PODs
Release Date: 06/24/13
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Paperback/ebook
312 pages
Summary from Goodreads:
Seventeen-year-old Eva is a chosen one. Chosen to live, while others meet a swift and painful death from an incurable virus so lethal, a person is dead within days of symptoms emerging. In the POD system, a series of underground habitats built by the government, she waits with the other chosen for the deadly virus to claim those above. Separated from family and friends, it's in the PODs she meets David. And while true love might not conquer all, it's a balm for the broken soul.
After a year, scientists believe the population has died, and without living hosts, so has the virus. That's the theory, anyway. But when the PODs are opened, survivors find the surface holds a vicious secret. The virus mutated, infecting those left top-side and creating... monsters.
Eva and David hide from the infected in the abandoned PODs. Together they try to build a life--a new beginning. But the infected follow and are relentless in their attacks. Leaving Eva and David to fight for survival, and pray for a cure.
After a year, scientists believe the population has died, and without living hosts, so has the virus. That's the theory, anyway. But when the PODs are opened, survivors find the surface holds a vicious secret. The virus mutated, infecting those left top-side and creating... monsters.
Eva and David hide from the infected in the abandoned PODs. Together they try to build a life--a new beginning. But the infected follow and are relentless in their attacks. Leaving Eva and David to fight for survival, and pray for a cure.
Praise for the Amazon
Bestselling PODs:
"5 Stars! I
loved this book. I have been kind of bogged down with dystopias lately, but
this was amazing. It was so cool to see life before the 'event', to see Eva
wrestle with her choices and then, to watch her change as she lived inside the
PODs...Yes, there are zombies. Yes, there's a little romance. But I think, at its
heart, PODs is a coming of age story about Eva and how she grows from a girl
into a strong, decisive woman during this period of absolute destruction. And
Pickett writes it beautifully." ~ Sherry Ficklin, author of "Extracted"
"I was blown
away by this debut novel from Michelle Pickett! Rather than feeling like I was
reading a book, I actually sometimes felt like I was actually watching the
characters' lives progress; it was kind of weird! The emotions that Eva felt
were so raw and real, and I think Michelle really captured the emotions that
one would be feeling in a post-apocalyptic world...PODs may very well be one of
the next big things in YA, so I am very happy to have been one of the ones that
was part of the beginning of it all! Congrats Michelle on your YA debut and I
am looking forward to more by you! I gave PODs a
well-deserved 5/5 stars! " ~Phil book reviewer at
Stack of Hardbacks
“5
glowing, sparkling stars for this one!...I absolutely adored every character
Michelle introduces us to. This book isn't just about a romance, or two people
fighting some battle. This book allows us to get to know several, amazing,
diverse characters who all grab your heart (even a few who have attitude
issues). They all held such an important place in the story… Now for the plot.
Holy crap!... Michelle did a flippin' fantastic job giving us each piece of
this puzzle… I won't go into details about what happens after they are
removed from the POD but O-M-G! The action never stops…This book seriously
needs to be a movie. I could picture every detail and already see it playing
out on screen. PLEASE SOMEONE MAKE THIS HAPPEN!” ~Jessica of Total Bookaholic
Buy Links:
Also Available from:
Books-A-Million
Books-A-Million
Wal-Mart
Excerpt:
“Who
ate all the damn strawberries?” Aidan yelled. “I was saving them for my
cereal.”
“I
did. Use the banana,” Josh said.
“A
banana isn’t a strawberry. I marked the container with my name. You’re a jerk—”
The
container hit the metal wall of the chute with a crack. I always jumped when it
did that. I hated it. It reminded me of the banging and crunching we’d heard
when Cam’s sub-POD was cut off from the main.
“It’s
not time for our blood checks,” I said.
“Maybe
it’s strawberries. I’d really like some strawberries… Josh,” Aidan said, an
edge to his voice.
“Drop
dead,” Josh replied, never looking up from his computer.
David
got up from the table where we were having breakfast. Taking the container from
the chute, he pulled a manila envelope out of the basket.
He
dumped the contents on the table for everyone to see. Inside were ten name
badges, one for each of us. Our photos— except Faith’s— and names were printed
on one side; the other had barcodes. David scanned the label on the envelope,
his face growing pale. “What’s it say, David?” I whispered.
“‘The seals to each sub-POD will be
broken tomorrow morning. Do not attempt to leave your sub-POD. Officers will
give residents directions and escort them to their appropriate area topside.’ That’s all it
says.”
“It’s
over,” Tiffany murmured, pulling the baby close.
“Hot
damn! Finally, I’m free of this tin can,” Josh jumped up and hurried to the
guys’ bedroom.
Well, at least Josh is happy. Why aren’t
the rest of us? I thought we’d be excited. But instead everyone looks… anxious.
What will we find up there? What has the world become?
“Well,
guess we should start packing up our stuff,” Aidan said.
“Yeah, I guess so,” Seth agreed, rising slowly
from his seat, rubbing his hands up and down his thighs.
One
by one, everyone walked to their sleeping areas and started packing their
belongings— except me. I sat in the living room alone, flicking the corner of
my name badge with my fingernail. The lanyard wound so tightly around my
fingers they turned red. My insides were quivering, jittery. Something wasn’t
right. For fifteen months we’d all looked forward to the moment we could leave,
but now that the time was here it felt… wrong.
About the Author:
I'm a wife, mother, author, reader, although not always in that order. I write young adult urban fantasies, science/fiction and paranormal romances and have recently started dabbling in young adult contemporary romance. Reading was one of my earliest passions, writing soon followed. I began writing seriously during college where I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in accounting. Why I chose a career that frowns on creativity remains a mystery.
I’m addicted to Reese’s peanut butter cups and eat way too many while I write, have an abnormal obsession with hoodies and can’t write without one, and I hate to cook, but love to watch cooking shows on television. An unabashed romantic, I love a swoon-worthy ending that will give me butterflies for days.
I wrote my debut young adult novel, PODs, in 2011. PODs, a science/fiction, post-apocalyptic romance, will be released June 4, 2013 through the amazing Spencer Hill Press. My second young adult title, Milayna, a paranormal romance, will release through Spencer Hill Press beginning in March 2014. Milayna is a standalone, with series potential. It’s meant to be a trilogy. The Infected, a PODs novel, will release November 2014. It is the second, and last, book in the PODs series.
I was born and raised in Flint, Michigan. I now reside in a small community outside Houston, Texas with my incredibly supportive, not to mention gorgeous, husband, three amazing school-aged children, a 125-pound lap dog, and a snooty cat.
Keep up-to-date with my current, future projects, appearances, and fun giveaways at www.michelle-pickett.com.
I always love to hear from readers, bloggers and other authors!
Find me here:
Giveaway
First place: Signed copy
of PODs, tote bag, and swag (US only see note for international)
Second place: Signed copy of PODs and swag (US only see note for international)
*International winners will receive a print copy of PODs only if www.Bookdepository.com
delivers to their country. Otherwise they will receive an e-book. Swag will not
be included.
Book Blitz Organized by:
Pods sounds fantastic! I definitely want to read this one. I can't wait to find out what happens. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete~Jess