Blaze (or Love in the Time of Supervillains) by Laurie Boyle Crompton – Special Feature!

Posted 6 February, 2013 by Danny in Author Spotlight, Blog, Blog Tour, Danny, Danny's Book Review, Featured, Giveaways / 46 Comments

BlazeBlaze (or Love in the Time of Supervillains)

Genre: YA Contemporary
Publication: February 1st 2013 by Sourcebooks Fire
Copy from publisher
Get your own: amazon | BookDepository
Rating:
Blaze by Laurie Boyle Crompton on goodreads: 

Blaze is tired of spending her life on the sidelines, drawing comics and feeling invisible. She’s desperate for soccer star Mark to notice her. And when her BFF texts Mark a photo of Blaze in sexy lingerie, it definitely gets his attention. After a hot date in the back of her minivan, Blaze is flying high, but suddenly Mark’s feelings seem to have been blasted by a freeze-ray gun, and he dumps her. Blaze gets her revenge by posting a comic strip featuring uber-villain Mark the Shark. Mark then retaliates by posting her “sext” photo, and, overnight, Blaze goes from Super Virgin Girl to Super Slut. That life on the sidelines is looking pretty good right about now…

 

The second I saw the cover and read the synopsis I knew I wanted to read this book! It sounded cute and funny! So I’m excited to share my thoughts with you today and have Laurie Boyle there with a phenomenal Guest Post! Oh and.. I have a Giveaway!

Blaze

 

Blaze – Geeky, Nerdy and so cute!

When I meet Blaze I knew I was going to like her! She was quirky, funny, snarky totally geeky and a true Nerd! She loves Comic – the old ones, the original ones and she LOVED to talk about them. And that, even though her friends sometimes roll their eyes at her. But, that’s her passion and that’s her world. I love her for this! Blaze never had a real boyfriend so she falls head over heels when the cute Soccer Trainer of her brother shows interest in her. In that sense, she was a little naive, but totally understandable and genuine.

Blaze and the Boys!

And.. I don’t mean the boyfriend boys, but her kid brother and his friends. Blaze drives them constantly around and to Soccer practice and seeing them interact was the cutest and most heart warming ever. Blaze loves and adores her brother and of course also the other way around. Even the other boys love Blaze fiercely. They would go through fire for each other. This was one aspect of the book I loved the most, the relationship between Blaze and the boys!

Blaze , Love, Bullying and bad choices..

Sadly for Blaze the whole first boyfriend situation goes totally wrong and Blaze finds herself being a target from the whole school. I found the story to be filled with great topics and issues Teens these days most definitely have to face. There is a lot of bullying and social media danger that was delivered in a hurtful, but genuine way. We feel with Blaze when everything goes downhill and we desperately hope for everything to be better… Of course, Blaze makes some bad choices along the way, but I totally think Teens in her situation might have done the same..

But, fear not.. the ending was just as amazing as the whole story and I can wholeheartedly give this book 5 stars of awesome!

Bewitched Rating

Bottom Line

Blaze by Laurie Boyle Crompton was a surprisingly refreshing story about bad choices a hurtful first love story and how bullying can destroy people. Blaze is a cute geeky girl who easily got a place in my heart and her story touched me, made me laugh and just made me happy. I’m excited I got to meet Blaze and I would love to meet her again 🙂

 

 contemporary hilarious  

And now, I’m excited to hand over to Laurie Boyle Crompton on ..

Why My Character is “Comic Book Cool”

Blaze’s character showed up in my mind like Blam! Pow! “Tell my story!” She’s really into comics and is sort of stuck in her life as an outsider, but she isn’t ashamed of being a geek. She displays her superhero buttons proudly and is constantly drawing and reading comics. I couldn’t wait to write about her. Of course, working on a project where studying comic books counted as research was a bonus!

My step-father has this Ah-mazing! collection much like the one Blaze’s dad has in the book and I remember staying up late at night reading through stacks of them as a kid. I would try to tell my friends about these awesome characters like the Silver Surfer and Iron Man, and I’d even try to imitate Thor’s Norse God way of speaking. This was before the movies made these guys more mainstream and I was definitely on the fringe with my obsession, but when I’d find another comic book nerd we had an instant bond.

As I was writing, Blaze surprised me when she fought back against Mark the way she did and I knew at that point I could just allow her character to take over. Of course things don’t go as she plans, but no matter what tight spots she finds herself in, she uses comic books to guide and empower her. Readers who aren’t into comic books will definitely still enjoy Blaze, but my hope is that she will inspire them to check out comics for themselves, too!

Blog Art - BlazingGoddessSketches Blog Art - MarkShark_Trading Card

Images copyright  © 2012 Anne Cain

And last but not least, because I loved this book so freaking much. I’m happy to give away a copy to one lucky winner! Open International!!
Just enter the Rafflecopter below!
Much Love,

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Obsessive Reader by Night - Scientist at Day! You can also find me on goodreads. I'd love to get to know you so, don't be shy and say Hello!

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46 Responses to “Blaze (or Love in the Time of Supervillains) by Laurie Boyle Crompton – Special Feature!”

  1. I do love geeky girls, being one myself. I really want to read this because I used to read and like comic books but ultimately was driven away by the terrible sexism throughout the mainstream industry. I’ve gotten a bit back into them now with being able to find comics online that doesn’t have the “every woman has no spine to give the boobs & butt shot, which of course are size HH, and wearing heels” going on.

    Anyways, I’m curious to meet Blaze and what her views/comics are like and to see how the whole slut shaming gets dealt with here.
    Brooke Banks recently posted..Around the Blogosphere: Live To Read: 100+ Book Giveaway Month!My Profile

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  2. Amber Hsu

    I love geeky girls~~~ I also love any stories with a strong female character who would stand up for herself~ I think it was why I liked Blaze instantly. Really want to read the book!

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  3. Geeky girls rock!!!! 😉 I am really interested in this book. It sounds different from other books I’ve read and I’m really excited to learn more about Blaze. Just her name is freakin’ awesome!! lol

    Thanks for the chance & good luck everyone!!!
    Rose. P recently posted..January 2013 RecapMy Profile

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  4. Katherine Eccleston

    I love geeky girls and comic books so I definitely want to read this book!
    Great blog post…and thanks for an awesome giveaway =)

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  5. I’m about 30% through this and she’s just falling for Mark, despite Josh’s warnings…I can see bad things on the horizon for poor Blaze. But I’m really enjoying it (I had to put it aside when SCARLET dropped in my box yesterday but I’m definitely picking it back up!).
    Mary @ BookSwarm recently posted..Waiting on…THE OATHBREAKER’S SHADOW by AmyMy Profile

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    Danny 2/7/2013

    Oh yes I know….. Poor Josh tried sooo hard to warn her about Marc the Shark!! I’m also reading Scarlet right now!!!
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  6. Yayyyy So glad you loved this one! I thought it was really great, and lots of realistic issues to talk about, but still keeping it light at times with all the superhero themes 🙂
    Brittany @ The Book Addict’s Guide recently posted..The Scorpio Races – Maggie StiefvaterMy Profile

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    Danny 2/7/2013

    Ahh I’m so excited to hear that you also loved it”!!!! It was the perfect blend of seriousness and fun!
    Danny recently posted..Through the Ever Night by Veronica RossiMy Profile

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  7. I saw this one on NetGalley Danny and am BEYOND bummed that I didn’t request it! Clearly it’s brilliant and I need to buy myself a copy asap. I adore a geeky girl as I am one myself, so I’m already pretty much in love with Blaze, and feeling mighty protective of her given what happens with that picture. Poor girl!

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    Danny 2/7/2013

    I know!! I also nearly passed on this but then I got it and I was sooooo happy I read it!!!! YES we are all small Geek girls and yes, I also felt very protective of her! She’s so cute in her nerdiness!!! YOU will love it!! A must read Jenny!
    Danny recently posted..Through the Ever Night by Veronica RossiMy Profile

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  8. I really loved reading Blaze too! She was so quirky and fun! Her bad decisions broke my heart, but in the end, it made her such a strong person and character!
    I am so excited to be able to go to Laurie’s signing this Thursday! I can’t wait to see the finished book with all its illustrations!
    Great review, Danny!!! 🙂
    Margie aka The Bumble Girl recently posted..Waiting On Wednesday #46: Fangirl by Rainbow RowellMy Profile

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    Danny 2/7/2013

    Yes you are right! She grew and she knew that she made some bad decisions and just faced the consequences!! Love her so much!
    Totally need my on finished copy!
    Danny recently posted..Through the Ever Night by Veronica RossiMy Profile

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  9. Blaze seems to make up half the population of girls I know today. I cannot wait to read this book! It seems that this is a story that a lot of us can relate to! Thanks so much for the giveaway! Good luck all!

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  10. Yes, this is SUCH a great book! I loved the whole sibling relationship. And I was SO mad at her friend who took the pic. What a freaking IDIOT! I just felt horrible for Blaze! Fantastic review!
    Candace recently posted..Review: Out of the Easy by Ruta SepetysMy Profile

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    Danny 2/7/2013

    I was squealing when I saw your review yesterday and that you also gave it 5 stars!! It was soooo awesome!!! And YES her friend *frowns* that was so bad ;((
    Danny recently posted..Through the Ever Night by Veronica RossiMy Profile

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  11. Do I like geeky girls? I better, I am one. Especially with books. That’s why I’m a blogger so I can be geeky with other bloggers! No one else gets me!! Well, maybe my 13 yr old son, he’s taking after me (YAY!). I’ve read Blaze the arc but I need to see the artwork and I want a copy for myself. It’s an amazing story and I have some girls in the neighborhood I want to read it. Some for a cautionary tale and some to help them out with a similar situation.

    Heather
    hrose2931 recently posted..Blaze (or Love in the Time of Super Villains) by Laurie Boyle Crompton ReviewMy Profile

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    Danny 2/7/2013

    Ahahah we are review twins Heather!!! I just read your review and sooo happy you loved Blaze like me!!!!
    She was such a acute character and I loved her so much.. Oh and the boys!!! The boys were cute and so protective of her!
    Danny recently posted..Through the Ever Night by Veronica RossiMy Profile

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  12. Haily

    I’ve been super excited to read this book for weeks. I read the sample on Amazon and fell in love with the story as soon as I read about the game Cows and Blaze’s interesting strategy to win. Plus, Mark the shark is an awesome villain name! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  13. I adore nerdy main characters, and Blaze sounds like a lot of fun to read about! Funnily enough, I didn’t actually know what this book was about until now, even though I’ve seen the brilliant cover around plenty of times. I really like the sound of it. 🙂 Great review and thanks for sharing!

    Reply »

    Danny 2/7/2013

    Haha this happens to me constantly. I see a book and never really read the synopsis or truly get what it is about! This one was fantastic and I hope you are going to read it Sam!
    Danny recently posted..Through the Ever Night by Veronica RossiMy Profile

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  14. So, I’m a super geek. I’ve played video games since a child and until recently played them daily. I would totally get hooked on another video game, but I fear for my house if I leave my toddler unattended for more than 5 minutes. He got into my office today and removed every book on my bookshelf that he could reach. Being a little OCD with my books, I’d rather them sit on the floor than put them back on the shelf out of order.

    Anyways, I definitely plan on reading Blaze. Sooner rather than later if I win the giveaway. *wink*
    Lizzy recently posted..Comment on 10 Questions You’re Too Scared To Ask – Michael Cargill by LilyMy Profile

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  15. The moment I saw it on goodreads I was already sold from the cover itself but when I read the synopsis I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. I love geek girls too so I highly recommend you to read geek girl

    Thanks for the giveaway! I wish I win.

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  16. Sundeep

    I am a geeky girl myself and I love reading stories about geeky girls (it’s a nice change from the popular girl) Can’t wait to read Blaze and Thank you for the gievaway!

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  17. I think I can relate to Blaze pretty well! I’m a geeky girl at heart, and I’ve also been waiting for the guy to notice me (although I maybe wouldn’t sext him, but well) and I’d love to see that play out! Sounds like a really funny story.

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