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★★★★☆/★★★★★
Book Review: The Twisted Tree by Rachel Burge
The Twisted Tree was a dark and interesting read for me. The setting for the story is the small island of Skjebne, a place where Martha has many lovely memories of summers spent on the island with her grandmother and mother, she soon discovers the island is a much stranger place in the middle of winter, where Norway sees less than 4 hours of proper sunlight a day.
Marta was an engaging protagonist and I enjoying reading about her story. Her relationships with both her mother and Mormar (which translates to mothers mother), and also how she dealt with the introduction of Stig were interesting to read. I really liked reading about the Norse mythology aspect of the story and how it was woven through. Martha's 'power' was a clever addition and not one I've read about before. I loved how the story culminated and was happy with the conclusion.
If you're looking for a short, slightly sinister and interesting read, then I would definitely recommend The Twisted Tree - perfect for fans of Coraline.
Book Review: The Twisted Tree by Rachel Burge
The Twisted Tree was a dark and interesting read for me. The setting for the story is the small island of Skjebne, a place where Martha has many lovely memories of summers spent on the island with her grandmother and mother, she soon discovers the island is a much stranger place in the middle of winter, where Norway sees less than 4 hours of proper sunlight a day.
Marta was an engaging protagonist and I enjoying reading about her story. Her relationships with both her mother and Mormar (which translates to mothers mother), and also how she dealt with the introduction of Stig were interesting to read. I really liked reading about the Norse mythology aspect of the story and how it was woven through. Martha's 'power' was a clever addition and not one I've read about before. I loved how the story culminated and was happy with the conclusion.
If you're looking for a short, slightly sinister and interesting read, then I would definitely recommend The Twisted Tree - perfect for fans of Coraline.
★★★★★/★★★★★
Book Review: Vital Found: The Evelyn Maynard Trilogy - Part Two by Kaydence Snow
Bradford Hills feels more like home than any other place Evelyn Maynard and her mother lived while on the run. But with everyone reeling from the violent clash between Variants and humans, her new home doesn’t feel safe any more and navigating four increasingly complicated supernatural bonds in secret doesn’t help. Ethan and Josh can’t keep their hands off her. Tyler is supportive, but continues to keep her at arm’s length. Alec has both saved and destroyed her yet seems oblivious to the turmoil he’s caused.
Following on a few months after the events of Variant Lost, Vital Found is one hell of a ride. Now spending more time with her bondmates and working on honing (some of) their abilities, Eve is trying to put the last few horrible months behind her. Her best friend Dot's brother and vital is still missing along with several dozen other vitals so it's imperative to keep Eve's vital status secret lest she be discovered.
The back and forth between the bond plus Eve's friendships were really well written, and I loved the addition of several new characters. The expanded world building revealed a much wider scope for the storys setting which stated my thirst for knowledge.
Betrayal, angst and a whole lot of sexual tension makes this book just as thrilling as he first one, if not more so and I cannot wait for the third in book in the trilogy 🙌
Book Review: Vital Found: The Evelyn Maynard Trilogy - Part Two by Kaydence Snow
Bradford Hills feels more like home than any other place Evelyn Maynard and her mother lived while on the run. But with everyone reeling from the violent clash between Variants and humans, her new home doesn’t feel safe any more and navigating four increasingly complicated supernatural bonds in secret doesn’t help. Ethan and Josh can’t keep their hands off her. Tyler is supportive, but continues to keep her at arm’s length. Alec has both saved and destroyed her yet seems oblivious to the turmoil he’s caused.
Following on a few months after the events of Variant Lost, Vital Found is one hell of a ride. Now spending more time with her bondmates and working on honing (some of) their abilities, Eve is trying to put the last few horrible months behind her. Her best friend Dot's brother and vital is still missing along with several dozen other vitals so it's imperative to keep Eve's vital status secret lest she be discovered.
The back and forth between the bond plus Eve's friendships were really well written, and I loved the addition of several new characters. The expanded world building revealed a much wider scope for the storys setting which stated my thirst for knowledge.
Betrayal, angst and a whole lot of sexual tension makes this book just as thrilling as he first one, if not more so and I cannot wait for the third in book in the trilogy 🙌
A Good Night for Shooting Zombies drew me in straight away with the cover which is really cute and fun. The actual story wasn't quite what I was expecting but I did enjoy it overall. It is a cute contemporary novel, aimed at the 9-12yr old / middle grade bracket, and short enough that I finished it in two fairly short sessions. It's definitely one that I'll be offering up to my children to read as I think that they would enjoy it too.
The protagonist, 'Clucky', was a fun narrator and I enjoyed reading about how he saw life; his eventual friendships with Vusi and Chris, their movie making and what I saw as the actual end plot to the story which I didn't see coming.
Thank you to Oneworld Publications for granting me a copy via NetGalley.
The protagonist, 'Clucky', was a fun narrator and I enjoyed reading about how he saw life; his eventual friendships with Vusi and Chris, their movie making and what I saw as the actual end plot to the story which I didn't see coming.
Thank you to Oneworld Publications for granting me a copy via NetGalley.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury UK for giving me a chance to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this YA fantasy Beauty and The Beast re-telling. The synopsis sounded right up my street and I was really excited to get into it.
The story centers on Prince Rhen of Emberfall and Harper who is from our world. An unfortunate encounter between Harper and Rhen’s one and only remaining guard, Grey, leaves Harper reeling and most definitely not in DC anymore.
It’s made very clear from the start that this is Rhen’s last ‘season’ of which there have been hundreds, though time outside of his castles estate is passing much slower than within. I felt like the story was almost made to seem stagnant at the start to reflect on Rhen’s state of mind, he almost goes through the motions of his life, so when Grey appears with a very angry Harper, brandishing an iron bar, I think they both realised pretty sharpish that maybe this season wasn’t going to go quite to plan.
I really liked the addition of Freya and Jamison into Ironrose Castle; they added a bit more to the story, as well as Zo. It was really nice to see how both Rhen and Harper reacted around other people; especially with Harper the driving force behind most of Ironrose’s new residents. Rhen and Grey’s relationship is also really well written, and you could tell how fiercely loyal a person Grey is.
The story wove together very well and I actually couldn’t put it down when I hit the final 40%, which I read in one go. Really well done – and that epilogue, wow, I can’t wait to read more from this universe and find out all the information after the epilogue!
Age Range
I’d say that this book is marketed at the YA category; so would suit ages 13+
Finally – Would I Recommend It?
Yes definitely – I love a good retelling and this is definitely up there as a favourite. I can’t wait a whole year for the sequel, it’s too long! A Heart So Fierce and Broken, which is set for release in January 2020. Also, the paperback is to die for, so pretty!
4/5 ✰
I loved this YA fantasy Beauty and The Beast re-telling. The synopsis sounded right up my street and I was really excited to get into it.
The story centers on Prince Rhen of Emberfall and Harper who is from our world. An unfortunate encounter between Harper and Rhen’s one and only remaining guard, Grey, leaves Harper reeling and most definitely not in DC anymore.
It’s made very clear from the start that this is Rhen’s last ‘season’ of which there have been hundreds, though time outside of his castles estate is passing much slower than within. I felt like the story was almost made to seem stagnant at the start to reflect on Rhen’s state of mind, he almost goes through the motions of his life, so when Grey appears with a very angry Harper, brandishing an iron bar, I think they both realised pretty sharpish that maybe this season wasn’t going to go quite to plan.
I really liked the addition of Freya and Jamison into Ironrose Castle; they added a bit more to the story, as well as Zo. It was really nice to see how both Rhen and Harper reacted around other people; especially with Harper the driving force behind most of Ironrose’s new residents. Rhen and Grey’s relationship is also really well written, and you could tell how fiercely loyal a person Grey is.
The story wove together very well and I actually couldn’t put it down when I hit the final 40%, which I read in one go. Really well done – and that epilogue, wow, I can’t wait to read more from this universe and find out all the information after the epilogue!
Age Range
I’d say that this book is marketed at the YA category; so would suit ages 13+
Finally – Would I Recommend It?
Yes definitely – I love a good retelling and this is definitely up there as a favourite. I can’t wait a whole year for the sequel, it’s too long! A Heart So Fierce and Broken, which is set for release in January 2020. Also, the paperback is to die for, so pretty!
4/5 ✰
Thank you to Rachel Schurig for a free copy of this book for review.
I'll start off by saying that in general, contemporary romances are not my jam.
What I liked about Lance: An Intrigue Novel -
▪ I liked the dual povs; Lance and Willa's povs complimented each other
▪ It's a standalone - yes, a second Intrigue novel is being released this coming week, but I definitely felt that 'Lance' could be read as a standalone and that his and Willa's story was over
▪ Simon and Willa's, and later Simon/Willa/Lance's relationship was sweet
What I didn't like:
▪ It's very on genre - this isn't necessarily a bad thing, just not something I enjoy. I like a little bit of surprise when I'm reading and overall found Lance to be a predictable read.
▪ It was a bit clunky - the story didn't flow at times for me
▪ The side characters, namely the Ransome band members - I was so confused! There are so many of them and I haven't read their series so I was a bit 😳 when they appeared
Overall a good, quick contemporary romance and I am planning to read the next in the series.
I'll start off by saying that in general, contemporary romances are not my jam.
What I liked about Lance: An Intrigue Novel -
▪ I liked the dual povs; Lance and Willa's povs complimented each other
▪ It's a standalone - yes, a second Intrigue novel is being released this coming week, but I definitely felt that 'Lance' could be read as a standalone and that his and Willa's story was over
▪ Simon and Willa's, and later Simon/Willa/Lance's relationship was sweet
What I didn't like:
▪ It's very on genre - this isn't necessarily a bad thing, just not something I enjoy. I like a little bit of surprise when I'm reading and overall found Lance to be a predictable read.
▪ It was a bit clunky - the story didn't flow at times for me
▪ The side characters, namely the Ransome band members - I was so confused! There are so many of them and I haven't read their series so I was a bit 😳 when they appeared
Overall a good, quick contemporary romance and I am planning to read the next in the series.
Thank you to Rachel Schurig for a free copy of this book for review.
The sequel to Lance - An Intrigue Novel; I really enjoyed Layla. Layla is the drummer in Intrigue and she appeared in the first book as a side character, and one of Lance's closer friends in the band.
It was nice to see their relationship again in the second, as well as how Layla interacted with the rest of the band. Whilst the first book focused more on Lance, Willa and Simon's burgeoning relationship; generally away from the band, I enjoyed seeing the band aspect with Intrigue on the road. The stalker aspect and addiction of John, an ex Navy Seal come bodyguard was well done. You could tell that he took his job seriously.
▪ Again, I liked the dual povs; John and Layla's vulnerable inner selves were very well matched.
▪ It's a standalone - yes, there is a first novel in the Intrigue series, but I definitely felt that 'Layla' could be read as a standalone as you do get quite a bit of backstory on the band.
▪ I did guess fairly early on who the stalker was; but I always pat myself on the back for guessing.
Overall a good, quick contemporary romance and I will definitely read more of this series should Rachel continue to write them.
The sequel to Lance - An Intrigue Novel; I really enjoyed Layla. Layla is the drummer in Intrigue and she appeared in the first book as a side character, and one of Lance's closer friends in the band.
It was nice to see their relationship again in the second, as well as how Layla interacted with the rest of the band. Whilst the first book focused more on Lance, Willa and Simon's burgeoning relationship; generally away from the band, I enjoyed seeing the band aspect with Intrigue on the road. The stalker aspect and addiction of John, an ex Navy Seal come bodyguard was well done. You could tell that he took his job seriously.
▪ Again, I liked the dual povs; John and Layla's vulnerable inner selves were very well matched.
▪ It's a standalone - yes, there is a first novel in the Intrigue series, but I definitely felt that 'Layla' could be read as a standalone as you do get quite a bit of backstory on the band.
▪ I did guess fairly early on who the stalker was; but I always pat myself on the back for guessing.
Overall a good, quick contemporary romance and I will definitely read more of this series should Rachel continue to write them.
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Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.
Meet Jack King - consistently average at everything and hopelessly in love with his best friend, who is also the girlfriend of his other best friend. Jack meets Kate at a party where they become a dam for the staircase. Follow Jack to discover just what lengths he would be willing to go to to save Kate who is very ill.
I did enjoy this YA time travel / Groundhog Day type read with Jack being transported back to that first moment where he meets Kate on the stairs each time he fails. Interesting premise.
Meet Jack King - consistently average at everything and hopelessly in love with his best friend, who is also the girlfriend of his other best friend. Jack meets Kate at a party where they become a dam for the staircase. Follow Jack to discover just what lengths he would be willing to go to to save Kate who is very ill.
I did enjoy this YA time travel / Groundhog Day type read with Jack being transported back to that first moment where he meets Kate on the stairs each time he fails. Interesting premise.
