Take a photo of a barcode or cover
2.54k reviews by:
bookbriefs
Honestly, I have been a little over vampires for several years now, but Stained Egos made me rethink this position. I really enjoyed this novel. I love the idea of brotherhood' s forming, training and fighting together and then being bound by their sixth, which is a female vampire.
The competition elements were also really interesting. I loved all of the guys and I really loved how close they all seemed together. The guys are all vampires as well, but they are each mixed breeds. Some are shifters, druids, dream or mind walkers. I think it will make for a very interesting series. I am already excited to pick up book 2.
The competition elements were also really interesting. I loved all of the guys and I really loved how close they all seemed together. The guys are all vampires as well, but they are each mixed breeds. Some are shifters, druids, dream or mind walkers. I think it will make for a very interesting series. I am already excited to pick up book 2.
.jpeg)
Really excited about this series. I love the idea of shifters falling into one of two camps- the normal shifters, which are people who shift into animals that exist in the real world and mythological shifters- people who shift into mythological creatures, which are much more rare. Our main group has a Puca, a Kraken, a Ceraptar, a gargoyle, a Kitsune and a Pheonix. It is by far the most interesting mix of creatures I have encountered in a shifter series. Can't wait to see where it goes!
**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: https://bookbriefs.net**
Skies of Olympus is the first book in the Immortality trials series by author Eliza Raine. The Immortality trials is a unique series set up that I am really digging. This is a line from the summary "Join Lyssa as she takes on the deadly Trials alongside giants, centaurs, satyrs and gods in the first three of twelve episodes of this Greek mythology fantasy retelling." Umm, yes please! Sign me up right away! It is a young adult mythology fantasy split up into twelve trials. Each of the books in the series will feature 3 of the 12 trials. Skies of Olympus features the trials of Hera, Athena and Artemis. I love a bind up of shorter stories that are interconnected because once you get going, you just fly through the pages.
I will admit that this story had a bit of a slow and a tad confusing start for me. Here we meet Lyssa, our main character, and the daughter of a cruel Hercules. Lyssa is the captain of her own smuggling ship, where she smuggles goods between the realms of the 12 gods. I am all about a good quest or trials book and that is exactly what Eliza Raine delivers. I loved the first three trials and I am already hungry for more. If you are like me and you are kind of confused at the start of the story, just stick with it. After a little while, everything clicks and the story takes off from there.
One of my favorite things about stories centered around Greek mythology are all of the interesting characters, which was a highlight in Skies of Olympus for me as well. Lyssa is a great main character, and I think we still have many things to learn about her. But what is even better is that throughout the trials, we get to meet new characters. The side.secondary characters are just as much fun as Lyssa. After I read the second book, I will do a character roundup for some of my favorite secondary characters.
Overall, if you are a fan of mythology books, the Immorality Trials is a series you are going to want to check out. Skies of Olympus was a good start to a series that I think will become a very addictive and fun read. I can't wait for the next three trials.
This review was originally posted on Book Briefs
Skies of Olympus is the first book in the Immortality trials series by author Eliza Raine. The Immortality trials is a unique series set up that I am really digging. This is a line from the summary "Join Lyssa as she takes on the deadly Trials alongside giants, centaurs, satyrs and gods in the first three of twelve episodes of this Greek mythology fantasy retelling." Umm, yes please! Sign me up right away! It is a young adult mythology fantasy split up into twelve trials. Each of the books in the series will feature 3 of the 12 trials. Skies of Olympus features the trials of Hera, Athena and Artemis. I love a bind up of shorter stories that are interconnected because once you get going, you just fly through the pages.
I will admit that this story had a bit of a slow and a tad confusing start for me. Here we meet Lyssa, our main character, and the daughter of a cruel Hercules. Lyssa is the captain of her own smuggling ship, where she smuggles goods between the realms of the 12 gods. I am all about a good quest or trials book and that is exactly what Eliza Raine delivers. I loved the first three trials and I am already hungry for more. If you are like me and you are kind of confused at the start of the story, just stick with it. After a little while, everything clicks and the story takes off from there.
One of my favorite things about stories centered around Greek mythology are all of the interesting characters, which was a highlight in Skies of Olympus for me as well. Lyssa is a great main character, and I think we still have many things to learn about her. But what is even better is that throughout the trials, we get to meet new characters. The side.secondary characters are just as much fun as Lyssa. After I read the second book, I will do a character roundup for some of my favorite secondary characters.
Overall, if you are a fan of mythology books, the Immorality Trials is a series you are going to want to check out. Skies of Olympus was a good start to a series that I think will become a very addictive and fun read. I can't wait for the next three trials.
This review was originally posted on Book Briefs
**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: https://bookbriefs.net**
Rules We're Meant to Break is young adult contemporary romance by Natalie Williamson. This might sound kind of weird, but I was immediately drawn into this book because of it's cover. It is not a traditionally beautiful young adult cover, but it made me think that I would relate to the main character, Amber. I loved how neat and orderly everything was. That plus the reference to rules, and I knew this was going to be a really cute read that would make me smile. And it totally was. Rules We're Meant to Break is an adorable romance full of heart.
You might think Amber, who is our main character, has these rules set out for herself, but no. Initially, these rules were put in place for Amber to survive her mother's long string of boyfriends. I loved Amber's love of dogs, and animals in general. I really, really loved Buffy her dog, and Amber's obsession with the show Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but sadly, I didn't connect with Amber the way that I was initially hoping to. She was ok, but I was really wishing that I would have seen a bit more character growth from her overall. She is nice enough, but sometimes had a tendency to be seen as a petulant child rather than the young adult that she was becoming. But what I did love about Rule We're Meant to Break was the dynamic between all of the characters in this book. Hannah and Jordan, and even Kevin (mom's latest boyfriend) were excellent additions to cast of characters.
Overall, Rules We're Meant to Break is a cute read with some nice modern family dynamics, and a cute romance. Though Amber seemed a bit immature at times, she was a character that I still found pretty easy to root for. I wanted her to succeed and I wanted to see her, and her mom, happy. If you are a fan of strong modern or single parent familial themes and a cute young adult romance, Rules We're Meant to Break might be a winner for you. I thought it was a cute read.
This review was originally posted on Book Briefs
Rules We're Meant to Break is young adult contemporary romance by Natalie Williamson. This might sound kind of weird, but I was immediately drawn into this book because of it's cover. It is not a traditionally beautiful young adult cover, but it made me think that I would relate to the main character, Amber. I loved how neat and orderly everything was. That plus the reference to rules, and I knew this was going to be a really cute read that would make me smile. And it totally was. Rules We're Meant to Break is an adorable romance full of heart.
You might think Amber, who is our main character, has these rules set out for herself, but no. Initially, these rules were put in place for Amber to survive her mother's long string of boyfriends. I loved Amber's love of dogs, and animals in general. I really, really loved Buffy her dog, and Amber's obsession with the show Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but sadly, I didn't connect with Amber the way that I was initially hoping to. She was ok, but I was really wishing that I would have seen a bit more character growth from her overall. She is nice enough, but sometimes had a tendency to be seen as a petulant child rather than the young adult that she was becoming. But what I did love about Rule We're Meant to Break was the dynamic between all of the characters in this book. Hannah and Jordan, and even Kevin (mom's latest boyfriend) were excellent additions to cast of characters.
Overall, Rules We're Meant to Break is a cute read with some nice modern family dynamics, and a cute romance. Though Amber seemed a bit immature at times, she was a character that I still found pretty easy to root for. I wanted her to succeed and I wanted to see her, and her mom, happy. If you are a fan of strong modern or single parent familial themes and a cute young adult romance, Rules We're Meant to Break might be a winner for you. I thought it was a cute read.
This review was originally posted on Book Briefs
**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: https://bookbriefs.net**
The Thirteenth Guardian is the first book in the young adult trilogy by the same name by author K.M. Lewis. The Thirteenth Guardian is like the DaVinci Code mashed with a re occurrence of the plagues of Egypt. It is a whirlwind adventure from start to finish. I really got swept up in this book, and though there was a bit much going on at times, it was a really well done novel, and it has left me excited to continue on in the trilogy. I really need to see what is going to happen next! Be warned though, this series is about the apocalypse. There are a series of natural disasters that threaten to destroy earth, so be forewarned about that going into the series.
In The Thirteenth Guardian, we meet a group of six strangers that find themselves inexplicably bound together. The first of the strangers that we meet is Avery, but the book is told from all of their perspectives, switching off between chapters with each of our 6 perspectives. I love reading a book told in multiple perspectives, and though six might seem like too much, K.M. Lewis made it work. It's hard for me to pick a favorite character so far. I think I will be able to pick one after I read the second book, but so far I really like the whole cast of characters. There is a bit of mary Sue (and whatever the male equivalent is to a too perfect character) but I think as the books progress, we will really do a deep dive into what makes the characters who they are. Them being so perfect didn't really bother me while I was reading, partly because there were so many other things going on in the plot for me to focus on.
This book had some many elements that I love. There is a quest style adventure, full of secrets, secret societies and history. This is a book right up my alley and I have to say K.M. Lewis really delivered. The writing is fantastic and the plot is really intricate and interesting. At times the story may feel overwhelming because of the sheer amount going on, but just stick with it, because it all comes together, and it leaves you wanting the next book immediately. If you are a fan of secret societies throughout history and you love the adventure style of the Robert Langdon books, then the Thirteenth Guardian trilogy is going to be right up your alley. I really enjoyed this book. I can't wait for the next one in the trilogy!
This review was originally posted on Book Briefs
The Thirteenth Guardian is the first book in the young adult trilogy by the same name by author K.M. Lewis. The Thirteenth Guardian is like the DaVinci Code mashed with a re occurrence of the plagues of Egypt. It is a whirlwind adventure from start to finish. I really got swept up in this book, and though there was a bit much going on at times, it was a really well done novel, and it has left me excited to continue on in the trilogy. I really need to see what is going to happen next! Be warned though, this series is about the apocalypse. There are a series of natural disasters that threaten to destroy earth, so be forewarned about that going into the series.
In The Thirteenth Guardian, we meet a group of six strangers that find themselves inexplicably bound together. The first of the strangers that we meet is Avery, but the book is told from all of their perspectives, switching off between chapters with each of our 6 perspectives. I love reading a book told in multiple perspectives, and though six might seem like too much, K.M. Lewis made it work. It's hard for me to pick a favorite character so far. I think I will be able to pick one after I read the second book, but so far I really like the whole cast of characters. There is a bit of mary Sue (and whatever the male equivalent is to a too perfect character) but I think as the books progress, we will really do a deep dive into what makes the characters who they are. Them being so perfect didn't really bother me while I was reading, partly because there were so many other things going on in the plot for me to focus on.
This book had some many elements that I love. There is a quest style adventure, full of secrets, secret societies and history. This is a book right up my alley and I have to say K.M. Lewis really delivered. The writing is fantastic and the plot is really intricate and interesting. At times the story may feel overwhelming because of the sheer amount going on, but just stick with it, because it all comes together, and it leaves you wanting the next book immediately. If you are a fan of secret societies throughout history and you love the adventure style of the Robert Langdon books, then the Thirteenth Guardian trilogy is going to be right up your alley. I really enjoyed this book. I can't wait for the next one in the trilogy!
This review was originally posted on Book Briefs
3.5/5
good first book to the series. More action than I was thinking and some of the character development felt a little forced. I am interested in seeing how the characters develop their bond in the next book. Has a lot of potential so far.
good first book to the series. More action than I was thinking and some of the character development felt a little forced. I am interested in seeing how the characters develop their bond in the next book. Has a lot of potential so far.
An excellent compilation of stories and lessons for women lawyers at all stages of their practice. Great book and wonderful contributions from all women involved.
The Shortest Distance Between Love & Hate was an ok read. It is a young adult contemporary romance standalone by Sandy Hall. I wanted to love this book so much. It has so many elements that are big winners to me. I love a hate to love dynamic. In fact, it is one of my favorite. And I did really enjoy some aspects of this story, but there were also some character issues that detracted from my enjoyment. Do let me break down what I liked and what I didn't like as much.
Let's start with what I liked:
First, I love a enemies to love trope. I find the banter, the pranks, the revenge all a lot of fun to read about. And there were plenty of pranks, and revenge present in this story. It was a fun read, and the overall romance progression was nice. It was so clear that Paisley and Carter are well suited. They both so clearly like each other, that Paisley had to actively remind herself to hate Carter. A bunch.
Second, I loved the complexities of Carter. He is seriously going through some stuff. He was my favorite character in the book, by a long shot. Yes he has anger issues and yes he has self worth issues, but he was complex and real and so darn likeable that I was almost 100% of the time on team Carter.
And finally, this book ended on a cute note. Overall it is cute romance that I enjoyed. The middle just didn't blow my socks off. The ending made up for some of that though.
And now for what I didn't love:
First, Paisley irritated me. I wanted to like her. I was on board with her at first. She is a college freshman, who is looking forward to all of the new experiences that college will bring. And at her very first party, she meets Carter, who she thinks is someone else. In reality, he is the person that bullied her best friend in middle school. Once she finds out, her crush on him is canceled and instead she starts her revenge plan on behalf of her best friend. Paisley seemed so darn immature, I really couldn't stand her. She redeemed herself a bit by the end, but man she bugged me.
Here's the thing, Carter was a jerk in middle school. I believe that to be true, but even Paisley's best friend told her to cut him some slack and get over it. He was not holding a grudge, so I don't know why Paisley needed to be holding a grudge. Plus, Carter apologized and seems to be a legitimately good guy now. Not to mention the fact that he was 12-13 when he was a jerk and Paisley is 18-19 when she was a jerk. She is in college, she should know better than Carter's 12 year old self. Not ok. (and no Carter is not perfect either. In fact, there were times that he bothered me too, but it was on a different level than Paisley's irritation.)
Second, which kind of ties in to the first reason, I just found the whole revenge plot to be immature, on everyone's part. It got to be a bit much by the middle of the book, but luckily I kept reading and the book did get better by the end.
Like I said above, I did like this story. I just didn't love it the way I was hoping I would. If you are a looking for a fun read that turns out to be a cute romance, and you don't mind a bit of immature revenge, then The Shortest Distance Between Love & Hate might be a cute book you will really enjoy.
Let's start with what I liked:
First, I love a enemies to love trope. I find the banter, the pranks, the revenge all a lot of fun to read about. And there were plenty of pranks, and revenge present in this story. It was a fun read, and the overall romance progression was nice. It was so clear that Paisley and Carter are well suited. They both so clearly like each other, that Paisley had to actively remind herself to hate Carter. A bunch.
Second, I loved the complexities of Carter. He is seriously going through some stuff. He was my favorite character in the book, by a long shot. Yes he has anger issues and yes he has self worth issues, but he was complex and real and so darn likeable that I was almost 100% of the time on team Carter.
And finally, this book ended on a cute note. Overall it is cute romance that I enjoyed. The middle just didn't blow my socks off. The ending made up for some of that though.
And now for what I didn't love:
First, Paisley irritated me. I wanted to like her. I was on board with her at first. She is a college freshman, who is looking forward to all of the new experiences that college will bring. And at her very first party, she meets Carter, who she thinks is someone else. In reality, he is the person that bullied her best friend in middle school. Once she finds out, her crush on him is canceled and instead she starts her revenge plan on behalf of her best friend. Paisley seemed so darn immature, I really couldn't stand her. She redeemed herself a bit by the end, but man she bugged me.
Here's the thing, Carter was a jerk in middle school. I believe that to be true, but even Paisley's best friend told her to cut him some slack and get over it. He was not holding a grudge, so I don't know why Paisley needed to be holding a grudge. Plus, Carter apologized and seems to be a legitimately good guy now. Not to mention the fact that he was 12-13 when he was a jerk and Paisley is 18-19 when she was a jerk. She is in college, she should know better than Carter's 12 year old self. Not ok. (and no Carter is not perfect either. In fact, there were times that he bothered me too, but it was on a different level than Paisley's irritation.)
Second, which kind of ties in to the first reason, I just found the whole revenge plot to be immature, on everyone's part. It got to be a bit much by the middle of the book, but luckily I kept reading and the book did get better by the end.
Like I said above, I did like this story. I just didn't love it the way I was hoping I would. If you are a looking for a fun read that turns out to be a cute romance, and you don't mind a bit of immature revenge, then The Shortest Distance Between Love & Hate might be a cute book you will really enjoy.
