Today brings the blog tour for The Collective and I have for you an excerpt, as well as my thoughts, and a giveaway too. First though to the all important book information.
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Matilda Gregson never knew a world outside hers existed, that is until Harvey comes along and shows her something beyond her imagination. All that is on Tilly’s mind is finishing her dissertation, getting her degree, and spending time with her friends before the end of the school year.
But everything changes when she meets Jenny, an agent of a secret society, and nothing prepared either of them for the adventure they are about to endure. Under the pressures of surviving, their friendship grows and they find friends in the most unlikely of places, and betrayal just around the corner.
Will they both be able to stop him before he tears Jenny’s society to the ground?
Amazon | Goodreads
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“You alright T?” asked James, touching her shoulder.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Where’s Claire?” she asked Chris, changing the subject. He got out his phone and checked it, shaking his head.
“She hasn’t messaged me so I guess she’ll just meet us back at the house.”
“Oh, I see,” she looked down at the floor. Her mind was all over the place and she wasn’t really sure how to feel. Her curiosity was also scaring her. Maybe she’d ask Claire about that guy when she came over, she didn’t even realise he had been looking at her until she had pointed it out. If Chris was annoyed about him hanging around her, Tilly wanted to know why. Secretly hoping she wasn’t trying to set them up or anything.
“T, you seem a bit off. Are you sure you’re okay?” asked James attempting to put his arm around her shoulder. He didn’t make it though, and was now standing awkwardly next to her.
“She’s fine James,” said Chris, grabbing his shoulders and moving him away. “Probably just doesn’t want to be asked the same questions over and over again. Right Tilly?”
She nodded her head in response, but she hadn’t really been listening.
“Oi you.” Chris’s hands grabbed her shoulders and she pulled herself out of her thoughts and smiled. “God you’re annoying Tilly, I thought you were just ignoring us.”
“No,” she started. Both boys were in front of her with crossed arms not looking impressed at all. “Okay, I’m feeling a little out of sorts okay. You mentioned Harvey and I’m worried Claire’s trying to set us up or something.” She scrunched up her nose as she finished speaking. Chris burst out laughing and James just stood there. His eyes portraying sadness.
“That sounds like something she would do, thinking she’s helping. Well you’ve made me feel better about him hanging around, as long as he leaves my girl alone,” Chris swung his arms around James shoulder, “everything is fine.”
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I can never say no to a book with pirates, so when the chance came to review The Collective which also includes time travel and a secret society, I was all in.
The story is really interesting, it almost sounds like it could be too much for one book, but it is dealt with so well that it doesn’t feel like it. The Collective, the secret society, and its purpose was really well thought out, there was never a moment that I didn’t understand what was being described. I would loved to have got to know even more about it but the story probably wouldn’t have been as adventurous in that case.
I also thought the descriptions of the time period they end up in and of the pirates and their journey were brilliant. I could picture everything clearly and though I don’t know much more than the portrayals I’ve seen on TV, in movies or in books, I thought it was a really good representation.
The pacing of the book was also good, once the adventure started there was never a dull moment. There were a few little things I found I was able to predict but there were also some twists that I didn’t see coming.
I think the characters could have used a little more development, I feel like I didn’t know enough about them which would have made me really invest in them, especially Tilly who I didn’t like. I just felt that she seemed a bit too childish for the age she was supposed to be and I didn’t understand her motivations at all. I also found the villain a bit too transparent, a little more intrigue could have made him more credible.
Jenny, however, was a great character, sometimes there were a few moments where she was edging towards the same behaviour as Tilly, but since I found her a lot more interesting it was easier to look over. I liked her attitude and strength and the way she was able to think on her feet. I was definitely interested to know more about her connection to The Collective and find out a little of her backstory.
Joeseph and Roger were another two characters that I liked but I felt we didn’t hear enough from. You know they are usually tagging along but I didn’t feel they reached their full potential.
The Collective is an entertaining read with a really good premise and I’m interested to see how it develops.
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If you fancy your chances at winning (and live in the UK) then click the link below to enter the giveaway for…
a paperback copy of The Collective
If you want to check out more about The Collective then be sure to go visit some of the other stops on the tour.
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Rhianne Williams, formally known as RS Williams, writes Fantasy, Adventure and Romance novels. As an avid reader Rhianne has always been in love with the written word and the emotions a good story can create.
Discovering she had a knack for creating stories as a teenager, she started work on her first story. However, at 16 the mundane adult world called her back to an admin job and Rhianne put writing on the back burner until she turned 20. Rediscovering her fascination with writing and creating Rhianne then threw herself back into her writing in 2014.
When she isn’t catching plot bunnies, typing up her creations or writing on her blog, you’ll find her in front of the television watching her favourite shows, spending time with her family and getting lost in others fictional worlds.
You can connect with her through her Website, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.
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everywhere-and-nowhere.com 