Monday, April 8, 2013

{Blog Tour} Naturals (Lost Souls #2) by Tiffany Truitt - Review


Release date: April 2, 2013
Author info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Pages: 352
Format: Egalley
Source: Publisher provided for blog tour
Buy the book: Barnes & Noble | Amazon | The Book Depository
Ripped away from those she loves most, Tess is heartbroken as her small band of travelers reaches the Isolationist camp in the mysterious and barren Middlelands. Desperate to be reunited with James, the forbidden chosen one who stole her heart, she wants nothing to do with the rough Isolationists, who are without allegiance in the war between the Westerners and Easterners. But having their protection, especially for someone as powerful as Tess, may come at a cost.

When James returns, Tess’s world once again feels complete—until she discovers her sister, Louisa, has taken up her old post at Templeton, the dangerous chosen ones training center and the site of Tess’s loss of innocence. Tess will do anything to protect her loved ones—but will the price be more than she can give?

This second book in Tiffany Truitt’s dystopian series is a thought-provoking, thrilling story that asks who the true enemy really is—the chosen ones who are different, or the naturals…who are just like us.
After finishing Chosen Ones, I couldn't wait to get my hands on Naturals. I had quickly fallen in love with Tess and James and absolutely had to know what would happen to them next. Luckily for all of us who loved the first book, the second is even better! After escaping to the Isolationists, Tess has to find her place amongst a people predisposed to hate her and the man she loves. But for Tess, life doesn't get simpler. She struggles to make friends, and just when things begin to sort out, James reappears with bad news. The sadistic George has set his eye on her sister, Louisa, who has taken her place at the training center. Tess will do anything she can to save Louisa from facing a terrible fate, even risk her life and relative safety among the Isolationists.

First and foremost in my mind when I begin reading Naturals was a concern for Tess. In many sequels, the protagonist tends to take a nosedive from their growth in the first book. Tess absolutely did not. This is why I love her. She learned to speak for herself and fight for what she loved in Chosen Ones, instead of lowering her eyes and letting things be. We're treated to the same headstrong girl all the way through. Tess know what she wants and refuses to give up on it, even when it seems insurmountable. She watches and learns, but she also takes risks. Tess is still absolutely the highlight of this series.

As Tess sees more of the world outside the compound, so do we. I loved seeing the life of the Isolationists and just how different the lifestyle is from that of those in the compound. The Isolationists work for everything they have and are all the more grateful and protective of it. Tess has to get used to this kind of hard labor and rationed food and water, but she comes to see the validity of the way of life. She sees why the Isolationists work so hard to protect what they have. I can't wait to see more of this world and how Tess adapts to it.

I do believe Naturals is a bit more character driven than Chosen Ones. Once Tess and company get to the Isolationists, we're treated to quite a bit of day to day life. But within that life, we meet quite a few great characters (Lockwood!!) who shape Tess' view of the Isolationists and the world. But, I do have to say, the ending of this book is absolutely action packed! Everything leads up to this ending and it made me just about pass out from wanting the third book.

And oh!! Just as in the first book, much of Tess' time is spent with classic literature. I loved the tie in there and I loved it again, especially as Tess began to read and understand the book of her namesake, Tess of the D'Urbervilles. This is one detail of this series I absolutely adore.

Naturals takes the world created in Chosen Ones and raises it. There's more of everything I loved in the first--Tess and her fabulousness, James, drama, self-discovery--and new great characters, revelations, and experiences. Naturals kept me riveted to my seat and left me salivating for more.


Tiffany Truitt was born in Peoria, Illinois. A self-proclaimed Navy brat, Tiffany spent most of her childhood living in Virginia, but don’t call her a Southerner. She also spent a few years living in Cuba. Since her time on the island of one McDonalds and Banana Rats (don’t ask), she has been obsessed with traveling. Tiffany recently added China to her list of travels (hello inspiration for a new book).

Besides traveling, Tiffany has always been an avid reader. Tiffany spent most of her high school and college career as a literary snob. She refused to read anything considered “low brow” or outside the “classics.”

Tiffany began teaching middle school in 2006. Her students introduced her to the wide, wonderful world of Young Adult literature. Today, Tiffany embraces popular Young Adult literature and uses it in her classroom. Tiffany is proud to call herself an educator and Young Adult author.
Thank you so much to Entangled for letting me take part in the tour! I LOVED the book (if you couldn't tell). There are three paperback copies up for grabs for the entire tour! Also, be sure to check back here on the 15th for an interview with Tiffany and an additional ebook giveaway! :)

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