The Farm by Emily McKay Blog Tour and Giveaway

I’m thrilled to share a little about The Farm, Emily McKay’s post-apocalyptic vampire novel, on my stop on the Escape is Only the Beginning blog tour. It’s been ages since I’ve read about the dark and scary type of vampires but I figured I better brush up on my end of the world prep and this is as good a place to start as any! I have a review, exclusive Q&A, and a zombie apocalypse survival kit giveaway opportunity to help you in these dark times as well!

About The Farm:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound

The Farm by Emily McKay book coverLife was different in the Before: before vampires began devouring humans in a swarm across America; before the surviving young people were rounded up and quarantined. These days, we know what those quarantines are—holding pens where human blood is turned into more food for the undead monsters, known as Ticks. Surrounded by electrical fences, most kids try to survive the Farms by turning on each other…

And when trust is a thing of the past, escape is nearly impossible.

Lily and her twin sister Mel have a plan. Though Mel can barely communicate, her autism helps her notice things no one else notices—like the portion of electrical fence that gets turned off every night. Getting across won’t be easy, but as Lily gathers what they need to escape, a familiar face appears out of nowhere, offering to help…

Carter was a schoolmate of Lily’s in the Before. Managing to evade capture until now, he has valuable knowledge of the outside world. But like everyone on the Farm, Carter has his own agenda, and he knows that behind the Ticks is an even more dangerous threat to the human race…

I was a little apprehensive to pick up The Farm. The vampire apocalypse is a little out of my comfort zone, but sometimes it’s fun to be scared and try something new. The Farm is also about the bond between sisters and features multiple POV, so that’s a plus in my book. The book starts off with a bang and the tension doesn’t let up throughout. McKay sets up the story well and slowly feeds information about the post-apocalyptic world and it’s inhabitants. There are lots of secrets and surprises in store.

Lily and her autistic younger sister Mel are twins and take turns with the narration, along with Lily’s crush from “before”, Carter. Lily’s POV is the dominant one, and is interspersed with short chapters from Mel and Carter. Mel likes to speak in nursery rhyme, and music, rhythm and tempo are very important to her making sense of the world. Her chapters are a trip and I liked getting inside her mind. Lily is very protective of Mel, especially since they are the only family they have left. The book is very strong on characterization and that made me feel more of a connection to them.

Lily wants to escape the farm with Mel before their 18th birthday. When you turn 18, you are supposed to be set free, but Lily suspects they really will be Tick food instead. Lily has an escape plan all worked out, but with Carter’s arrival the plans evolve into something bigger.

On the journey there’s romance, reveals, shocks and gore. There are some very clever twists in the book too that make me relieved there is a sequel. The pacing is great and I was entertained throughout. I liked the pop culture references in the dialogue poking fun of Twilight vampires and Vampire Diaries as well. I was pleasantly surprised with The Farm, and the strong characterization and fresh take on vampires won me over.

Go to the official Escape the Farm website for behind the scenes info & to earn points to win cool prizes.

Exclusive Q&A with Emily McKay!

Is Carter based on anyone in your life, or are his characteristics designed exclusively for the purposes of the book?

Emily McKay: Carter is based on my vision of the many good men I’ve known in my life.  I truly believe that they all have the ability to do amazing, protective, wonderful things to save the world, only they don’t have the opportunity (because mutated humans that drink blood haven’t attacked civilization as we know it).  Carter has that opportunity and he totally steps up and saves Lily and the world as she knows it (with a little help from her, of course).

Check out the next stop on the tour Dec. 10 for more exclusive content @ Young Adult Book Reviews.

Congrats to Sunny who won a copy of The Farm and a zombie apocalypse survival kit!

Ornament

23 thoughts on “The Farm by Emily McKay Blog Tour and Giveaway

  1. VeganYANerds says:

    Luce, this sounds so good and unique, too! I was umming and ahhing over whether or not to read it but your mention of the sisters and their relationship has me convinced!

    1. Lucy says:

      We both enjoy contemporary and I think The Farm has a lot to offer contemporary fans too. Can’t wait to hear what you think!

  2. Emily McKay says:

    Hi Lucy,
    Thanks for having me on the blog tour! I totally appreciate it!
    And thanks for the great review, also. 🙂

    1. Lucy says:

      Thanks, Emily! Looking forward to The Lair next year. Hope it will also have multiple POV, and more Mel 🙂

  3. This was already on my tbr list, and I can’t wait to read it! My favorite vampire book is The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa.

    1. Lucy says:

      The Immortal Rules also has post-apocalyptic vampires, right? I need to read that one before the sequel comes out! Can’t wait to hear what you think of The Farm.

  4. Candice says:

    This one sounds great! While I love vampires from like Twilight, Vampire Diaries, etc. there’s something awesome about scary vampires!

  5. fishgirl182 says:

    thanks for the great review, lucy. the farm sounds right up my alley. i love those creepy, tense books. and multiple povs sound really interesting, too, especially mel’s chapters.

    1. Lucy says:

      Mel’s chapters are awesome- I’m looking forward to her POV in the sequel too. And you already have a copy, so yay!

  6. Readsalot81 says:

    I’m a big fan of Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy and subsequent series, Bloodlines. The Farm sounds really intriguing and I can’t wait to check it out! 😀

    1. Lucy says:

      VA and Bloodlines are both great. Hope you like The Farm too when you get the chance to read it 🙂

  7. Sunny says:

    I really liked your review and felt the same. I haven’t read it yet, but even though I don’t read vampire books, this looks really interesting!

  8. Vivien says:

    I love The Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead 🙂
    tweet:
    https://twitter.com/deadtossedwaves/status/277187398583083009

    1. Lucy says:

      Thanks for sharing the giveaway, Vivien! VA is one of my faves too 🙂

  9. I’d heard about The Farm and must admit at first I thought ‘here we go again – vampires and post-apocalyptic world blah blah’ but your description of the different POVs, the two sisters and especially the autistic one has me intrigued so I think I’d give it go. Plus – can’t beat mean vampires!

    1. Lucy says:

      Yes, mean vampires- what a concept, right?! Mel is a really interesting character. Hope you enjoy the book if you get the chance to read it.

  10. I can’t think of any post-apocalyptic books I’ve read off the top of my head. Does dystopian count? My favorite dystopian is Project ELE by Rebecca Gober & Courtney Nuckles, which includes the end of the world as we know it so it kind of qualifies.

    Favorite vampire book would be Anne Rice’s series and I do love the vamps in Carpe Jugulum (Discworld, #23).

    I shared this on facebook but there doesn’t seem to be a way to put my link in the form. Do you check personally or am I suppose to list it here?

    Sorry, found your blog through this blog tour so I’m not sure how you do things. I just want to make sure I’m doing it right.

    Thanks for the chance to win!

    1. Lucy says:

      I just use the honor system for the links- thanks for entering & sharing the giveaway 🙂

      That dystopian book sounds intriguing, and the Anne Rice books are great too.

  11. bookgoonie says:

    The title & the cover would never had brought vampire post-Apolcolypse to mind. But when you know that, it makes it all the creepier. Tick! Creepy. It does sound unique.

  12. This book sounds really good! Great review!

  13. Erika says:

    I enjoyed The Forest of Hands and Teeth but haven’t read too many zombie/vampire apocalypse books. Thanks

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