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popthebutterfly
Rating: 5/5
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Recommended Age: 12+ (very age appropriate, but sometimes the story is a little heavy at times).
I received a free copy of this book courtesy of KidLitExchange. All opinions are my own.
Twelve-year-old Chloe Ashton is an only child living in the remote wilderness of Oregon. She spends her days happily exploring the forests around her home, and is astonished to find the animals seem to know her, to follow her, and even try to speak to her. When a family tragedy results in Chloe's abduction and sale to the vagabonds, she is taken deeper into the woods, and finds out just how much the animals know.
Set at a time when technology is first touching the west, there is an evil rising in the land. The country is under attack, and all creatures, man and beast, must hide. The old legends speak of an ancient, natural magic deep within the mountains and rivers, and as Chloe struggles to survive, she finds that it still exists deep within the forests. Friendship can be found even in the darkest of places, and it doesn't always come in human form.
Bridge of the Gods is a novel for all ages about the magical power of nature, and of finding friendship in the darkest of places. - Amazon.com
When did we stop putting illustrations in books? When did we stop believing in things that live beyond the tree line of our yards? And when did we stop wishing for a big adventure into the unknown? These are some of the thoughts I had while reading this wonderful book! The first in its series, this book focuses on a young girl named Chloe who, in the wake of a tragedy and a kidnapping, finds things that she only thought existed in books. The book is absolutely extraordinary. The characters and creatures in this book come alive not only through the illustrations but through the vivid story telling the author excels at. The plot development is amazingly well done as well and the pacing is on-point. The book is basically an English teacher’s ideal book for teaching students how different devices can come together to make a beautiful story.
My only sole complaints of the book is that it ended on a cliffhanger and now I have to wait for the next book. I also felt that the way that humans were described in this book might make some people upset because the book is very focused on nature and the beauty of it. Humans in this book are the villains and because it’s a children’s book the adult characters are a bit unrealistic.
Verdict: A definite must read for any middle grader, anyone who wants to study English writing devices, or anyone who wants to enjoy a simply pure and beautiful tale about what lies in the woods. The book is also inspirational in how Chloe handles the issues that come into her life and is able to make friends wherever she is. Definitely a must read for any child and a recommended for any adult fantasy lover.
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Recommended Age: 12+ (very age appropriate, but sometimes the story is a little heavy at times).
I received a free copy of this book courtesy of KidLitExchange. All opinions are my own.
Twelve-year-old Chloe Ashton is an only child living in the remote wilderness of Oregon. She spends her days happily exploring the forests around her home, and is astonished to find the animals seem to know her, to follow her, and even try to speak to her. When a family tragedy results in Chloe's abduction and sale to the vagabonds, she is taken deeper into the woods, and finds out just how much the animals know.
Set at a time when technology is first touching the west, there is an evil rising in the land. The country is under attack, and all creatures, man and beast, must hide. The old legends speak of an ancient, natural magic deep within the mountains and rivers, and as Chloe struggles to survive, she finds that it still exists deep within the forests. Friendship can be found even in the darkest of places, and it doesn't always come in human form.
Bridge of the Gods is a novel for all ages about the magical power of nature, and of finding friendship in the darkest of places. - Amazon.com
When did we stop putting illustrations in books? When did we stop believing in things that live beyond the tree line of our yards? And when did we stop wishing for a big adventure into the unknown? These are some of the thoughts I had while reading this wonderful book! The first in its series, this book focuses on a young girl named Chloe who, in the wake of a tragedy and a kidnapping, finds things that she only thought existed in books. The book is absolutely extraordinary. The characters and creatures in this book come alive not only through the illustrations but through the vivid story telling the author excels at. The plot development is amazingly well done as well and the pacing is on-point. The book is basically an English teacher’s ideal book for teaching students how different devices can come together to make a beautiful story.
My only sole complaints of the book is that it ended on a cliffhanger and now I have to wait for the next book. I also felt that the way that humans were described in this book might make some people upset because the book is very focused on nature and the beauty of it. Humans in this book are the villains and because it’s a children’s book the adult characters are a bit unrealistic.
Verdict: A definite must read for any middle grader, anyone who wants to study English writing devices, or anyone who wants to enjoy a simply pure and beautiful tale about what lies in the woods. The book is also inspirational in how Chloe handles the issues that come into her life and is able to make friends wherever she is. Definitely a must read for any child and a recommended for any adult fantasy lover.
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Rating: 4/5
Genre: Adult Romance
Recommended Age: 18+ (language and explicit romance scenes)
I received a free copy of this book courtesy of the author. All opinions are my own.
Ellie Valencia is a broken shell of a woman after the guy she loves walks out on her without an explanation, a reason, or a goodbye.
Amidst her confusion and sorrow, she meets the very sexy, successful, and charming Jack Milian, who is every girl's dream.
There's just one major flaw: he's her ex's best friend...
Despite destiny's cruel game, Ellie is determined to find herself again and open her heart to love. But she must first leave all her fears behind…
It's a task that's proving hard to do when she doesn't know how far Jack is willing to fight for her against the innate obstacles that arise from falling for your best friend's ex.
The emotional turmoil and passionate romance that Jack and Ellie find themselves wrapped up in is The Thing About Love…
The Thing About Love… is a work of fiction inspired by true events of the author.
The Thing About Love... is available in Spanish as A Veces El Amor... - Amazon.com
Do you remember your first broken heart? I’m no stranger to love and broken hearts. For a time I thought I would only be destined to be broken hearted. I have dated and loved and lost many guys and I have been in a similar situation as the main character of this book. I was with a guy for 3 years when we broke up. It wasn’t my first broken heart but it hurt the worst because when you spend so much time with someone you become very lost without them, no matter if they were a complete d-bag or not. When you’ve become your own person again after being a unit for so long you tend to go through a period where you’re not sure who you are any longer. That being said the events that take place in this book are so very relatable and realistic. It makes you love the characters even more because of how honest this book is about breakups and heartache. Beyond that the characters felt well developed and were complex as well. This book is definitely one that will make you cry and swoon multiple times.
However, I did feel that the plot was a tad cliché (but I didn’t feel that it was cheesy or annoying) and I felt that the pacing suffered a little bit for the plot. However, it was not as cliché as most romance books are. I’m also not a fan of heavy romance scenes so I didn’t enjoy the more adult actions, but I did feel like the story benefitted from these moments between the two characters.
Verdict: If you’re a fan of romance and want something that a little different than your average Harlequin Romance book then I’d definitely check this book out! This is also an excellent book to read if you want to read about a realistic character who discovers herself and she’s also the type of character who you will be rooting for throughout the whole book.
Genre: Adult Romance
Recommended Age: 18+ (language and explicit romance scenes)
I received a free copy of this book courtesy of the author. All opinions are my own.
Ellie Valencia is a broken shell of a woman after the guy she loves walks out on her without an explanation, a reason, or a goodbye.
Amidst her confusion and sorrow, she meets the very sexy, successful, and charming Jack Milian, who is every girl's dream.
There's just one major flaw: he's her ex's best friend...
Despite destiny's cruel game, Ellie is determined to find herself again and open her heart to love. But she must first leave all her fears behind…
It's a task that's proving hard to do when she doesn't know how far Jack is willing to fight for her against the innate obstacles that arise from falling for your best friend's ex.
The emotional turmoil and passionate romance that Jack and Ellie find themselves wrapped up in is The Thing About Love…
The Thing About Love… is a work of fiction inspired by true events of the author.
The Thing About Love... is available in Spanish as A Veces El Amor... - Amazon.com
Do you remember your first broken heart? I’m no stranger to love and broken hearts. For a time I thought I would only be destined to be broken hearted. I have dated and loved and lost many guys and I have been in a similar situation as the main character of this book. I was with a guy for 3 years when we broke up. It wasn’t my first broken heart but it hurt the worst because when you spend so much time with someone you become very lost without them, no matter if they were a complete d-bag or not. When you’ve become your own person again after being a unit for so long you tend to go through a period where you’re not sure who you are any longer. That being said the events that take place in this book are so very relatable and realistic. It makes you love the characters even more because of how honest this book is about breakups and heartache. Beyond that the characters felt well developed and were complex as well. This book is definitely one that will make you cry and swoon multiple times.
However, I did feel that the plot was a tad cliché (but I didn’t feel that it was cheesy or annoying) and I felt that the pacing suffered a little bit for the plot. However, it was not as cliché as most romance books are. I’m also not a fan of heavy romance scenes so I didn’t enjoy the more adult actions, but I did feel like the story benefitted from these moments between the two characters.
Verdict: If you’re a fan of romance and want something that a little different than your average Harlequin Romance book then I’d definitely check this book out! This is also an excellent book to read if you want to read about a realistic character who discovers herself and she’s also the type of character who you will be rooting for throughout the whole book.
Rating: 1.5/5
Genre: Thriller (more about this in the review)
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, witchcraft, stalking, murder)
I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
When a beloved high schooler named Lucinda Hayes is found murdered, no one in her sleepy Colorado suburb is untouched—not the boy who loved her too much; not the girl who wanted her perfect life; not the officer assigned to investigate her murder. In the aftermath of the tragedy, these three indelible characters—Cameron, Jade, and Russ—must each confront their darkest secrets in an effort to find solace, the truth, or both. In crystalline prose, Danya Kukafka offers a brilliant exploration of identity and of the razor-sharp line between love and obsession, between watching and seeing, between truth and memory.
Compulsively readable and powerfully moving, Girl in Snow offers an unforgettable reading experience and introduces a singular new talent in Danya Kukafka.
In the wake of Murder on the Orient Express becoming a movie, I had an itching for some thrillers. One I’ve had on my to-read list was this book. The synopsis sounded good and so I decided to give it a try. In the end I had to DNF this book. The good points about this book is that it’s not a typical thriller and it has more of a YA feel to it. The book focuses on the suspects rather than the crime. The book was interesting in that it left the reader in suspense on who the actual perpetrator was. However, those were the only things I thought were good about the book.
I had a hard time reading this book because of how drawn-out the writing was. The author constantly went off on tangents and the author seems to have the Stephen King syndrome of writing in which an author will write for awhile on a topic in the book that has no point to the plot whatsoever. It became very hard to wade through all of the detail to get to the meat of the story and it was the main reason I DNF’d the book. Because of how the book was written, the plot and pacing heavily suffered from the writing. The plot was lost in the words and the pacing drew to a standstill at several times in the book. The characters in the book were also not very well developed at the point I stopped reading and they were very weird choices for main characters (2 of them being high schoolers) considering that this book was supposed to be an adult thriller. The victim is not a character I found myself to care about and the professionals in this book seemed to be way too dumb to be realistic. The book really shouldn’t have been marketed as a thriller because you spend more time on the suspects and not on the crime. This book also switches between multiple POVs.
Verdict: Overall, I found this book to not be my cup of tea. It was the opposite of everything I hoped for and skimming the back it seems like the ending and the killer is a cliché type character. I think this book could have been rewrote in so many different ways and it really could have been better if it focused on the crime rather than the daily lives of the suspects. Give this book a try if you want to read something different than your usual thriller.
Genre: Thriller (more about this in the review)
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, witchcraft, stalking, murder)
I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
When a beloved high schooler named Lucinda Hayes is found murdered, no one in her sleepy Colorado suburb is untouched—not the boy who loved her too much; not the girl who wanted her perfect life; not the officer assigned to investigate her murder. In the aftermath of the tragedy, these three indelible characters—Cameron, Jade, and Russ—must each confront their darkest secrets in an effort to find solace, the truth, or both. In crystalline prose, Danya Kukafka offers a brilliant exploration of identity and of the razor-sharp line between love and obsession, between watching and seeing, between truth and memory.
Compulsively readable and powerfully moving, Girl in Snow offers an unforgettable reading experience and introduces a singular new talent in Danya Kukafka.
In the wake of Murder on the Orient Express becoming a movie, I had an itching for some thrillers. One I’ve had on my to-read list was this book. The synopsis sounded good and so I decided to give it a try. In the end I had to DNF this book. The good points about this book is that it’s not a typical thriller and it has more of a YA feel to it. The book focuses on the suspects rather than the crime. The book was interesting in that it left the reader in suspense on who the actual perpetrator was. However, those were the only things I thought were good about the book.
I had a hard time reading this book because of how drawn-out the writing was. The author constantly went off on tangents and the author seems to have the Stephen King syndrome of writing in which an author will write for awhile on a topic in the book that has no point to the plot whatsoever. It became very hard to wade through all of the detail to get to the meat of the story and it was the main reason I DNF’d the book. Because of how the book was written, the plot and pacing heavily suffered from the writing. The plot was lost in the words and the pacing drew to a standstill at several times in the book. The characters in the book were also not very well developed at the point I stopped reading and they were very weird choices for main characters (2 of them being high schoolers) considering that this book was supposed to be an adult thriller. The victim is not a character I found myself to care about and the professionals in this book seemed to be way too dumb to be realistic. The book really shouldn’t have been marketed as a thriller because you spend more time on the suspects and not on the crime. This book also switches between multiple POVs.
Verdict: Overall, I found this book to not be my cup of tea. It was the opposite of everything I hoped for and skimming the back it seems like the ending and the killer is a cliché type character. I think this book could have been rewrote in so many different ways and it really could have been better if it focused on the crime rather than the daily lives of the suspects. Give this book a try if you want to read something different than your usual thriller.
Rating: 3/5
Genre: Sci-Fi
Recommended Age: 16+ (complex sci-fi themes, language, violence, discussion of heavy topics)
I received a free copy of this book courtesy of the author. All opinions are my own.
The future isn’t what it used to be for Tony Calanis Palermo. He’s a man with a past. It has been a long fall from a member of the most clandestine branch of Lunar Intelligence to a mere able spaceman first class aboard a merchant starship. But after his latest misadventure, it will be an even longer fall to working out a long term indenture on a backwater sugar plantation. In fact, it would be a death sentence. Except that he’s just been offered a single chance at freedom: If he uses his skills to obtain the language key of the mysterious, and dead, alien Galactic race before anyone else can get it. That anyone else may include, but may not strictly be limited to, interplanetary policorps, super soldiers, genetically modified assassins, heavily armed colonial revolutionaries, and the combined military might of the Union of Man. Enough trouble for anyone’s plate, perhaps. But once on the ground, Tony discovers the still functioning personality daemon of a quasi-religious mutant criminal megalomaniac that had once tried to start World War Four just before Tony . . . killed her. Turns out, that’s a problem. Only he also decides to rescue an indentured savant slave girl and her dying pet Angel. Has he finally bitten off more than he can chew? But the real question is: Can he stay alive long enough to succeed? - Amazon.com
Do you ever think that there should be a high science fiction genre kind of like there is for fantasy? I think this book would definitely qualify as a high science fiction novel because it has so many complex science fiction themes in it. Much more than a newbie like me could handle. I had to unfortunately DNF this book because I became very confused in the world, but I did like some things about this novel. I thought the writing was very well done. The characters are well developed as well. You can tell the author has a talent for writing and can craft an amazing story. I also thought the plot was very intriguing and interesting. For the book being as detailed as it was, the book didn’t suffer from pacing problems. The book was really good.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t get into the book. I consider myself a novice sci-fi reader and I just couldn’t grasp the book at all. It wasn’t that the book was boring, but I did feel that it was a bit complex. The book discusses a lot of heavy subjects such as over population and it kind of glosses over a lot of them. The book also throws a lot of things at the main character and he unrealistically solves the majority of them. While I did feel the characters were well developed, I did think they were unrealistic at times. I also felt that while the plot was too complex for my liking.
Verdict: Overall, this was a good book but because there were so many things happening in the book (that could easily fill 3-4 books on its own and probably should be separated into other books) I had to DNF the book. I’m going to blame my failure on my new emergence into the sci-fi genre. If you enjoy sci-fi then you’ll more than likely love this book! If you’re not a big sci-fi reader then you might not enjoy it as much. However, I encourage you to give the book a try regardless.
Genre: Sci-Fi
Recommended Age: 16+ (complex sci-fi themes, language, violence, discussion of heavy topics)
I received a free copy of this book courtesy of the author. All opinions are my own.
The future isn’t what it used to be for Tony Calanis Palermo. He’s a man with a past. It has been a long fall from a member of the most clandestine branch of Lunar Intelligence to a mere able spaceman first class aboard a merchant starship. But after his latest misadventure, it will be an even longer fall to working out a long term indenture on a backwater sugar plantation. In fact, it would be a death sentence. Except that he’s just been offered a single chance at freedom: If he uses his skills to obtain the language key of the mysterious, and dead, alien Galactic race before anyone else can get it. That anyone else may include, but may not strictly be limited to, interplanetary policorps, super soldiers, genetically modified assassins, heavily armed colonial revolutionaries, and the combined military might of the Union of Man. Enough trouble for anyone’s plate, perhaps. But once on the ground, Tony discovers the still functioning personality daemon of a quasi-religious mutant criminal megalomaniac that had once tried to start World War Four just before Tony . . . killed her. Turns out, that’s a problem. Only he also decides to rescue an indentured savant slave girl and her dying pet Angel. Has he finally bitten off more than he can chew? But the real question is: Can he stay alive long enough to succeed? - Amazon.com
Do you ever think that there should be a high science fiction genre kind of like there is for fantasy? I think this book would definitely qualify as a high science fiction novel because it has so many complex science fiction themes in it. Much more than a newbie like me could handle. I had to unfortunately DNF this book because I became very confused in the world, but I did like some things about this novel. I thought the writing was very well done. The characters are well developed as well. You can tell the author has a talent for writing and can craft an amazing story. I also thought the plot was very intriguing and interesting. For the book being as detailed as it was, the book didn’t suffer from pacing problems. The book was really good.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t get into the book. I consider myself a novice sci-fi reader and I just couldn’t grasp the book at all. It wasn’t that the book was boring, but I did feel that it was a bit complex. The book discusses a lot of heavy subjects such as over population and it kind of glosses over a lot of them. The book also throws a lot of things at the main character and he unrealistically solves the majority of them. While I did feel the characters were well developed, I did think they were unrealistic at times. I also felt that while the plot was too complex for my liking.
Verdict: Overall, this was a good book but because there were so many things happening in the book (that could easily fill 3-4 books on its own and probably should be separated into other books) I had to DNF the book. I’m going to blame my failure on my new emergence into the sci-fi genre. If you enjoy sci-fi then you’ll more than likely love this book! If you’re not a big sci-fi reader then you might not enjoy it as much. However, I encourage you to give the book a try regardless.
Rating: 4/5
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 13+ (slight sexual conduct, mer-swearing, and some light violence)
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
A red tide is rising.
As the daughter of one of the mer-king’s trusted advisors, seventeen-year-old Jade has great responsibilities. When her fiancé murders a naiad, plunging the underwater city of Thessalonike into uproar, tensions surge between the mer and the naiads. Jade learns too late that the choices she makes ripple further than she'd ever imagined. And as she fights against the tide of anger in a city that lives for scandal, she discovers danger lurking in every canal, imperiling her family and shattering the ocean's fragile peace.
Can the city's divisions be mended before the upwelling of hate rips apart everything Jade loves? - Amazon.com
Under the sea! Under the sea! Seriously, why can’t I read a book with mermaids in it without thinking about The Little Mermaid? So I went into this book thinking it was going to be a light hearted mermaid book, but I was so wrong. This book is probably on par with Undertow by Michael Buckley. It uses mer people to discuss heavy topics such as racism and prejudice. It also discusses slavery and it shows people that the choices they make effect everyone around them, not just themselves. Honestly, this and Undertow together would make a perfect combination for teaching young readers about how harmful their words and actions and their prejudices can be to others. That being said, this book is way more political than some people like in their books but it really fits in well and doesn’t detract from the story at all. The plot was developed amazingly well and the pacing was phenomenal. The writing is also very well done and funny! The writer commonly inserts phrases like “whale in the room” for “elephant in the room” and it really makes the world building complete.
However, I did feel like the characters fell flat and weren’t developed properly. I felt that there could have been many places where the characters had room to grow or their background to be expanded upon, but it just didn’t happen. I also felt that the book gave room for a sequel, but one hasn’t been spoken of yet. I think the world building could definitely continue into a second book and the story could continue.
Verdict: If you like mermaid tales/political thrillers/books that look at social dilemmas then this book is for you! It’s an amazingly well written look at racism and prejudice through the lens of mermaids and it could teach others about what effect their words and actions have on others.
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 13+ (slight sexual conduct, mer-swearing, and some light violence)
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
A red tide is rising.
As the daughter of one of the mer-king’s trusted advisors, seventeen-year-old Jade has great responsibilities. When her fiancé murders a naiad, plunging the underwater city of Thessalonike into uproar, tensions surge between the mer and the naiads. Jade learns too late that the choices she makes ripple further than she'd ever imagined. And as she fights against the tide of anger in a city that lives for scandal, she discovers danger lurking in every canal, imperiling her family and shattering the ocean's fragile peace.
Can the city's divisions be mended before the upwelling of hate rips apart everything Jade loves? - Amazon.com
Under the sea! Under the sea! Seriously, why can’t I read a book with mermaids in it without thinking about The Little Mermaid? So I went into this book thinking it was going to be a light hearted mermaid book, but I was so wrong. This book is probably on par with Undertow by Michael Buckley. It uses mer people to discuss heavy topics such as racism and prejudice. It also discusses slavery and it shows people that the choices they make effect everyone around them, not just themselves. Honestly, this and Undertow together would make a perfect combination for teaching young readers about how harmful their words and actions and their prejudices can be to others. That being said, this book is way more political than some people like in their books but it really fits in well and doesn’t detract from the story at all. The plot was developed amazingly well and the pacing was phenomenal. The writing is also very well done and funny! The writer commonly inserts phrases like “whale in the room” for “elephant in the room” and it really makes the world building complete.
However, I did feel like the characters fell flat and weren’t developed properly. I felt that there could have been many places where the characters had room to grow or their background to be expanded upon, but it just didn’t happen. I also felt that the book gave room for a sequel, but one hasn’t been spoken of yet. I think the world building could definitely continue into a second book and the story could continue.
Verdict: If you like mermaid tales/political thrillers/books that look at social dilemmas then this book is for you! It’s an amazingly well written look at racism and prejudice through the lens of mermaids and it could teach others about what effect their words and actions have on others.
Rating: 3/5
Genre: Young Adult Romance/Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (slight mature content, violence)
I was contacted by the author to review this book and then bought my own copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Destined to be enemies, bound by fate... Prince Ariston rules over the Allegiant - an elite faction favored by the Greek Gods. Separated from his family at a young age, he became a prisoner to the rebellion. Marylyn O'Conner is a rebel, forced to do the rebellion's bidding until an unforgiving family debt is paid. A pawn in the war for rebels to gain their freedom, she is obligated to become a spy, or her family will suffer. Driven by revenge after returning from captivity, Prince Ariston makes it his mission to hunt down rebel spies, capturing Marylyn O'Conner in the process. Desperate, Marylyn knows she needs to escape her alluring captor, or risk the safety of her family. A fast-paced romance that will have you fall in love with each character and keep you turning the pages for more! - Amazon.com
Can you imagine being seperated from your family and being put behind enemy lines? That's the reality faced in this exciting novel! In all honesty I thought the book was really good. The writing was extremely well done and it flowed very well throughout the whole book. The character development was fair and the plot and pacing were well done as well. The book didn't lag in any area from what I saw and there was a natural flow throughout the whole book.
However, I did have some slight nitpicky issues with the book. I didn't feel like there was enough world building in the novel and that the issues between the Alligence and the Rebels could have been better explained. I also felt that the book suffered from instaromance. I think if the book took time to build the characters relationship it would have been better and I don't find instalove believable in books. I also thought that some of the characters in this book could have been better developed, but there is time for improvement since this is the first book in a series.
Verdict: I thought this was an intriguing read with a realistic female character who cared more about her family throughout the novel then finding or keeping a love. I highly praise this book for that and recommend it for readers who love fantasy and are looking for a quick, good read.
Genre: Young Adult Romance/Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (slight mature content, violence)
I was contacted by the author to review this book and then bought my own copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Destined to be enemies, bound by fate... Prince Ariston rules over the Allegiant - an elite faction favored by the Greek Gods. Separated from his family at a young age, he became a prisoner to the rebellion. Marylyn O'Conner is a rebel, forced to do the rebellion's bidding until an unforgiving family debt is paid. A pawn in the war for rebels to gain their freedom, she is obligated to become a spy, or her family will suffer. Driven by revenge after returning from captivity, Prince Ariston makes it his mission to hunt down rebel spies, capturing Marylyn O'Conner in the process. Desperate, Marylyn knows she needs to escape her alluring captor, or risk the safety of her family. A fast-paced romance that will have you fall in love with each character and keep you turning the pages for more! - Amazon.com
Can you imagine being seperated from your family and being put behind enemy lines? That's the reality faced in this exciting novel! In all honesty I thought the book was really good. The writing was extremely well done and it flowed very well throughout the whole book. The character development was fair and the plot and pacing were well done as well. The book didn't lag in any area from what I saw and there was a natural flow throughout the whole book.
However, I did have some slight nitpicky issues with the book. I didn't feel like there was enough world building in the novel and that the issues between the Alligence and the Rebels could have been better explained. I also felt that the book suffered from instaromance. I think if the book took time to build the characters relationship it would have been better and I don't find instalove believable in books. I also thought that some of the characters in this book could have been better developed, but there is time for improvement since this is the first book in a series.
Verdict: I thought this was an intriguing read with a realistic female character who cared more about her family throughout the novel then finding or keeping a love. I highly praise this book for that and recommend it for readers who love fantasy and are looking for a quick, good read.
Rating: 2/5
Genre: Sci-Fi
Recommended Age: 16+ (some slight mature content, death, violence, robots (if you have a fear do not read!)
JF Dubeau’s debut novel, The Life Engineered begins in the year 3594, where humanity is little more than a memory―a legend of the distant past destined to reappear. Capeks, a race of artificial creatures originally created by humans, have inherited the galaxy and formed a utopian civilization built on the shared goal of tirelessly working to prepare for their makers’ return.
One moment a cop dying in the line of duty in Boston, the next “reborn” as a Capek, Dagir must find her place in this intricate society. That vaguely remembered “death” was but the last of hundreds of simulated lives, distilling her current personality. A robot built for rescue and repair, she finds her abilities tested immediately after her awakening when the large, sentient facility that created her is destroyed, marking the only instance of murder the peaceful Capeks have ever known. For the first time in their history, conflicting philosophies clash, setting off a violent civil war that could lay waste to the stars themselves.
Dagir sets off on a quest to find the killers, and finds much more than she sought. As the layers of the Capeks’ past peel away to reveal their early origins, centuries-old truths come to light. And the resulting revelations may tear humanity’s children apart―and destroy all remnants of humankind. - Amazon.com
This will be a short review. This is the SECOND time I've had to DNF this book. I keep trying to read it because my husband raves about it, but I really don't see why. The book has an intriguing concept, but for me the writing is what keeps me from enjoying it. The characters are also really unbelievable and it really takes someone who loves sci-fi and has a huge imagination to accurately understand this book. I think I'm going to tell my husband I refuse to read this book any longer lol.
Verdict: Interesting concept. Weird writing and characters. Read if you like sci-fi and like robots (seriously, robots everywhere!).
Genre: Sci-Fi
Recommended Age: 16+ (some slight mature content, death, violence, robots (if you have a fear do not read!)
JF Dubeau’s debut novel, The Life Engineered begins in the year 3594, where humanity is little more than a memory―a legend of the distant past destined to reappear. Capeks, a race of artificial creatures originally created by humans, have inherited the galaxy and formed a utopian civilization built on the shared goal of tirelessly working to prepare for their makers’ return.
One moment a cop dying in the line of duty in Boston, the next “reborn” as a Capek, Dagir must find her place in this intricate society. That vaguely remembered “death” was but the last of hundreds of simulated lives, distilling her current personality. A robot built for rescue and repair, she finds her abilities tested immediately after her awakening when the large, sentient facility that created her is destroyed, marking the only instance of murder the peaceful Capeks have ever known. For the first time in their history, conflicting philosophies clash, setting off a violent civil war that could lay waste to the stars themselves.
Dagir sets off on a quest to find the killers, and finds much more than she sought. As the layers of the Capeks’ past peel away to reveal their early origins, centuries-old truths come to light. And the resulting revelations may tear humanity’s children apart―and destroy all remnants of humankind. - Amazon.com
This will be a short review. This is the SECOND time I've had to DNF this book. I keep trying to read it because my husband raves about it, but I really don't see why. The book has an intriguing concept, but for me the writing is what keeps me from enjoying it. The characters are also really unbelievable and it really takes someone who loves sci-fi and has a huge imagination to accurately understand this book. I think I'm going to tell my husband I refuse to read this book any longer lol.
Verdict: Interesting concept. Weird writing and characters. Read if you like sci-fi and like robots (seriously, robots everywhere!).
Rating: 2/5
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (language, violence, time travel)
Gangs of New York meets Six of Crows in this captivating new series about a girl who must travel back in time to find a mysterious book that could save her future.
Stop the Magician.
Steal the book.
Save the future.
In modern day New York, magic is all but extinct. The remaining few who have an affinity for magic—the Mageus—live in the shadows, hiding who they are. Any Mageus who enters Manhattan becomes trapped by the Brink, a dark energy barrier that confines them to the island. Crossing it means losing their power—and often their lives.
Esta is a talented thief, and she’s been raised to steal magical artifacts from the sinister Order that created the Brink. With her innate ability to manipulate time, Esta can pilfer from the past, collecting these artifacts before the Order even realizes she’s there. And all of Esta’s training has been for one final job: traveling back to 1902 to steal an ancient book containing the secrets of the Order—and the Brink—before the Magician can destroy it and doom the Mageus to a hopeless future.
But Old New York is a dangerous world ruled by ruthless gangs and secret societies, a world where the very air crackles with magic. Nothing is as it seems, including the Magician himself. And for Esta to save her future, she may have to betray everyone in the past. - Amazon.com
Guys I tried. I wanted to love this book! I really really did! But I had to DNF it. This is the month of the DNF =(. I just could not get into this book! Before I go into the reasons why, I'll tell you what I did like about the book. This book had very in depth character development of each character and it really made them come alilve. The book also had an intriguing plot.
Unfortunately, the writing in this book kept me from getting into it. I feel that the writing was too detailed for me. It really made the plot drag on and on and on. Like I'm 150ish pages in and nothing is happening. And since the book is 500 pages long I just can't bring myself to complete it when I have other books to read this month. Also 150 pages in and the magic aspect is still a mystery to me.
Verdict: I really wanted to like this book and I feel so upset that I can't! Maybe I'll revisit it in the future but for now it's a DNF. If you like books on magic, time travel, or books set primarily in the early 1900s then you'll like this book!
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (language, violence, time travel)
Gangs of New York meets Six of Crows in this captivating new series about a girl who must travel back in time to find a mysterious book that could save her future.
Stop the Magician.
Steal the book.
Save the future.
In modern day New York, magic is all but extinct. The remaining few who have an affinity for magic—the Mageus—live in the shadows, hiding who they are. Any Mageus who enters Manhattan becomes trapped by the Brink, a dark energy barrier that confines them to the island. Crossing it means losing their power—and often their lives.
Esta is a talented thief, and she’s been raised to steal magical artifacts from the sinister Order that created the Brink. With her innate ability to manipulate time, Esta can pilfer from the past, collecting these artifacts before the Order even realizes she’s there. And all of Esta’s training has been for one final job: traveling back to 1902 to steal an ancient book containing the secrets of the Order—and the Brink—before the Magician can destroy it and doom the Mageus to a hopeless future.
But Old New York is a dangerous world ruled by ruthless gangs and secret societies, a world where the very air crackles with magic. Nothing is as it seems, including the Magician himself. And for Esta to save her future, she may have to betray everyone in the past. - Amazon.com
Guys I tried. I wanted to love this book! I really really did! But I had to DNF it. This is the month of the DNF =(. I just could not get into this book! Before I go into the reasons why, I'll tell you what I did like about the book. This book had very in depth character development of each character and it really made them come alilve. The book also had an intriguing plot.
Unfortunately, the writing in this book kept me from getting into it. I feel that the writing was too detailed for me. It really made the plot drag on and on and on. Like I'm 150ish pages in and nothing is happening. And since the book is 500 pages long I just can't bring myself to complete it when I have other books to read this month. Also 150 pages in and the magic aspect is still a mystery to me.
Verdict: I really wanted to like this book and I feel so upset that I can't! Maybe I'll revisit it in the future but for now it's a DNF. If you like books on magic, time travel, or books set primarily in the early 1900s then you'll like this book!
Rating: 2/5
Genre: Thriller
Recommended Age: 18+ (adult content, torture, violence, trigger warnings for torture)
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Newlyweds Alice and Jake are a picture-perfect couple. Alice, once a singer in a well-known rock band, is now a successful lawyer. Jake is a partner in an up-and-coming psychology practice. Their life together holds endless possibilities. After receiving an enticing wedding gift from one of Alice’s prominent clients, they decide to join an exclusive and mysterious group known only as The Pact.
The goal of The Pact seems simple: to keep marriages happy and intact. And most of its rules make sense. Always answer the phone when your spouse calls. Exchange thoughtful gifts monthly. Plan a trip together once per quarter. . . .
Never mention The Pact to anyone.
Alice and Jake are initially seduced by the glamorous parties, the sense of community, their widening social circle of like-minded couples.
And then one of them breaks the rules.
The young lovers are about to discover that for adherents to The Pact, membership, like marriage, is for life. And The Pact will go to any lengths to enforce that rule.
For Jake and Alice, the marriage of their dreams is about to become their worst nightmare. - Amazon.com
Let's start off with my need for thrillers is completely gone now. I had to DNF this book because it got way to weird and uncomfortable for me. While I thought that the characters were well developed and the writing was pretty good, I got a Stepford Wives and The Gift vibe from this book and it really creeped me out to a point where I had a few nightmares about it. When that happens that's when I call it quits on a book. Aside from the nightmares and the overall creepy vibe of this book, I felt that the books plot and pacing were off. It was probably my being uncomfortable that made this book too weird for me.
Verdict: I can't really give a detailed review like I normally do because of how quickly I DNFed the book, but if you enjoy thrillers and if you loved reading The Stepford Wives or loved watching The Gift you might like this book!
Genre: Thriller
Recommended Age: 18+ (adult content, torture, violence, trigger warnings for torture)
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Newlyweds Alice and Jake are a picture-perfect couple. Alice, once a singer in a well-known rock band, is now a successful lawyer. Jake is a partner in an up-and-coming psychology practice. Their life together holds endless possibilities. After receiving an enticing wedding gift from one of Alice’s prominent clients, they decide to join an exclusive and mysterious group known only as The Pact.
The goal of The Pact seems simple: to keep marriages happy and intact. And most of its rules make sense. Always answer the phone when your spouse calls. Exchange thoughtful gifts monthly. Plan a trip together once per quarter. . . .
Never mention The Pact to anyone.
Alice and Jake are initially seduced by the glamorous parties, the sense of community, their widening social circle of like-minded couples.
And then one of them breaks the rules.
The young lovers are about to discover that for adherents to The Pact, membership, like marriage, is for life. And The Pact will go to any lengths to enforce that rule.
For Jake and Alice, the marriage of their dreams is about to become their worst nightmare. - Amazon.com
Let's start off with my need for thrillers is completely gone now. I had to DNF this book because it got way to weird and uncomfortable for me. While I thought that the characters were well developed and the writing was pretty good, I got a Stepford Wives and The Gift vibe from this book and it really creeped me out to a point where I had a few nightmares about it. When that happens that's when I call it quits on a book. Aside from the nightmares and the overall creepy vibe of this book, I felt that the books plot and pacing were off. It was probably my being uncomfortable that made this book too weird for me.
Verdict: I can't really give a detailed review like I normally do because of how quickly I DNFed the book, but if you enjoy thrillers and if you loved reading The Stepford Wives or loved watching The Gift you might like this book!
Rating: 4/5
Genre: YA Dystopian
Recommended Age: 14+ (death, violence, language)
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Someone must die before another can be born... As sea levels rise and livable landmasses shrink, the Reorganized United States of America has instituted population control measures to ensure there are sufficient resources and food to sustain the growing population. Birth authorization must be paid for and obtained prior to having a child. Someone must die before another can be born, keeping the country in a population neutral position at what experts consider to be the optimal population. The new laws are enforced by a ruthless government organization known as Pop Con, responsible for terminating any children resulting from unauthorized births, and any illegals who manage to survive past their second birthday, at which point they are designated a national security threat and given the name Slip. But what if one child slipped through the cracks? What if someone knew all the loopholes and how to exploit them? Would it change anything? Would the delicate resource balance be thrown into a tailspin, threatening the lives of everyone? And how far would the government go to find and terminate the Slip? In a gripping story of a family torn apart by a single choice, Slip is a reminder of the sanctity of a single life and the value of the lives we so often take for granted. - Amazon.com
I love dystopians. If I could I would make dystopians required reading material for everyone. But in all seriousness to this review, I thought this book was a great young dystopian read. It incorporated a lot of sci-fi books for the futuristic elements and many other classic elements from other dystopian books. I loved that about the book and I also thought that the main characters were all very well developed and the writing was very clear and easy to follow along with. I thought the plot was very intriguing as well.
However, there were some issues I found with the book. For me the conclusion was not satisfying but it does make me want to read more eventually. Some of the side characters in the book felt a little underdeveloped and the world building wasn't that strong. I also felt that the way the book is wrote can be confusing for some people, but it wasn't a problem for me.
Verdict: A really good dystopian without any confusing terms or themes and, in my opinion, would be a good starter dystopian for any young adult who wishes to read one. I suggest getting the triology though because the ending is frustrating, but I can see where it would make you want to read more.
Genre: YA Dystopian
Recommended Age: 14+ (death, violence, language)
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Someone must die before another can be born... As sea levels rise and livable landmasses shrink, the Reorganized United States of America has instituted population control measures to ensure there are sufficient resources and food to sustain the growing population. Birth authorization must be paid for and obtained prior to having a child. Someone must die before another can be born, keeping the country in a population neutral position at what experts consider to be the optimal population. The new laws are enforced by a ruthless government organization known as Pop Con, responsible for terminating any children resulting from unauthorized births, and any illegals who manage to survive past their second birthday, at which point they are designated a national security threat and given the name Slip. But what if one child slipped through the cracks? What if someone knew all the loopholes and how to exploit them? Would it change anything? Would the delicate resource balance be thrown into a tailspin, threatening the lives of everyone? And how far would the government go to find and terminate the Slip? In a gripping story of a family torn apart by a single choice, Slip is a reminder of the sanctity of a single life and the value of the lives we so often take for granted. - Amazon.com
I love dystopians. If I could I would make dystopians required reading material for everyone. But in all seriousness to this review, I thought this book was a great young dystopian read. It incorporated a lot of sci-fi books for the futuristic elements and many other classic elements from other dystopian books. I loved that about the book and I also thought that the main characters were all very well developed and the writing was very clear and easy to follow along with. I thought the plot was very intriguing as well.
However, there were some issues I found with the book. For me the conclusion was not satisfying but it does make me want to read more eventually. Some of the side characters in the book felt a little underdeveloped and the world building wasn't that strong. I also felt that the way the book is wrote can be confusing for some people, but it wasn't a problem for me.
Verdict: A really good dystopian without any confusing terms or themes and, in my opinion, would be a good starter dystopian for any young adult who wishes to read one. I suggest getting the triology though because the ending is frustrating, but I can see where it would make you want to read more.