She Smells the Dead Review & Giveaway

Saturday, September 11, 2010


It's the beginning of senior year and Yuki's psychic awareness of ghostly spirits is threatening to ruin her life. Her ability to sense spirits of the dead isn't glamorous like the ghost hunting on television.

SHE SMELLS THE DEAD.

The smell impressions are becoming stronger. Yuki is being visited in her dreams, and she suspects that her friend Calvin is involved in something strange. To make matters worse her crush on Garrett is going unrequited, Yuki's friend Emma is on a rampage against bee oppression, and annoying Calvin Miller mysteriously disappears.

Will Yuki be able to focus her powers in time to save the lost soul who is haunting her? Meanwhile, who will save Yuki from following the spirits into the light?

Taken from GoodReads

She Smells the Dead is the story of Vanessa Stennings, better known as Yuki, as she struggles with and discovers the true weight and meaning of her gift to sense...or smell...the dead. Unlike the glamourous and sensationalized psychics, Yuki's gift can be painful, and the intensity can wear on her. When the sudden, overwhelming smell of vinegar plagues Yuki, she and her friends Calvin, her mystical-loving best friend whose spirit is supposedly a wolf, and Emma, her intensely vegan friend, must unravel the mystery of the spirit before time runs out.

I've been a follower of the author, E.J. Stevens' blog for a long time now, so when she offered a chance to read and review her book, She Smells the Dead, I jumped at the chance. I didn't really know what to expect getting into this book. I thought perhaps it might be a ghost story, or some sort of paranormal story, but it definitely took my assumptions to the next level. Incorporating lore, mystery, wolves, and spirits in an entirely unique way, She Smells the Dead is a refreshing and dark twist on a paranormal story.

I thought the beginning of She Smells the Dead was a little slower than I might have hoped, but it established Yuki's background, which definitely helped later in the story. I also had to get used to reading Yuki's thoughts interjected into the narrative, identified as italics. Once I got a grip on that, it became normal to read them, and it didn't feel jarring at all. I really enjoyed, as well, the introduction of characters halfway through, namely Simon, to throw a wrench and a little eye candy to keep the story fresh and alive.

She Smells the Dead is an exciting new take on wolves, spirits, and more. It's a slim book, fast-paced once you get into it, and very easy to read. E.J. Stevens has a unique voice that really sets She Smells the Dead apart from other such books. I give it a strong 4 out 5, and I'd recommend it to all those who love YA, Paranormal, Mystery, and an entertaining read.

This book was given to me free of charge by the author in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of the book.

---------------------------------------------

Now, I have a treat for all of you! The lovely E.J. Stevens has provided me with goodies for my awesome followers...meaning all of you! Up for grabs in this giveaway is the following:

One (1) signed review copy of She Smells the Dead
Two (2) bookmarks
Two (2) postcards
One (1) awesome t-shirt

To Enter: You MUST be a follower. Leave a comment with your email address...no email = no entry. This giveaway is open internationally (yay!), and entries will be open until midnight (MDT) on September 25, 2010. You will get one (1) additional entry if you follow E.J. Stevens' blog, and you MUST let me know! The winner of this awesome prize pack will be chosen by Random.org and announced the following day.

56 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm an old follower, and I'd like to enter this contest!

    thebookspeaker@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. ooh, i'd love to win this.

    k_anon[at]hotmail[dot]co[dot]uk

    I'm a follower of your blog.

    +1 I follow E.J. Stevens' blog, From the Shadows!

    Thanks for making it international:)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Please count me in!

    I'm an old follower of EJ Steven's blog.

    Thank you!

    Shy
    shy8629(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am a follower you blog and of EJ Steven's too. Love to win this Thanks for the chance.

    vonharzj@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oooh!!! I've been a follower -- can't pass up this chance! :) thank you!!

    LiquidityofTime@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Of course I'm a follower!

    Please enter me!

    Thanks,
    Missie, The Unread Reader

    missie at theunreadreader.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. This is on my "To Read List" - Awesome cover!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi E.J. & I Swim for Oceans -
    I'm a follower here & on E.J.'s site.

    Thanks,
    Lea Ellen B. {night owl in IL}
    borg_66@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I follow both blogs! Thanks!

    twilightforever.edward at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  11. O O O
    I would love to try this :)
    Please count me in :)

    suitejujuATgmailDOTcom

    Thanks for the awesome contest and review.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Fabulous review! I love how this is a fresh, new take on the classic paranormal book. And that cover is simple, but for some reason it really catches my eye!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I wondered where my first tab went, hm, a mystery. Anyway, sounds like a good one, and I do like that cover, very nice indeed. And I am glad to hear the book is good too.

    So count me in
    blodeuedd1 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'm an old follower, enter me please.
    dukesangel002 AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'm an old follower, I'd love to win this!

    my email:
    avacyphera@yahoo.com

    Ava

    ReplyDelete
  16. Sounds great! You can never have too many wolf books :P
    I'm an old follower and I also follow EJ's blog

    Thank you for the giveaway!
    entrelibros_blog at hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Im an old follower of this blog & EJ Stevens blog.
    thanks for the awesome giveaway!(:
    maddie.mcphail@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. A new author for me! Love finding them. This book sounds terrific. Please enter me.

    Old follower on gfc

    mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi Melissa, fab review - I absolutely love the cover of this one & am really looking forward to reading it :o) Thanks for hosting the giveaway!

    I'm an old follower of your blog & a new follower of E.J. Stevens :o)

    sarahsreviews at ymail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Sounds great!

    +1 I follow her blog too!

    stephaniet117 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  21. This book is on my wish list! I'd love to read it!

    +1 I follow E.J. Stevens' blog

    aikychien at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  22. awesome review, Melissa!! I can't wait to read it!

    no need to enter me, I already have the book :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. I follow you - Please enter me.

    +1 I follow EJ Stevens blog

    bkhabel AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  24. I'd love to be part of this contest. I am SO freaking excited about this book.

    My e-mail is potterhead22@yahoo.com.

    I also followed E.J. Stevens.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hey, Melissa! Nice giveaway you have here. :)
    Please count me in the contest, I'm an old follower and I follow E.J. as well!

    amaterasureads@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. I'm a follower.

    I follow E. J. Stevens' blog.

    spettolij AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hi, I would love to get a copy of this book.

    I follow your blog.

    nina.happyendings@yahoo.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  28. Please enter me! I'm an old follower:)

    supernaturalsnark@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. Nice review! This one sounds really unique,

    yabookqueen@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Thanks for hosting! Please enter me - I am a follower.

    bsharp88@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. Thanks so much for this giveaway. I think this book looks interesting.

    I am a follower here and at E. J.'s blog as well!

    Thanks again,
    Jessi
    jlelliott08 AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Great review, Melissa! This book is one that I'm definitely interested in reading!

    I would love to be entered in your giveaway, and thank you for hosting it. :)

    I follow your blog, as well as E.J.'s blog. :)

    lostforwords.cl (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  33. Thank you for the great giveaway. I've been wanting to read this one.

    Follow on GFC
    Follow E.J.Steven's blog on GFC

    seriousreader at live dot com

    ReplyDelete
  34. I would love to win this. Thank you for this giveaway!

    forceofstars(at)yahoo(dot)dk

    ReplyDelete
  35. I forgot to mention that I'm a follower at your blog.
    +1 I follow E.J. Stevens' blog (Mysteriousrose)

    ReplyDelete
  36. I'm a new follower :)

    mayarend -at- yahoo.com.br

    ReplyDelete
  37. I'm in! magpie707 (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  38. I love the sound of this one!

    I follow your blog and E.J Steven’s blog.

    Thanks for the contest!

    TheFictionEnthusiast @live.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. New Follower!
    wbbusby (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  40. I'm a follower and you follow me. You're always so good to comment on my posts. Thanks for that!

    Anyway, would love to win a copy. I don't see where you can join E.J. Stevens site except follow on Twitter so I'm doing that.

    hrose2931@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  41. Found it on the home page finally! I'm a follower of E.J. Stevens.

    hrose2931@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  42. Great giveaway. New follower.

    darkwyrmreads(at)yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  43. International giveaway, woohoo! :)

    I'm already a follower
    bravechickens[@]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  44. I'm glad you think this is something fresh. Everything I've been reading is starting blur together because it's all so much alike.

    findjessyhere at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  45. Hi, what an awesome giveaway! XD

    I follow both yours and E.J.'s blog!!
    Please sign me up for the contest! :)

    yvantis@hotmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  46. Thanks for the giveaway! I'm a new follower!
    ferretvamp14[at]live[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  47. I am a Follower via GFC

    Please enter me in the giveaway and thanks very much for making it International.

    carol T

    buddytho {at} gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  48. I want this book! 8D the cover is epic! <3

    I'm an old follower of From the Shadows!

    isabookwhore at gmail dot com

    Thank yoU!

    ReplyDelete
  49. Great review! This book sounds interesting!

    yavampire(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  50. Oh, nice contest!
    I follow your blog, as well as E.J.'s blog. So thats a +1.

    Mail me at deepalipratap@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  51. I follow your blog and E.J.'s, so that's one additionally entry for me. :)

    My email: lauraisthedarkside AT hotmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  52. I Follow You and E.J.'s Blog +1

    My Email: mary(at)guthnur(dot)net

    Thanks for the great giveaway

    ReplyDelete
  53. I am a new follower but i LOVE your blog! You keep me sane during long hours at work :) This book sounds awesome! Count me in...

    paige(at)ayling(dot)com(dot)au

    ReplyDelete
  54. Sounds Good!:)
    tirachii@yahoo.com

    +1 following E.J. Stevens' blog

    ReplyDelete
  55. Awesome giveaway!!!

    +1 E.J. Steven's blog

    vicky.vak8(at)gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  56. Hey, I'd love to enter if I still can.

    I'm a follower of your blog and E.J. Stevens' blog too.

    jlynettes at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for taking the time to comment! I always do my very best to return the favour :)

Please note that this blog is an award-free zone!

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Pin It button on image hover