Blog Tour: Colony East by Scott Cramer (review, giveaway)

Colony East (Toucan Trilogy #2)
written by Scott Cramer
published by Train Renoir Publishing

find it here: (affiliate links) Barnes & Noble, Amazon, iBooks, Smashwords, Book Depository, Goodreads

Why did I pick this book: I participated in the blog tour hosted by CBB Book Promotions. Plus, I loved the first book, Night of the Purple Moon, (see my review here) and couldn’t wait to read this installment. (I received a copy of this book for review purposes.)

Did I enjoy this book: Yes, yes, yes. I couldn’t put this book down. I probably would have devoured it in one sitting had I not had other obligations to attend to (much like what happen with the first book, Night of the Purple Moon).

Colony East was a wonderful addition to this series. I can’t believe how much I enjoyed it. Too often with trilogies, the second book is a bridge where nothing much happens but it is necessary in order to get to the other side. That is so not the case here. So much happens. So much stuff!!! I’m reeling from it. It was non-stop action and information, drama and emotion.

*** The remainder of this review will contain spoilers for those who have not read Night of the Purple Moon. This review will also be a bit cryptic because I really don’t want to give too much away. Consider yourself warned. ***

We pick up a few days after where Night of the Purple Moon left off, Abby had taken the pill and was trying to get one to her brother Jordan. After recovering in Massachusetts, Abby, Jordan, Mel (their former neighbor), Mandy, and Timmy (the girl who hated yet saved them along with her new “brother”), make plans to get back to Castine Island. It is a struggle and an adventure to get there but they make it. Abby is a caring young lady, but that compassion can be her downfall. Jordan holds a grudge and takes awhile to see the truth. Mandy committed an unspeakable act but redeemed herself and then some.

Fast forward one year, and we are introduced to Lieutenant Dawson and Colony East. Colony East is set in the New York City in hotels and other buildings that survived the Purple Moon aftermath. The few surviving adults, those quarantined in the CDC and those military personnel on submarines, have taken over a few large metropolitan areas and are trying to rebuild civilization. They have chosen children who appear strong, eager to follow, and who fit the mold. Lieutenant Dawson finds himself as a Lieutenant, teacher, mentor, father, uncle, friend, and brother. He wears many hats and he seems to truly care about his cadets. It is heartbreaking to read about his bed checks. Sometimes you forget the cadets are children, children who have lost parents and older siblings. He also holds a memory of his infant daughter and wife. He does not know the fate of his daughter but hopes that she is out there somewhere. Lieutenant Dawson is a good guy. He follows orders, does what is expected, but he also has a conscience.

Meanwhile on Castine Island, Abby is the first medical responder, Jordan is the lead sailor, and Toby is the lead negotiator with the news gypsies, groups of kids who sail up and down the coast trading news for food, goods, medical treatments, etc. Soon Touk finds herself with the Pig, a new disease that causes children to eat and eat and eat before they develop a very high fever. After Jordan leaves with a group of gypsies to sail for a bit, Abby finds herself heading towards Colony East to find a cure for Touk. What she finds is hard for her to accept and believe. Abby is strong but still a tad bit naive. I know these are kids, but these kids have set up trading, fuel kingdoms, medical services, and have learned how to survive without the help of the few adults that have survived. It is truly amazing to see what the kids have come up with and how they are making their own rules and protocol.

The end! Why must you leaving me hanging, Mr. Cramer? Why? I believe the first outburst when I read the last sentence was, “Oh, come on!” I have to know what happens next. I care about these kids. I want to know if they are okay. (This is how much Mr. Cramer has sucked me in with the Toucan Trilogy.) How long will I have to wait? I’m a bit impatient. It was a great ending, and as you can see, it has left me wanting more. More. Now. Please!

Would I recommend it: Yes! But you have to read Night of the Purple Moon first. See the blurb below and the “find it here” links.

Will I read it again: I will not but I cannot wait until the last book in the Toucan Trilogy, Generation M. Seriously, Mr. Cramer, if you have an advanced copy, I’d be more than happy to help you out with a review. 😉

About the book: In a terrifying world where an epidemic has killed off most of the world’s adults, fifteen-year-old Abby struggles to keep her brother and sister safe.

When a new, deadly disease spreads among the survivors, Abby must make the dangerous journey to Colony East, an enclave of hidden scientists caring for a small group of children for reasons unknown.

Abby fears that time is running short for the victims, but she’s soon to learn that time is running out for everyone outside Colony East.

 

Night of the Purple Moon (The Toucan Trilogy #1)
written by Scott Cramer
published by Train Renoir Publishing

find it here: (affiliate links) CURRENTLY FREE! Barnes & Noble, Amazon, iBooks, Book Depository, Smashwords, Goodreads

See my review and interview with Mr. Cramer here.

About the book – from Goodreads: The epidemic strikes only those who have passed through puberty.

Abby Leigh is looking forward to watching the moon turn purple. For months, astronomers have been predicting that Earth will pass through the tail of a comet. They say that people will see colorful sunsets and, best of all, a purple moon.

But nobody has predicted the lightning-fast epidemic that sweeps across the planet on the night of the purple moon. The comet brings space dust with it that contains germs that attack human hormones. Older teens and adults die within hours of exposure.

On a small island off the coast of Maine, Abby must help her brother and baby sister survive in this new world, but all the while she has a ticking time bomb inside of her — adolescence.

 

About the author: Scott Cramer has written feature articles for national magazines, covered school committee meetings for a local newspaper, published haiku and poetry, optioned a screenplay, and produced customer reference accounts for a big computer company. His pursuit of a good story has put him behind the stick of an F-18, flying a Navy Blue Angels’ fighter jet, and he has trekked through the Peruvian mountains in search of an ancient Quechua festival featuring a condor. He is the author of Night of the Purple Moon and Colony East. Scott and his wife have two daughters and reside outside Lowell, Massachusetts (birthplace of Jack Kerouac) in an empty nest/zoo/suburban farm/art studio with too many surfboards in the garage

Find Mr. Cramer here: Website,  Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads

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