Hello everyone!

Today I am bringing you all another spotlight post for another book I am more than excited to be released – that book is Isle of Blood and Stone by Makiia Lucier. I was so happy to work with Makiia Lucier to give you all a little more insight to the book before its release on April 10th of 2018.

Makiia Lucier’s Twitter: @makiialucier

Her Webiste: http://makiialucier.com/

~ Goodreads Synopsis ~

Nineteen-year-old Elias is a royal explorer, a skilled mapmaker, and the new king of del Mar’s oldest friend. Soon he will embark on the adventure of a lifetime, an expedition past the Strait of Cain and into uncharted waters. Nothing stands in his way…until a long-ago tragedy creeps back into the light, threatening all he holds dear.

The people of St. John del Mar have never recovered from the loss of their boy princes, kidnapped eighteen years ago, both presumed dead. But when two maps surface, each bearing the same hidden riddle, troubling questions arise. What really happened to the young heirs? And why do the maps appear to be drawn by Lord Antoni, Elias’s father, who vanished on that same fateful day? With the king’s beautiful cousin by his side-whether he wants her there or not-Elias will race to solve the riddle of the princes. He will have to use his wits and guard his back. Because some truths are better left buried…and an unknown enemy stalks his every turn.

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     This sounds so unique to most YA, which is something I am seeing in these upcoming releases and am loving. I definitely see authors branching more outside the norms for 2018, so this, I already know, will be a great reading year. Also, I am really interested in the point of view of this book because I believe it is from the point of view of Elias, and I haven’t read many YA novels that are from a male’s point of view.

I had the chance to ask the author, Makiia Lucier, some questions about her upcoming release. Here are her responses:

What was your inspiration for writing Isle of Blood and Stone?

As a kid growing up on Guam, I was obsessed with the Indiana Jones movies. I wore out our VHS copy of Raiders of the Lost Ark. I waited in line, in the sweltering, tropical heat, on opening days for The Temple of Doom and The Last Crusade. The snakes were awesome and so were the catacombs full of rats. But what I really loved was how Indy solved puzzles, turning the clues over in his mind, and using his knowledge of art and history and myth.

Isle of Blood and Stone was inspired by my love of adventure stories with smart, funny, brave heroes. It is the kind of story I grew up loving, the kind I would wait hours outside a movie theater to see.

What was your favorite character in the book to write?

I love Mercedes and Reyna. I have a daughter; writing strong female characters is important to me. But there’s also Elias. I love his laid back attitude, which is in direct contrast to how particular he is about his maps and mapmaking. I love how he carries a compass divider around in his pocket. And leading stones. And a tin of sheep’s fat. You never know when they will come in handy. So maybe no one favorite. More like three.

Are there any books or movies you might compare to your book to give my readers an idea of what your book is like?

Indiana Jones! (See above!)

Lucier also gave me a list of her favorite YA books if you are interested in checking out some of them! (My favorite from the list has to be Illuminae ❤ )

The Sherwood Ring by Elizabeth Marie Pope
A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly
Shadowfell by Juliet Marillier
All the Truth that’s In Me by Julie Berry
Through the Woods by Emily Carroll
Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
Poisoned Apples: Poems for You, My Pretty by Christine Heppermann
The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey
The Hollow Kingdom by Clare B. Dunkle
All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill

How fast did you add Isle of Blood and Stone to your TBR? Did you even finish reading this before you added it? lol. As soon as I read about this book on Goodreads, it was on my to-read shelf. I am so happy I got to give you all a little insight into Makiia Lucier’s new novel, and I hope you all really enjoy it. Strong female leads, and what I am assuming is a beautiful love interest in Elias, made this book go near the top of my most anticipated reads list. Also, when I read Indiana Jones, I got so excited – like actual butterflies in my stomach. I cannot wait to read Isle of Blood and Stone when it comes out this April!

Thanks for reading!

Taylor