HELLHOLE by Gina Damico (Review and Book Tour)

Title: Hellhole
Author(s): Gina Damico
Edition: Hardcover, 368 pages (also available in eBook, and audio)
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: January 6, 2015
Source: Rockstar Book Tours 
Buy: Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Book Depository - Inkwood Books

The Summary

There was a time when geeky, squeaky-clean Max Kilgore would never lie or steal or even think about murder. Then he accidentally unearths a devil, and Max’s choices are no longer his own. The big red guy has a penchant for couch surfing and junk food—and you should never underestimate evil on a sugar high.

With the help of Lore, a former goth girl who knows a thing or two about the dark side, Max is racing against the clock to get rid of the houseguest from hell before time, and all the Flamin’ Hot Cheetos this side of the fiery abyss, run out.

(Goodreads)

My Opinion

I am so excited to be a part of this book tour (check out the other awesome stops on the schedule below) for Gina Damico's Hellhole!  I have throughly enjoyed her previous books, the Croak series containing Croak, Scorch, and Rogue.  I knew that I would love her newest endeavor, and I was totally on point.

What is always great about Gina's books is the humor infused throughout.  Even in the most dire of situations, and there are some doozies during the course of the book, there is always a grain of humor, even if it is self-deprecating or tinged with a slight hysterical edge.  In this crazy absurd premise, you would think that all the humor would make it even that more absurd, but I felt the humor was the most grounding aspect of the book.  Humans often use it as a defense mechanism or as an offensive attack.  Gina's deft hand crafts the humor into a support system to make the fact that poor Max Kilgore has gotten saddled with a "Satan" more believable.

Speaking of Max and his unfortunate houseguest, characterization is another aspect that Gina excels at.  Max is instantly endearing.  He is this nerdy, fossil-loving, crossword-doing outcast who is trying to make ends meet while taking care of a terminally ill mother.  He just wants to live his life, and is resigned to the fact that he is a non-entity in his town. But Burgundy Cluttermuck, Burg for short, blows that existence out of the water.  Burg is the embodiment of that creepy second cousin at family reunions that no one really likes but is made to put up with.  He has this presence of a slob and a greaseball, but there are glints of something much more sinister lurking underneath.  The extreme differences in personalities make every interaction between Max and Burg that much more enjoyable.  And of course the supporting characters are great as well.  I love Max's Mom so much, and Lore is great!  Each one of her characters adds to the overall plot and never felt superfluous to me, which I consider really important in order for a book to be enjoyable.

Now the plot I'll leave you to discover because the key to this book is getting surprised by what comes next straight out of left field.  But I will just say this: I was always right about cats.

Deliciously fun and frightfully hilarious, Hellhole by Gina Damico is one book you'll sink into and come out of blinking, trying to refocus on reality after the crazy romp you've just experienced. Highly recommended for all readers; it is a delight!

Extras

Book Trailer

Giveaway

We are giving away a Hardcover copy of HELLHOLE to TWO WINNERS
Giveaway is open to anywhere The Book Depository ships.
Giveaway ends on January 21st at 11:59 p.m. Pacific.

A NOTE FROM GINA: Hey there book fans! I'm running a Follow Frenzy giveaway over the course of this blog tour, and the prize is pretty neato: a signed copy of HELLHOLE wherein each chapter will have a little bit of trivia and/or a doodle handwritten by yours truly. (Gina) (Damico) To enter, all you have to do is follow me on one or more of my various social media outlets (Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Instagram, Youtube), then fill out this adorable little form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1MbfSsZCiALw_I_C7WpI0d71hPNe0b94Ot89sxFesUzM/viewform . That's it! The more things you follow, the more chances you will earn to win. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Final Rating

Book Cover: 4/5
Book Title: 5/5
Plot: 9/10
Characters: 10/10
Writing: 10/10
Ending: 9/10
Overall: 47/50: A

About the Author

Gina Damico is the author of Croak, Scorch, and Rogue, the grim-reapers-gone-wild books of the Croak trilogy. She has also dabbled as a tour guide, transcriptionist, theater house manager, scenic artist, movie extra, office troll, retail monkey, yarn hawker and breadmonger. A native of Syracuse, New York, she now lives outside Boston with her husband, two cats, and one dog, and while she has never visited hell in person, she has spent countless waking hours at the Albany Regional Bus Terminal, which is pretty darn close. Visit her website at www.ginadami.co.

WEBSITE | TUMBLR | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | GOODREADS

Tour Schedule

Week One

Jan. 5^th Xpresso Reads – Guest Post

   Fiction Fare – Spotlight

Jan. 6^th Paranormal Book Club – Guest Post

               Two Chicks on Books – Spotlight

Jan. 7^th A Dream Within A Dream – Review

  Book Jems – Guest Post

Jan. 8^th BookHounds YA – Interview

   YA Midnight Reads – Dual Review

Jan. 9^th Novel Novice – Guest Post

   Consuming Words and Worlds – Interview

Week Two

Jan. 12^th Once Upon a Twilight – Review

    Book Sniffers Anonymous – Interview

Jan. 13^th No BS Book Reviews – Interview

    The Best Books Ever – Review

Jan. 14^th Teen Readers’ Diary – Guest Post

    The Book Bratz – Review

Jan. 15^th Sweet Southern Home – Review

    Eli to the nth – Review

Jan. 16^th Bad Bird Reads – Guest Post

    Crossroad Reviews – Review 

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Trailer Thursday (34)

Today I'm bringing you a trailer for a debut contemporary/christian(ish)/scifi that will have you searching for the truth.  

Does God exist?  Is there anything to this whole Rapture idea?  And what really is the truth?  You'll find out right alongside Vivian when you pick up Vivian Apple at the End of the World!  

I would definitely check it out if you're looking for a new book to dive into.

Vivian Apple at the End of the World*

by Katie Coyle

Published Date: January 6, 2015


*This book is known under a different title (and has a different cover) in the UK.  Over there it is Vivian Versus the Apocalypse and was published by Hot Key Books on May 9, 2013.  so some of you may have already read this awesome book!

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Past. Present. Future. (32)

There are a a lot of these "What're you reading?" features around; here's my take on one.  

Hightlighting the books I've read, the books I'm reading, and the books I'm going to read; I'd love for you all to join in if you want!

PAST:

Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan - This was the pick for December's Inkwood Books YA Book Club (seriously come and hang out if you're in Tampa, FL!  There is a YA book club every second Monday of the month).  This is the 3rd time reading the book, and it's still so good!  I think that it is one to enjoy year round, but with the Christmas theme, it is particularly nice to enjoy snuggled up in December!





PRESENT:

The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan - I know, I know, what the heck have I been waiting for?  I sometimes have this issue with starting a series, but then never moving on to the second book.  It's a problem, and one that also confounds me because I typically love said series!  I'm so into the continuing saga of Percy Jackson, demigod extraordinaire.  Riordan's introduction of the Roman side of the demigods is so cool, and brings another aspect to two cultures that were so similar to each other.

Hellhole by Gina Damico - I am currently reading this in preparation for my spot on the book tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours (see the banner at the top of my blog!)  I LOVED Gina's Croak trilogy, and I was super excited to get a chance to read this for the book tour!  The book comes out on January 6th (that's tomorrow), so I HIGLY recommend you pick up a copy!  It's super funny and just this side of wicked! ; )

Winger by Andrew Smith - This is the pick for January's Inkwood Books YA Book Club (again seriously come and hang out if you're in Tampa, FL!  The YA book club meets every second Monday of the month).  I just started this (I realize that I need it read by next Monday STOP PRESSURING ME!) and so far it is laugh out loud funny.  Looking forward to finishing it, as I've heard really amazing things about all of Andrew's books!




FUTURE:

The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey -  YES this is STILL the pick for my future read....JEEZ guys, don't give me those judgey eyes!

If  you've read any of these books, let me know what you thought (but NO spoilers) down below in the comments!

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Waiting on Wednesday (88)

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we seriously can’t wait for.

Here's my pick for the week, that I seriously can't wait for:

Silver in the Blood

by Jessica Day George

Publication Date: July 7, 2015

Society girls from New York City circa 1890, Dacia and Lou never desired to know more about their lineage, instead preferring to gossip about the mysterious Romanian family that they barely knew. But upon turning seventeen, the girls must return to their homeland to meet their relatives, find proper husbands, and—most terrifyingly—learn the deep family secrets of The Claw, The Wing, and The Smoke. The Florescus, after all, are shape-shifters, and it is time for Dacia and Lou to fulfill the prophecy that demands their acceptance of this fate . . . or fight against this cruel inheritance with all their might.

With a gorgeous Romanian setting, stunning Parisian gowns, and dark brooding young men, readers will be swept up by this epic adventure of two girls in a battle for their lives.

(Summary from Goodreads)

I love that this has a werewolf (?) twist to it.  I love that it is set in the 1800s, and focuses on the glamour of being the "It" society girl of that time.  I love that it has some mystery and secrets.  I love that everything will turn on it's head for these two girls.  I love this description: "With a gorgeous Romanian setting, stunning Parisian gowns, and dark brooding young men, readers will be swept up by this epic adventure of two girls in a battle for their lives."

What book are you waiting for?

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2015 Debut Author Challenge

So it is that time of year once more, when you put down your last book read for 2014 and look ahead to all the many, many, many books you'll read in 2015.  

While I know it seems like I dropped off the face of the planet in 2014, I have been reading...just not reviewing.  

But to both renew my reading habits and revive my reviewing habits I am once more throwing my hat into the ring for the 2015 DEBUT AUTHOR CHALLENGE!!! 

This is a super fun way to get some momentum going for those awesome debut authors we all want to succeed, and to have a way to keep yourself accountable to read in 2015!

The information for the challenge is as follows:

First of all the challenge is hosted by the lovely Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl.  If you want to participate you can sign up for this challenge at her blog!

Challenge Objectives:

• To introduce readers to this year’s wonderful group of debut authors.
• To challenge readers to read 12 or more middle grade, young adult, and new adult debuts this year.

Challenge Rules:

• You must post your thoughts on each debut book you read in order for it to count towards the challenge. You can post anywhere: your blog, Goodreads, Amazon, YouTube, Tumblr, etc.
• You can join the challenge whenever you want.
• The debuts must have a publishing date in 2015 and must have been read between January 1, 2015 and January 31, 2016 (this extra month allows readers adequate time to read December debuts) in order to count.
• Each review gives you an entry into the monthly prize pack drawings. Make sure you post the links to my monthly link-ups. I always post these link-ups on the first day of the month, without fail.
• This challenge is open internationally, as are the monthly prize packs.
• I don’t care what language you write your reviews in, I just need to know which book you have reviewed so I can verify your entry. When you post your link, please include the title in English.

Which Books Count:

• The book must be classified as a middle grade, young adult, or new adult title.
• The book must be the author’s MG/YA/NA 2015 debut. (If the author has published adult fiction before, but this is their first MG/YA/NA book EVER it still counts.)
• Self-published books do not count, so if the author has self-published a MG/YA/NA book before and this is their first book published by a traditional publisher it counts toward the challenge.
• ARCs are fine, but only if you read them the year they are published. For example, if it’s 2015 but you read and reviewed an ARC of debut coming out in 2016, it does not count for 2015’s challenge (because the challenge is for 2015 debuts) and it will not count for 2016’s challenge (because you must read a 2016 debut in 2016 for it to count). This way participants who do not have access to ARCs are not at a disadvantage.

Pretty simple, no?  You definitely want to sign-up starting NOW, so you can get planning! Jana has some helpful links, like a Goodreads list and a Google spreadsheet of the 2015 debut books, so if you're stuck on what to read, hop on over to the main challenge post.

What I Am (hopefully) Reading:

12 books is the minimum (one for each month of the year), but I am shooting for 24 books total.  I want to spread them out, but I have a feeling that even though they "debut" in a certain month, my reading schedule may push them to the next month. We shall see what happens!

1. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard (2/15)
2. No Parking at the End Times by Bryan Bliss (2/15)
3. None of the Above by I.W. Gregorio (4/15)
4. Material Girls by Elaine Dimopoulos (5/15)
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Off to a great start, huh?  Again, I don't know if I'll get to all 24 nor do I know what 5-24 are going to be.  I need to get one for January.....HAPPY READING!

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Waiting on Wednesday (87)

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we seriously can’t wait for.

Here's my pick for the week, that I seriously can't wait for:

The Memory Key

by Liana Liu

Publication Date: March 3, 2015

In a five-minutes-into-the-future world, a bereaved daughter must choose between losing memories of her mother to the haze of time and the reality-distorting, visceral pain of complete, perfect recall.

Lora Mint is determined not to forget.

Though her mother’s been dead for five years, Lora struggles to remember every detail about her—most importantly, the specific events that occurred the night she sped off in her car, never to return.

But in a world ravaged by Vergets disease, a viral form of Alzheimer’s, that isn’t easy. Usually Lora is aided by her memory key, a standard-issue chip embedded in her brain that preserves memories just the way a human brain would. Then a minor accident damages Lora’s key, and her memories go haywire. Suddenly Lora remembers a moment from the night of her mother’s disappearance that indicates her death was no accident. Can she trust these formerly forgotten memories? Or is her ability to remember every painful part of her past driving her slowly mad—burying the truth forever?

Lora’s longing for her lost mother and journey to patch up her broken memories is filled with authentic and poignant emotion. Her race to uncover the truth is a twisty ride. In the end, Liana Liu’s story will spark topical conversations about memory and privacy in a world that is reliant on increasingly invasive forms of technology.

(Summary from Goodreads)

This is a really interesting premise.  The idea of everyone, not just older people, being affected by something like Alzheimer's is pretty scary.  To lose your whole past and having to rely on some chip to help you remember?  I defintely want to read this!!  Sounds like a cool development of a possible modern future, so I'm putting it on my "Buy When It Comes Out List" for sure!

What book are you waiting for?

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