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Friday, March 11, 2016

Ivory and Bone by Julie Eshbaugh ARC Review + Giveaway

Ivory and Bone by Julie Eshbaugh
Published by HarperTeen
Expected Publication: June 14, 2016
Pre-Order: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Debut author Julie Eshbaugh’s sweeping prehistoric fantasy—with allusions to Pride and Prejudice—will enthrall readers with high-stakes survival, blinding betrayal, and star-crossed love.

Hunting, gathering, and keeping his family safe—that’s the life seventeen-year-old Kol knows. Then bold, enigmatic Mya arrives from the south with her family, and Kol is captivated. He wants her to like and trust him, but any hopes of impressing her are ruined when he makes a careless—and nearly grave—mistake. However, there’s something more to Mya’s cool disdain…a history wrought with loss that comes to light when another clan arrives. With them is Lo, an enemy from Mya’s past who Mya swears has ulterior motives.

As Kol gets to know Lo, tensions between Mya and Lo escalate until violence erupts. Faced with shattering losses, Kol is forced to question every person he’s trusted. One thing is for sure: this was a war that Mya or Lo—Kol doesn’t know which—had been planning all along.

With riveting action and illustrative prose that leaps from the page, newcomer Julie Eshbaugh will have readers mesmerized.


I stayed up until 4AM in the morning to finish this book, and I have no regrets!




Ivory and Bone is a study in the basic human behaviors. It's a story of family, love, betrayal, revenge, and tragedy. I really liked the characters and found each of their personal stories and backgrounds extremely interesting. Each ones ties together in a beautiful way, until you're left with a complete tapestry of all their stories.



Julie's writing style really shocked me—the main character Kol talks to the reader as if you are the leading lady! I was worried about that at first, but it really worked in this book. I felt like I was a part of the story in a way that no other book has made me feel before. This technique also gives you real insight into Kol's thoughts and emotions, and you feel like you're his confidant. Ivory and Bone is so different from what I usually read but I loved it, and I hope all of you will too!


1) Julie's writing style really took me by surprise. It's been a long time since I've read something written in the second person/first-person storytelling. Julie's style is a creative twist on the traditional second-person perspective. The main character, Kol, speaks to you (the reader) for the majority of the book as if you are the leading lady. I was concerned at first that I would get sick of this—but I didn't! It was just so cool and made me feel immensely connected to the story. And personally, I do not mind feeling like I'm the center of Kol's attention ;D



2) I loved all of the family dynamics. I especially liked Kol's relationships with his brothers and his family in general. It all felt really sweet and well-developed. Julie makes sure that you know each character—their temperaments, feelings, everything.

3) This book is all about the very basic human wants and emotions. These concepts might sound simple, but Julie really focuses on these aspects (such as the wanting a family, recognition, or trust) and makes you see how important they are.


1) You get the sense from the beginning of the book that the plot is leading you up to something big—and it does—but I craved more of it. I wanted more action, more drama.

2) I would have liked it if Kol and Mya interacted a bit more. They have this electric chemistry and I was desperate for more of it, perhaps through additional conversations and scenes together.


"You step out, leaving darkness and quiet, and emptiness behind you.

A void opens up in this room—opens up in my chest—from the lack of you."
"It's odd, I think, how the thing you love most in a person can also be the thing you sometimes wish you could change."
"And so I press on. My arms ache and my shoulders burn with pain, but I press on. I have no other choice. If I stop, I could die.

If I stop, you could die.

The starkness of this truth startles me, illuminates an awareness in me of something I could not—or would not—acknowledge before.

I cannot let you die, because I cannot face a future without you."

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

61 comments:

  1. I'm insanely excited for this book!!! I'm having Julie for a guest post soon-ish so I'm looking forward to it seriously! And your review was lovely!!! It made me more excited!!!

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    1. Thank you! I look forward to seeing this guest post, Julie is awesome =)

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  2. I'm SO EXCITED FOR THIS. I'm in archaeology so it's going to be so interesting to see how prehistory is handled in this book <3
    I read the first two(ish) chapters as an excerpt and I loved the narrative style!
    Thanks so much for hosting the giveaway!

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    1. I think you'll find this book very interesting considering your background in archaeology. Julie's narrative style in Ivory and Bone is outstanding!

      Good luck on the giveaway!

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  3. I can't wait to give this book a read!

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  4. I recently got this one from Edelweiss, so I'm excited to start it after your awesome review! I'm usually not a big fan of second-person POV, but the way you mention it makes it seem intriguing, more than anything.

    - Aila @ One Way Or An AUthor

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    1. Before Ivory and Bone I hadn't read any second-person POV that I really enjoyed but it really works here. I can't wait to see what you think of it!

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  5. I have heard quite some buzz on this book and it sounds like it's well-deserved! Definitely excited now :D

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  6. I'll admit I was uncertain when you mentioned second-person POV even though you clearly enjoyed it which I'm glad, but those quotes have changed my mind and sealed the deal that I need to read this book! Sounds fascinating :D thanks for sharing your wonderful review!
    Enchanted by YA

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    1. Thank you! I'm so glad that you enjoyed my review =) As I said in my review, I wasn't sure how I felt about the second-person POV at first but it was really awesome! I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did.

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  7. I'm so torn about this book. The plot sounds really intriguing, but I can't deal with second person POV. It actually drives me batty! I'll have to think a little longer on whether or not I'll read it.

    Awesome review and epic GIF use! <3

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    1. Believe me, I didn't like second-person POV before Ivory and Bone so you could definitely give it a try before writing it off. It is really used well here because it's more like the main character is talking to you and telling you a story, then "you do this, and then you walk over there."

      I pride myself on my GIF use so I'm glad that you enjoy it xD

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  8. I am intrigued by this one. Thanks for the chance <3

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  9. Ahh, I love second person narrative! It's so refreshing and makes me feel even more connected to the characters. I'm so glad you liked it, and thank you again for hosting this :)

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    1. I haven't read really any second-person narrative that I loved so this was awesome! It made me want to give other second-person POVs another shot.

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  10. The cover and 2nd person narration. I'm sold :D great post!

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  11. Thank you for this opportunity, super excited to read this one!

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  12. Great review! This has been on my list for a bit now and seeing this makes me happy yay good books make me happy!

    And thanks for the opportunity to win a copy :)

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    1. Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it ^_^

      Good books = eternal happiness!

      Good luck on the giveaway!

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  13. Now you've got me so curious about this narrator. I think this is a style I will love. Thanks for introducing me to this exciting book!

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    1. I hope you love it as much as I do! It's my pleasure ^_^

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  14. This is one of my top books of the year I'm most looking forward too. I'm so glad to hear that you liked it. Thank you so, so much for the giveaway and the review.

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    1. I hope that it lives up to all of your expectations, it really is a great book!

      It's my pleasure ^_^

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  15. AMAZING REVIEW, BRITTANY!!! I can't wait to read it :DD I really wanted to read it before, but now that you liked it so much and wrote such a lovely review, I want to read it so much more now!

    Also, thanks for the giveaway! <3

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    1. Aw you're so sweet! I'm glad you loved my review so much *blushes*

      I really hope that you love this book as much as I do. Good luck on the giveaway ^__^

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  16. i am so ridiculously excited for this book! i just can't wait!

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  17. I enjoyed your review. I am so excited to read this one!

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  18. This book sounds so good! And the point of view sounds interesting! I can't wait for this one to come out! I love books that keep you up all night reading! Great review! :)

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    1. It really is good! Ivory and Bone was definitely worth the hours of sleep that I lost haha

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  19. I juuust got approved for this on edelweiss and NOW I'M EXTRA EXCITED! *tosses confetti in the air* Although a little worried about the second person?! Only because I've never really read a book like that...oh wait. Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler was basically a letter so it used "you" a lot, but I'm not sure if that'll be the same as this. XD BUT ANYWAY. I CAN'T WAIT BECAUSE ICE AGE AND STUFF. EEEP.

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    1. YAY that's awesome! Congrats ^_^ Honestly, don't be scared, it's awesome. I have never heard of Why We Broke Up so I'll have to look into it. I hope you enjoy Ivory and Bone!

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  20. Ugh! I need this book in my life! I am really interested in seeing how Julie's writing style works and how that will play into the story. I am glad to see that you enjoyed it! :)

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    1. Julie's writing style is practically revolutionary because it has made me want to read more second-person POVs..though they're most likely going to be compared to my feelings of Ivory and Bone so that's a high standard to meet haha ^_^'

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  21. Thank you so much for this giveaway! The synopsis sounds so interesting so can;t wait to read it.

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  22. HOW have I not heard of this yet?!?! 0_0 This sounds incredible!!! Adding to my TBR immediately!!!! :)

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    1. YAY! You won't regret it ^_^ It really is a great book and I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did.

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  23. EEEEP, I'm now even MORE excited about reading this! I haven't ever read a book in second-person perspective, so I can't wait to see what it's like. And I really hope I love Kol. Also how cool is this that it's like ice age and stuff? MY BODY IS READY. Great post as always, Brit! ^_^

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    1. I can't even think of the last novel that I read in the second-person until Ivory and Bone. I can't say it's a lot of ice age stuff..but it's definitely prehistorical!

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  24. The plot seems amazing! Why didn't I find this sooner?! I literally put every *almost* YA Fantasy Books on my TBR hehe and OMG I'VE ONLY SEEN GOOD REMARKS ABOUT THIS ON GOODREADS AS WELL! Thank you for hosting this awesome giveaway :)

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    1. Maybe because it's a Fantasy world? It's not magical in a spells and powers kind of way but I hope that you read it either way! It's a great read and I think a lot of people will enjoy it ^_^

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  25. I am not really in to books like but that you have convinced me to give this try. I hope this releases in the UK as a lot of the books these days are not which is heartbreaking really, not sure if I can even order through Amazon because of the rights not being sold in the UK :(.
    Thanks for the giveaway though, your the best! ^^

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    1. That's great! I'm glad I was able to convince you, but you should look into Book Depository. They ship internationally ^_^ You can click HERE to check out Ivory and Bone on Book Depository.

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  26. Sosososososo excited for Ivory and Bone! The cover is absolutely stunning and it sounds super interesting! Plus you enjoyed it so I say that's a win...
    Great Review, Brittany!
    =D
    (So many exclamation points xD)

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    1. Aw you're so sweet! I really do hope that you love this book as much as I do ^_^

      (I also use a lot of exclamation points haha)

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  27. Heard great things about this one, thanks for the chance to win it! :)

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  28. I'm just so excited for this book. *adds book on Summer TBR (if I get the copy, which I'm 100% sure it'll happen)*

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  29. Will you announce the winner for this? :)

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    1. For every giveaway I hold, I always ask the winner if it's okay for me to announce that they won. Some people like their privacy and I respect that. In this case, however, the winner has given me permission to announce it ^_^

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  30. This book sound sooooo interesting and I'm thrilled to hear you loved it so much! The 2nd person thing makes me wary but I'm glad it worked for you. Hopefully that means it will work for me too :)

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    1. I was definitely wary at first but trust me, it's good! I hope that you like it ^__^

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