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THE VARA VOLUMES BY JOHN KERRY

15/4/2016

56 Comments

 
Picture
The Vara of Yima, the original Garden of Eden, sealed from the rest of the world and populated with the fittest of men and women. A secret paradise that 150 years ago became ravaged by smog that choked out the skies.

Now the Vara exists in a permanent state of darkness and its people need a champion, a chosen one to save them from the smog that threatens to fill the realm and poison its inhabitants.

That’s what they needed. They got Sammy Ellis instead. She isn’t important enough for her dad to stick around for, never mind saving a realm or junk like that. Her only responsibility was to help the chosen one open the gateway into the Vara, but not only has she entered the realm in their place, she’s also locked them out in the process.

Stuck in a twilight land of giant mushrooms, pursued by dark forces and still in her pyjamas, being unimportant back in the real world is starting to seem way more attractive.

John Kerry has created an all new universe filled with lush and rich descriptions. – Abooktopia
John Kerry uses strong descriptive adjectives as he describes a magical vibrant world, so unlike our very own. A world filed with strange creatures and wonders. The Vara of Yima, the original Garden of Eden, is a secret paradise sealed off from the rest of the world, populated with the fittest men and women. A secret paradise that 150 years ago became ravaged by smog that choked out the skies.

The world of Vara was all together fascinating and unique. I loved the mystery and secretiveness that made me question each character’s hidden motive. I found the main character Sammy Ellis to be so different from all the other young female YA characters. Though Sammy was at times a little too quick in accepting her situations, she was still a nerdy relatable character. I also loved the fact that Sammy was never truly meant to be in the big picture as her only responsibility was to help the chosen one open the gateway into the Vara, when she accidentally entered the realm in place of the chosen one, and locked them out in the process. This made us wonder wether she was to be the saviour or the destroyer at times.

That being said, I wasn’t too happy at times with the dialogue and the main character herself. I found Sammy to be selfish and much too rash when it came to making decisions and facing the problems ahead of her. Though I do have a sneaking suspicion that John Kerry used Sammy’s personality as a means of showing that she was never truly intended to be the heroine…

Eden at the Edge of Midnight was very different from some of my past reads, and I enjoyed how it avoided the clichés, which can be found in many YA novels. I am also thankful to say that romance was not an important aspect of the story as it was tamed. Overall, the setting was really creative and imaginative, creating a whole new world of fantasy. There was so much detail for such a complex world, that help me as a reader obtain a better grasp on what was happening in this strange new world, even though I was at times confused.
***I received a personalised signed copy of this book in return***
***for an honest and unbiased review***

Picture
John Kerry is – to the untrained eye – an average-sized, average-looking, marginally out of shape white guy, but depending on which day you observe him, in his head he could be about to take down a cartel of drug dealers with his bare hands. On another day he might be about to force push a lorry from the path of a baby stroller before they collide. Or, on yet another, he might even be getting ready to dive into a telephone box so he can rip open his shirt and fly off round the world backwards turning back time for some reason known only to himself. When John isn’t living in a fantasy world he can be found in the city of Sheffield, UK where he lives. Originally from Ipswich, he lived in London for a while, before moving up north to raise his three padawan daughters. And one day he hopes to move to the US because that’s where all the other superheroes live and where alien invasions often occur. Books wise John loves virtually anything containing adventure, fantasy, Sci Fi, monsters, Harry Potter, Hunger Games, or Lovecraftian cyclopean horror.


The Vara Volumes by John Kerry:
BOOK 1: Eden at the Edge of Midnight
BOOK 2: Back to the Vara
56 Comments
Jessica
14/6/2015 09:33:46 am

Sounds like a cool book

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Elisa Tuck
15/6/2015 01:57:59 am

Seems interesting. Added it!

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BooksareLife
15/6/2015 09:48:41 am

Cover seems to really fit in with the plot.

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Abooktopia link
22/6/2015 01:03:31 pm

It truly does suit the plot, and storyline.

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Booksarelife
25/6/2015 02:09:28 pm

I love it when they do.

Shaye
15/6/2015 10:43:14 am

Is there also a giveaway for this one goodreads?

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Abooktopia link
16/6/2015 02:42:49 am

Yes there is! If I recall correctly, there are two personalised signed copies available for grabs in the giveaway.

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Shaye
17/6/2015 07:22:25 am

Oooh Thanks! I will so be entering this giveaway. Who doesn't want a personalized signed copy?

Abooktopia link
19/6/2015 07:14:55 am

Goodluck! Hopefully you'll win a copy.

Shaye
21/6/2015 07:58:22 am

Probably not, but hopefully! *fingers crossed*

Sandra Cassiograce
15/6/2015 12:22:12 pm

Is there only the two books? And are they all out now?

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Abooktopia link
16/6/2015 02:49:04 am

I believe they is only two books in the series, but I could be wrong. So far only the first book is out, and the second one will be published this coming year.

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Sandra Cassiograce
17/6/2015 07:23:18 am

Oh I know what you mean. There will probably only be one book. Perhaps. Will have to see the ending of the second book to know for sure.

Sandra Cassiograce
21/6/2015 07:59:03 am

I meant two books, not one.

Abooktopia link
22/6/2015 01:06:00 pm

Exactly. I'm sure two books will be enough for this series.

Sandra Cassiograce
23/6/2015 12:04:12 pm

It probably will be

Asha Berkery
15/6/2015 01:41:24 pm

I agree. I found the dialogue to be terribly annoying, though I suppose it was all done for a reason. With Sammy not being the chosen one.

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Abooktopia link
16/6/2015 02:49:52 am

Hopefully when the second novel is released, the dialogue will improve.

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Asha Berkery
16/6/2015 07:30:43 am

Hopefully it will be, though I sorta doubt it. But hopefully *fingers crossed*

Lilian Archletch
16/6/2015 09:58:00 am

Cool cover. shall read this one!

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Sonya
16/6/2015 12:49:40 pm

Great review! (As always :)

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Abooktopia link
17/6/2015 07:26:43 am

Thank you!

I just wanted to say thank you for always coming back to my blog and for always commenting on my reviews, and getting other users to interact as well.

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Sonya
19/6/2015 07:16:30 am

Your MORE than welcome darling! Xx
I'm just happy to help and spread my love for your blog and books. Thank YOU for creating something so spontaneous.

Abooktopia link
22/6/2015 01:08:15 pm

Your are much too kind!

Thank YOU for always coming back and contributing, and for keeping this blog alive and welcoming. I'm just so happy that you love it.

Sonya
16/6/2015 12:50:42 pm

This book sounds pretty interesting, so I guess I will definitely be putting it on my TBR! Thanks for bringing it to my attention

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Abooktopia link
17/6/2015 07:27:10 am

Your most welcome as always.

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Josh Noah
17/6/2015 07:21:44 am

Thanks for sharing this review! Will definitely be reading this one for sure :D

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Abooktopia link
22/6/2015 01:10:03 pm

Your more than welcome! I sincerely hope you enjoy it!

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Clary (Goodreads)
18/6/2015 02:06:39 am

Sure thing. I'd love to read your review. Thanks for the recommendation. I really appreciate it.

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Abooktopia link
18/6/2015 02:07:26 am

Thanks for reading it, and liking it!
You welcome anytime, as I love to share about books!

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Clary (Goodreads)
18/6/2015 09:32:09 am

I totally understand. It was an amazing review and has encouraged me to read the book even more. Feel free to recommend any books to me and I will gladly read the reviews because overall they are impressive and a great entertaining source to get more information on the book.

Abooktopia link
20/6/2015 05:45:39 am

Oh, stop... Your making me blush. *blushes a deep red*

It truly means a lot to me that you find my reviews encouraging and overall impressive. Your kind words have seriously made my day all the more brighter. Thank you so much.

Clary (Goodreads)
20/6/2015 05:46:00 am

Your welcome. But no need to thank me because what I said is completely true. Your writing is inspiring, supportive of the story, and encouraging to the reader which is amazing to read and put into perspective. So I thank you for the great effort and work you have put into your writing.

Abooktopia link
20/6/2015 05:51:56 am

I can't even compute what to say...

First off, thank you so much! Your words have truly touched my heart in more ways then I thought possible. I truly appreciate you telling me this, and just wow... I am seriously at a loss for words...

Clary (Goodreads)
21/6/2015 03:54:04 am

I totally get it. Thank you again for this beautiful pieces of writing that has emotion, amazing quality, and a true love of this book.

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Abooktopia link
21/6/2015 03:55:44 am

You are truly welcome, as I am so glad that you loved it. Thank you.

Reply
Clary (Goodreads)
21/6/2015 05:31:20 am

No problem. It was great.

Sandra Cawscald
19/6/2015 07:17:24 am

Thanks for bringing another book to my attention. I've never heard of this one before.

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Abooktopia link
20/6/2015 03:29:36 pm

Your more than welcome!

Reply
Abooktopia link
20/6/2015 03:30:38 pm

I hope you do enjoy it, if you ever get the chance to read it.

Sandra Cawscald
22/6/2015 01:18:57 pm

Hopefully it'll be either this year of the next

Teagan Hall
20/6/2015 11:57:17 am

Another great review! Shall be reading this one.

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Abooktopia link
22/6/2015 01:24:34 pm

Thanks! I hope you enjoy the series when you get the chance to read it.

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Sonia Benevolia
20/6/2015 03:28:27 pm

Seems really good! I will adding this to the TBR list as well. Keep up the amazing work gorgeous

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Ratchetray
21/6/2015 03:52:07 am

That sounds really cool. Hopefully the dialogue won't bug me.

*fingers crossed*

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Abooktopia link
22/6/2015 01:25:53 pm

It wasn't too bad at times, but it did annoy me at times, though I suspect some of it was intentional.

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Maddie
21/6/2015 06:20:31 am

I love how you always justify what you say.

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Abooktopia link
22/6/2015 01:27:21 pm

Thanks! I do try not to author bash even in the slightest.

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Kelly Stephenson
21/6/2015 07:56:11 am

Will have to look into this one and check out some other reviews. Keep posting!

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Abooktopia link
25/6/2015 02:07:57 pm

If you ever do decide/get the chance to read it, I hope you enjoy it.

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Emily Brown
23/6/2015 11:57:12 am

How many free books have you received for review? And in how many months?

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Abooktopia link
23/6/2015 12:07:26 pm

I've received 28 books for review in the last three months.

Reply
Emily Brown
24/6/2015 12:01:35 pm

Wow.... That's pretty impressive.

Abooktopia link
25/6/2015 02:07:10 pm

It really is. In such a short amount of time, I have already come so far. I just need more time.

Leah Lechess
25/6/2015 01:57:25 pm

Add this!

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Leah Lechess
25/6/2015 01:57:42 pm

*Added

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