TITLE: A WHOLE NEW CROWD
AUTHOR: TIJAN
GENRE: YA
RELEASE DATE: AUGUST 18, 2014
Taryn grew up in a different world. Her boyfriend was a criminal. His older brother was part of a gang. They weren't great people, but they were her family. Then everything changes when she's sent to a new family in the neighboring town. New family. New friends. A new world. She's elated. This is her chance for a new beginning, but secrets start being revealed and Taryn learns her new life has some ties to her old one, ties that she's not happy about. Her new family might not have been the lucky break she thought she had.
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3 stars.
It’s taken me a week and a re-read of A Whole New Crowd to settle on the rating, and even as I’m writing this I’m still torn.
As always I loved Tijan’s writing. She writes the life of a teenager like no one else but this story was missing something and I’m just not sure of what it is. I’m writing this review a little different from others so please just bear with me.
Favorite Character: Unfortunately no one really stood out.
Did the characters feel real? The story addressed real situations that can occur within any group of kids rich or poor so their situations/ problems felt real.
Favorite part of the book: When the truth was revealed.
Did the book make me laugh or cry? Nope.
Was it difficult to care about the main character? No, Tarryn is really easy to like and when you initially meet her you want to know her story. I’m just a little confused as to what that is and how it ends.
Would I recommend this book? Yes. I liked the book and read it in its entirety so I can say that it is a good story. However, if you were to ask me if this was Tijan’s best work? I would have to say no. Carter Reed, Jaded and the Fallen Crest are my favorite series and easily rated those with 4 or 5 stars. I would definitely recommend you read those prior to reading A Whole New Crowd.
*An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.
After reading A Whole New Crowd I still had a few questions and with Tray’s help I was able to land an EXCLUSIVE interview. About 6 am on a Sunday morning I was picked up in a black SUV and asked to wear a blindfold. I’m not sure of how long we traveled because I was asked to leave my cell phone at home. About 10 minutes after I was led to seemed to be a basement Jace Lanser walked in the room and all the air left my body. This man is gorgeous. I didn’t waste anytime in asking questions I wanted the answers to.
Q: How have you been since we last saw you in A Whole New Crowd?
A: He frowns slightly. "I've been okay."
Q: Do you know what happened to Brian and are you able to tell us about it?
A: Brian died, what was reported in the book is the truth.
Q: Was there a particular incident that caused you relationship with Brian to change and please tell us about it?
A: I think it was a mix. I wasn't the nicest guy. Brian was getting older. Our dad was going down hill with his health. Our mom wasn't there. And there was a bond between Taryn and I. I think it all weighed on him.
Q: Was there ever a time where your feelings for Taryn were anything other than a brother to a sister?
A: "Uh," he stops and frowns. "I care about Taryn. She's special. There might've been at one point, but she was with my brother. She's supposed to be with Evans now. He's a good match for her."
Q: Are you getting updates on Taryn's life since you last saw her?
A: "Yes."
Q: If you could say anything to Brian right now what would it be?
A: "I'm sorry for not cutting out all the bullshit. I should've moved and taken him with me, no matter how much he would've fought me." He flinches. "His death is my fault."
Q: We got the story from Taryn's point of view, but is there anything that you would have included?
A: He laughs softly, the sound is hollow. "There was a lot more that happened from my end, things I did to help Taryn, but it doesn't matter. Taryn is living a good life. That's what matters."
Q: Considering all that's happened... From your beginning with the Panthers to where we are now what would you change?
A: "Brian's death. I would've done anything to prevent that from happening. Like I said before, I should left everything instead of being recruited to work undercover. That was my breakthrough. I should've seen farther into the future than I did."
Q: Is there anything you can tell us about how you "helped" Kevin?
A: "No. It's classified."
Q: Were Kevin’s account of what happened between the two of you completely true?
A: "For the most part, what he believed is true."
Q: Of all the skills that you could teach Taryn- why that one?
A: "Of stealing?" He laughs again, but the sound is more fond this time. "She was a little shit growing up. She was already stealing stuff, but she did it to piss her foster parents off. I taught her how not to get caught." He's still grinning and shaking his head.
Q: Would you like us to get a message to Taryn for you?
A: "Just to keep doing what she's doing. She has a good head on her shoulders. She'll be just fine."
Tijan started writing later in life, after she had already graduated college with a different direction in mind and a different degree under her belt. Hitting the brakes on that path, she taught herself how to write a good book and began posting at sites such as Fictionpress, along with Wattpad. After receiving such encouraging messages from readers, she self-published Fallen Crest High and has continued throughout the year. She continues to keep writing NA books!
Connect with the author:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tijans.writings
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/TijansWritings
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