won’t allow her to have any body alterations of modifications, much to her humiliation. Ella is a Natural living among Aristocrats and this is not easy. The people of Evanescence have a flare for the dramatics when it comes to their appearance; like my review of Winter in regards to the people of Luna, I was again reminded of The Hunger Games. The Aristocrats were much like the people of the Capitol- to fit in you ultimately have to stand out, the more outrageous the better!

Ella’s father is the creator of the hugely popular virtual reality game Nexis. After a devastating accident that leaves Ella handicapped, she withdraws from reality and instead immerses herself in the world of Nexis. It’s here that she discovers that she can recreate herself, be anyone she wants and not be expected to follow in her father’s footsteps but instead to accomplish her own dreams. Nexis provides a much needed and welcome escape for Ella and what starts as a fun, easygoing game soon starts to crumble as reality and fantasy collide.

Ella must complete her mission in Nexis but she soon becomes tangled in a web of lies and must choose a side and pledge her allegiance, but in a world where everything, even the people are a fantasy. Who can be trusted? It took me a few chapters to warm to Ella, her character arc is slow and gradual- at first I felt really sorry for her but once she learned to accept herself and care less about pleasing others I was able to really get behind and root for her. In Nexis she meets the mysterious Gus who takes her under his wing and shows her the wonderful world her father created and how to survive there. She doesn’t care who he is in the real world; Aristocrat or not she has no intention of meeting him in real life after her accident but things don’t exactly go to plan on that front….

Overall this was such an interesting first book in the series, it’s introduces you to this new dystopian world and virtual reality slowly and before long you can’t get enough. However the crown jewel of this book was the ending, it was amazing. I absolutely flew through those last few chapters; it was full of action, mystery and so much intrigue. Identities were revealed, people were betrayed and just when I thought I had figured everything out another revelation managed to turn the book on it's head, which begs the question ‘What the hell happened?’ To say I need answers is an understatement. Nexis shows no signs of slowing down after that explosive ending and I cannot wait to see what Davroe comes up with next!

Giveaway!

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About the Author:

A.L. (Amanda) Davroe writes both YA and adult speculative fiction. She prefers revisionist tales in paranormal, romance, Steampunk, and fantasy. She is the author of Salvation Station (adult psych horror), The City Steam Collection (adult psych horror), For Your Heart (YA Paranormal Romance) and her YA Sci-Fi novel, Nexis, is coming out with Entangled Publishing  December 1, 2015!By day, Amanda lives in Connecticut with her two feline hench-creatures and makes cheese.  She’s a terrible blusher, has a weak spot for cuddly animals, loves Laffy Taffy and Cadbury MiniEggs, and she’s a huge advocate of alternative healing methods.  Amanda also wears purple shoes and corsets…Though not always in the same ensemble.  She’s a Capricorn, a Hufflepuff, a bit gothic, and a few nuggets short of a Happy Meal.

Author links

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