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Monday, March 27, 2017

First We Were IV Blog Tour: Excerpt + Giveaway!



Publication Date: July 25th, 2017
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers 
A group of friends start a secret society in this out-of-control thriller from the author of The Telling and The Creeping that examines the all-consuming love of lifelong friendship—and what someone is capable of when they’re afraid of losing it.

Izzie loves nothing more than her three best friends, Viv, Graham, and Harry, and the bond the four of them share. And she’s terrified of their friendship falling apart next year when they go off to college. To bind them together, she decides to create that will belong only to them, a special thing that they’ll always share between the four of them. And so they dream up the Order of IV, a secret society devoted to mischief that rights wrongs and pays back debts. At first, it works like a charm—but when the Order of IV’s escapades getrecognition beyond their wildest expectations, other people start wanting in. And soon, what started as a game of friendship is spiraling into something dangerous and beyond their control—and before it’s over, they’ll pay the ultimate sacrifice.
Alexandra Sirowy is the author of the young adult thrillers THE CREEPING, the Bram Stoker Award® Nominated THE TELLING, and the upcoming FIRST WE WERE IV. Alexandra attended a women's college as an undergrad and received her graduate degree in International Studies. When she isn't writing, she loves to travel, read, eat, and get into mischief. She lives with her husband in Northern California.
Connect with Alexandra: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest
Disclaimer: All content directly from First We Were IV (such as quotes and excerpts) is taken directly from an advanced reader's copy of the book. Therefore, it is not to be separately quoted from due to the fact that it is not in its final publication form.
     By the time the police arrived, there were three of us left. Three originals. Three best friends. Architects of what was once a secret society.
     
     The difference between leaders and initiates was evident. We designed it that way, dictated 
that initiates wore the white of sacrificial lambs and us bloody red. No confusion over who appeared to be in charge.

     There was a chaotic minute under the star-choked sky. Volleying accusations and bodily threats. I tried to kick out of the arms of an officer because I still hadn’t had my fill of revenge. Never would I. And you know, the dagger tipped in blood didn’t exactly help our case for looking faultless.

     They herded the initiates into a line, ordered them to keep their mouths shut. Still, those kids, those snakes, whispered stories and secrets in the way the dying confess, anticipating forgiveness. Good little boys and girls, eyes innocent saucers, except they’d terrorized a whole town.

     Our dagger lay a little outside the ring of fire. There was the truth serum, a few muddy, crimson sips they’d dredge up from the bottle to test. And the idol on a pile of rocks, her smile calling out from on top of her burial mound. No sense would be made of her origins.

     Police circled the meteorite, probing the scene, coming up short in front of us three, searching faces for clues. Accident or murder.

     They would ask the wrong questions later on, after the ambulance left without its sirens wailing, when the three architects and our six recruits were in the police station.

     There was lots of hand-wringing and Make me understand. Parents arrived. Our initiates had been shaking their fists and snarling at authority just an hour before. The rebellion had drained out of them and they buckled with relief at the sight of their moms and dads. I didn’t acknowledge mine. All the adults needed help understanding how the night happened. 
     
     "October happened because September did.

     
     An officer warned me to stop being snarky. 

     
     "I’m not," 
I whispered, voice all cried out. 
     
     "Then answer,
he demanded.
     
     "Because August. Because July. Because June. I can keep going if you need me to."


     That was the only answer they’d get from me. Afterward, I stopped talking. For a few weeks. I sat in my room, on the top of my desk, watching the Pacific battle the shore. I sketched the four of us. Together. Hardly needing to watch the progress of my pencil. There was something unnerving in our eyes when the pictures were done. A glimmer of foreshadow that I hadn’t noticed was present before. Had it been? My best friends. The loves of my life. Strangers. Reeling. Ferocious.

     I held my tongue and the lesson sunk in.
     
     No matter how much you see, there are bottomless seas you don’t.

     
     What I am certain of is the heart of it.

     
     First we were four.

   
     Now we are three. 
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Week 1
March 27: Brittany's Book Rambles - Intro Post + Excerpt
March 28: YA and Wine - Most Mischievous YA Characters
March 29: Rattle the Pages - Nail Art
March 30: Book Nerd Addict - Inventing A Secret Society
March 31: Fables Library - YA Books with Secret Societies

Week 2
April 3: Emily Reads Everything - Fancast
April 4: The Eater of Books - History of Secret Societies
April 5: It Starts At Midnight - Author Guest Post!
April 6: BookCatPin - Mystery YA List
April 7: A Book and a Cup of Coffee - Moodboard

Week 3
April 10: The Book Buzz - YA Thrillers You Need to Know About
April 11: The Candid Cover - Bookworm Initiation Quiz
April 12: Girl in the Pages - Book Recs for First We Were IV Characters
April 13: Stories and Sweeties - Author Guest Post - Story Behind the Title
April 14: Little Lillie Reads - Playlist

Week 4
April 17: Literary Legionnaire - Favorite Quotes
April 18: Chapter by Chapter - Author Guest Post: Secret Society Initiation Rituals
April 19: Tales of the Ravenous Reader - Secret Societies You Never Knew Existed
April 20: YA Book Central - Author Guest Post: 3 Favorite Books About Secret Societies
April 21: The Bookish Feels - Author's March Favorites

Week 5
April 24: Waiting For Wentworth - Author Guest Post: Secret Society Rules
April 25: The Reader and the Chef - Book Inspired-Recipe
April 26: Forever Lost in Literature - Author Guest Post: What We Do For Friendship
April 27: Flying Through Fiction - Favorite YA Friendships
April 28: One Way or an Author - Phone Wallpapers

19 comments:

  1. This snippet sounds so cool! I don't recall ever hearing of this book previously, but now I can't wait to read it (:

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    1. Right? It really draws you in. I hope you added it to your TBR!

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  2. Ahhh Alexandra is a master at crafting suspense and horror and mystery! I love her writing. Can't wait for First We Were IV

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  3. This one does sound like it would be on the edge of your seat reading it. It also sounds like it could be enraging... in a good way. LOL I may have to check out this author. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

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    1. It totally does! I really hope you check out Alexandra and add First We Were IV to your TBR!

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  4. I absolutely loved The Creeping and The Telling, so I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am to read this one! Thanks so much for sharing the excerpt - it was such a fun read!

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    1. I had no idea that you loved both of her books, yay! Then I hope you love First We Were IV just as much! Thanks or stopping by!

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  5. This is the first I've heard of this book! Wow does it sound powerful and suspenseful.

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    1. Well, glad I could fix that! I hope you added it to your TBR!

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  6. This book sounds awesome and I don't usually like thrillers so it must be good! Lol!
    @TeacherofYA

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    1. Alexandra really knows how to draw people in, I hope give First We Were IV a chance!

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  7. I have been so absent from the book community this past week that I missed your kick-off for this tour! The excerpt that you chose is perfect. I am looking forward to reading the other posts on the blog tour. :)

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    1. That's totally fine, that's how life goes. The excerpt is the first chapter of the book, it's a great start isn't it? I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's post ^_^

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  8. Lovely tour post Brittany :D Oh, I like that cover a lot. So pretty. <3 Seems like an interesting book too :) Thank you for sharing about it. <3 Hugs.

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    1. Thank you! And yes the cover is very pretty! Thanks for stopping by ^_^

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  9. Looks like a good book! Thank you for the contest!

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  10. This sounds so cool! Reminds me of The Secret History c:

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