A_TiffyFit's Reading Corner: {Blog Tour} SUSY ASLYUM by Michael Pierce, Lorne Family Vault #2 with reviews and giveaway

About Provex City (Lorne Family Vault #1)

Fifteen-year-old Oliver Grain begins his school year fighting off bullies, learning about the boy who committed suicide in his room, and trying to understand why his history teacher, Mr. Gordon, has taken such a personal interest in him.

Do you believe in ghosts? Do you believe you can make bullies simply disappear? Do you believe you can walk through walls?

Mr. Gordon tells Oliver: "When you truly believe anything is possible, you will be able to open doors where there were only walls." And one of those doors leads Oliver to Provex City, which puts him in far greater danger than he can possibly fathom.

Disclaimer: I received my copy of PROVEX CITY to review for a book tour. I was in no way compensated for my opinion, which follows.

It was really refreshing for me to read a book with a male protagonist. It isn't that it hasn't happened, but it hasn't happened in the last stream of books (wonderful though they were) I've read! And often, male protagonists don't sound male, if that makes any sense.

The beginning of this book read a little younger than I was expecting, but quickly turned more towards the upper end of YA. There is some serious background that we're just not seeing in the beginning between Oliver and his older brother, Jeremy. I got the feeling that while Jeremy was looking out for his brother, there was also some hidden animosity. And it didn't really make sense as Oliver is the one living in Jeremy's shadow.

I truly enjoyed the "what if" scenario presented to Oliver by Mr Gordon and the "magic". It makes you wonder if that is true for everyone or just for Oliver since he, though he doesn't remember it thanks to a pill, is from someplace else. Provex City is on a different plane of consciousness, a higher one if you will, and that is where Oliver and his brother and mother are from, although none remember it for their own safety. As Oliver learns more and more from Mr Gordon, he is also dealing with high school and its complications: bullies, school work, jealous boyfriends, a opposite sex best friend, and a new girlfriend.

I liked this realm of possibilities Michael Pierce has created for us. Energy healing, various planes of consciousness, layered on top of one another, etc. Parallel dimensions are always fascinating...but what about TJ? He committed suicide, yet he's sentient wherever he is and able to communicate with Oliver! Oh and the ending? Yes, you should get book 2 while you're buying book one. Just a suggestion! ;)

About SUSY Asylum (Lorne Family Vault #2)

In SUSY Asylum, there is no release. There is no escape. No hope.

Oliver and Desiree are introduced to the writings of a mysterious blogger, Commodore Chaos, when they return to Provex City to indulge in what the sublime city has to offer. The blogger claims the Lornes are collecting people venturing between the higher planes of awareness and locking them away in a mythical asylum. But are these legitimate concerns for inter-plane travelers or just the ramblings of an anonymous conspiracy blogger?

Oliver looks to Provex City as his only connection to his father while Desiree looks to the city as an escape from the torment of losing her best friend—again. Provex City is a wonder of beautiful treasures, entrancing them to continue returning. But behind the beauty, wolves have continued hunting Oliver, a boy who is still unaware of his importance in the rebellion.

Oliver’s belief is waning. Desiree will not always be by his side. Mr. Gordon will not always come to his aid. Oliver finds himself alone, forced to confront his biggest fears, fight his inner demons, and face the very cold reality that no one is coming to save him.

Welcome to SUSY Asylum.

I absolutely 100% loathe Desiree. I do. I don't think she has any redeeming qualities. But this story...OH THIS STORY. I'm absolutely intrigued and want to just gobble up more! Mr Gordon (Daniel) and his teachings are fascinating to me and makes me wish that every time I gaze off into space, I, too, could see into another plane of consciousness. I thought it took a bit to get to SUSY Asylum, but every single step was necessary and SUSY does not disappoint for sheer viciousness. I felt SO bad for Anna and tears came to my eyes...I'm hoping that despite coming from our plane, there is an alternative for her. There sure seemed to be for Eli, that volatile jerkwad!

If you haven't guessed yet, I was thoroughly engrossed in this second installment in the Lorne Family vaults. Some of the characters I found so incredibly annoying (coughDesireecough) and just pffft on her; others endeared themselves to me despite me wanting to smack them (uhhh Oliver!) but all in all this is a story that you WANT to finish.

Warning: cliffhanger ending. /sigh. I should be used to these by now, but every single time when it's a story I've totally engrossed in, I want to throw myself onto my bed and just throw a hissy fit. Yeah...that's how I came up with a tiffy fit. I'm throwing a tiffy fit. ;) More, please, Mr. Pierce!

About Michael Pierce:
I believe in a future where I will be able to write full-time, a picture I already hold vividly in my mind. It all starts with my debut young adult novel, Provex City. I love Harry Potter & The Marbury Lens, Tool & Elliott Smith, Dexter & Donnie Darko, bold coffee & amber ale. I also love dabbling with writing music and recording, with no illusions of ever making it a career. I am ecstatically married and the lucky father to a beautiful baby girl.

Find the author: Website/Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Visit the other spots on this tour! http://www.candacesbookblog.com/2013/06/new-tour-sign-up-susy-asylum-by-michael.html