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popthebutterfly
Disclaimer: I received this e-book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Keeper of Lost Souls
Author: Kristy Centeno
Book Series: Keeper Witches Book 1
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommended For...: Magic, demons, romance
Publication Date: May 14, 2020
Publisher: Inkspell Publishing
Pages: 323
Recommended Age: 17+ (violence, romance, slight gore, magic, romance)
Synopsis: Bryn has survived high school bullies.
She’s fought demons and won.
She’s even learned to coexist with the permanent haunt of one of her arch enemies.
But she’s never had to contend with a boy she was attracted too.
Much less one that was dead.
When Johnny Zhao’s name pops up in her list of charges Bryn doesn’t think much of him. Until their first meeting ends in near disaster.
It doesn’t take long for her to realize Johnny isn’t a conventional soul in need. He’s much more powerful than any she’s seen before. He’s a coveted target, one that has much to offer demons.
Protecting him becomes a priority, one she takes very seriously.
Now if only she could convince him that he needs her help before his adversaries return to claim what they failed to collect the first time around.
Review: For the most part this was a good book. The plot was interesting and the character development was well done. I liked the twists and turns of this book as well.
However I think the pacing is a bit too slow for me and the world building needs to be incorporated a bit more into the story.
Verdict: A fairly well done read.
Book: Keeper of Lost Souls
Author: Kristy Centeno
Book Series: Keeper Witches Book 1
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommended For...: Magic, demons, romance
Publication Date: May 14, 2020
Publisher: Inkspell Publishing
Pages: 323
Recommended Age: 17+ (violence, romance, slight gore, magic, romance)
Synopsis: Bryn has survived high school bullies.
She’s fought demons and won.
She’s even learned to coexist with the permanent haunt of one of her arch enemies.
But she’s never had to contend with a boy she was attracted too.
Much less one that was dead.
When Johnny Zhao’s name pops up in her list of charges Bryn doesn’t think much of him. Until their first meeting ends in near disaster.
It doesn’t take long for her to realize Johnny isn’t a conventional soul in need. He’s much more powerful than any she’s seen before. He’s a coveted target, one that has much to offer demons.
Protecting him becomes a priority, one she takes very seriously.
Now if only she could convince him that he needs her help before his adversaries return to claim what they failed to collect the first time around.
Review: For the most part this was a good book. The plot was interesting and the character development was well done. I liked the twists and turns of this book as well.
However I think the pacing is a bit too slow for me and the world building needs to be incorporated a bit more into the story.
Verdict: A fairly well done read.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Honey Talk
Author: Declan Davey
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 2/5
Recommended For...: Thrillers, Mysteries
Publication Date: June 11, 2019
Publisher: Psych Thrillers Ltd
Pages: 159
Recommended Age: can't recommend, dnf
Synopsis: A cat-and-mouse game of therapy takes Lily down the backstreets of her traumatic past ... Peeling the layers could drag her into perilous territory. Will she find a way out from the depths of her mind?
Professionally thriving yet personally floundering, it’s clear that Lily's mid-thirties mark a point where seeking help is essential.
The chance arises when an impromptu arrangement begins to carve a path away from stubborn memories.
Forget walking the walk, the question is, can Lily talk the talk?
Review: I had to dnf this book at 51%. The book was wrote really weird and the main character did a lot of telling about events but didn't let the reader see it for themselves..I think if it was wrote with a bit more clarity it would have worked better for me. The world building was also a bit lacking.
Verdict: Not for me.
Book: Honey Talk
Author: Declan Davey
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 2/5
Recommended For...: Thrillers, Mysteries
Publication Date: June 11, 2019
Publisher: Psych Thrillers Ltd
Pages: 159
Recommended Age: can't recommend, dnf
Synopsis: A cat-and-mouse game of therapy takes Lily down the backstreets of her traumatic past ... Peeling the layers could drag her into perilous territory. Will she find a way out from the depths of her mind?
Professionally thriving yet personally floundering, it’s clear that Lily's mid-thirties mark a point where seeking help is essential.
The chance arises when an impromptu arrangement begins to carve a path away from stubborn memories.
Forget walking the walk, the question is, can Lily talk the talk?
Review: I had to dnf this book at 51%. The book was wrote really weird and the main character did a lot of telling about events but didn't let the reader see it for themselves..I think if it was wrote with a bit more clarity it would have worked better for me. The world building was also a bit lacking.
Verdict: Not for me.
Disclaimer: I received this book from netgalley. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Finder
Author: Suzanne Palmer
Book Series: The Finder Chronicles Book 1
Rating: 2/5
Recommended For...: sci-fi, heist
Publication Date: April 2, 2019
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 400
Recommended Age: can't recommend, dnf-ed
Synopsis: Fergus Ferguson has been called a lot of names: thief, con artist, repo man. He prefers the term finder.
His latest job should be simple. Find the spacecraft Venetia's Sword and steal it back from Arum Gilger, ex-nobleman turned power-hungry trade boss. He'll slip in, decode the ship's compromised AI security, and get out of town, Sword in hand.
Fergus locates both Gilger and the ship in the farthest corner of human-inhabited space, a gas-giant-harvesting colony called Cernee. But Fergus' arrival at the colony is anything but simple. A cable car explosion launches Cernee into civil war, and Fergus must ally with Gilger's enemies to navigate a field of space mines and a small army of hostile mercenaries. What was supposed to be a routine job evolves into negotiating a power struggle between factions. Even worse, Fergus has become increasingly--and inconveniently--invested in the lives of the locals.
It doesn't help that a dangerous alien species thought mythical prove unsettlingly real, and their ominous triangle ships keep following Fergus around.
Foolhardy. Eccentric. Reckless. Whatever he's called, Fergus will need all the help he can get to take back the Sword and maybe save Cernee from destruction in the process.
Review: I had to dnf this book at 42%. It was a bit too disjointed for me and there was a lot going on in the book. The book also didn't have a lot of world building in my opinion and it was hard to figure out what was going on with the characters when it was near nonstop action.
Verdict: It wasn't for me but it might be for you!
Book: Finder
Author: Suzanne Palmer
Book Series: The Finder Chronicles Book 1
Rating: 2/5
Recommended For...: sci-fi, heist
Publication Date: April 2, 2019
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 400
Recommended Age: can't recommend, dnf-ed
Synopsis: Fergus Ferguson has been called a lot of names: thief, con artist, repo man. He prefers the term finder.
His latest job should be simple. Find the spacecraft Venetia's Sword and steal it back from Arum Gilger, ex-nobleman turned power-hungry trade boss. He'll slip in, decode the ship's compromised AI security, and get out of town, Sword in hand.
Fergus locates both Gilger and the ship in the farthest corner of human-inhabited space, a gas-giant-harvesting colony called Cernee. But Fergus' arrival at the colony is anything but simple. A cable car explosion launches Cernee into civil war, and Fergus must ally with Gilger's enemies to navigate a field of space mines and a small army of hostile mercenaries. What was supposed to be a routine job evolves into negotiating a power struggle between factions. Even worse, Fergus has become increasingly--and inconveniently--invested in the lives of the locals.
It doesn't help that a dangerous alien species thought mythical prove unsettlingly real, and their ominous triangle ships keep following Fergus around.
Foolhardy. Eccentric. Reckless. Whatever he's called, Fergus will need all the help he can get to take back the Sword and maybe save Cernee from destruction in the process.
Review: I had to dnf this book at 42%. It was a bit too disjointed for me and there was a lot going on in the book. The book also didn't have a lot of world building in my opinion and it was hard to figure out what was going on with the characters when it was near nonstop action.
Verdict: It wasn't for me but it might be for you!
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Agnes at the End of the World
Author: Kelly McWilliams
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: Dystopian, Cult, Doomsday, Religion
Publication Date: June 9, 2020
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 417
Recommended Age: 16+ (romance, violence, child abuse TW, child marriage and child rape TW, Cult TW, religion)
Synopsis: Agnes loves her home of Red Creek--its quiet, sunny mornings, its dusty roads, and its God. There, she cares tirelessly for her younger siblings and follows the town's strict laws. What she doesn't know is that Red Creek is a cult, controlled by a madman who calls himself a prophet.
Then Agnes meets Danny, an Outsider boy, and begins to question what is and isn't a sin. Her younger brother, Ezekiel, will die without the insulin she barters for once a month, even though medicine is considered outlawed. Is she a sinner for saving him? Is her sister, Beth, a sinner for dreaming of the world beyond Red Creek?
As the Prophet grows more dangerous, Agnes realizes she must escape with Ezekiel and leave everyone else, including Beth, behind. But it isn't safe Outside, either: A viral pandemic is burning through the population at a terrifying rate. As Agnes ventures forth, a mysterious connection grows between her and the Virus. But in a world where faith, miracles, and cruelty have long been indistinguishable, will Agnes be able to choose between saving her family and saving the world?
Review: Holy cow this book was absolutely amazing! I loved the premise of it and the story was riveting! I loved how the author wrote this and I loved the dual povs between the sisters. The character development was amazing and I enjoyed the world building. And while the virus was a bit of a mystery I think it was well suited for this book.
My only issue is the ending. The ending/solution to the problem felt a bit too clean and a little preachy, but it was still a great read.
Verdict: Highly Recommend!
Book: Agnes at the End of the World
Author: Kelly McWilliams
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: Dystopian, Cult, Doomsday, Religion
Publication Date: June 9, 2020
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 417
Recommended Age: 16+ (romance, violence, child abuse TW, child marriage and child rape TW, Cult TW, religion)
Synopsis: Agnes loves her home of Red Creek--its quiet, sunny mornings, its dusty roads, and its God. There, she cares tirelessly for her younger siblings and follows the town's strict laws. What she doesn't know is that Red Creek is a cult, controlled by a madman who calls himself a prophet.
Then Agnes meets Danny, an Outsider boy, and begins to question what is and isn't a sin. Her younger brother, Ezekiel, will die without the insulin she barters for once a month, even though medicine is considered outlawed. Is she a sinner for saving him? Is her sister, Beth, a sinner for dreaming of the world beyond Red Creek?
As the Prophet grows more dangerous, Agnes realizes she must escape with Ezekiel and leave everyone else, including Beth, behind. But it isn't safe Outside, either: A viral pandemic is burning through the population at a terrifying rate. As Agnes ventures forth, a mysterious connection grows between her and the Virus. But in a world where faith, miracles, and cruelty have long been indistinguishable, will Agnes be able to choose between saving her family and saving the world?
Review: Holy cow this book was absolutely amazing! I loved the premise of it and the story was riveting! I loved how the author wrote this and I loved the dual povs between the sisters. The character development was amazing and I enjoyed the world building. And while the virus was a bit of a mystery I think it was well suited for this book.
My only issue is the ending. The ending/solution to the problem felt a bit too clean and a little preachy, but it was still a great read.
Verdict: Highly Recommend!
Disclaimer: I received this e-book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Girl with a Rose
Author: Leslie Wolfe
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: Thrillers, mystery
Publication Date: April 24, 2020
Publisher: Italics Publishing
Pages: 126
Recommended Age: 18+ (violence, gore, language)
Synopsis: Her body is frozen, unable to move. Her eyes are locked on the blood leaving her body in a steady string of droplets, collecting in the bone ash porcelain bowl engraved with intricate gold leaves. Her parted lips let out a shriek that no one hears. He just smiles and wipes her tears with cold fingers.
The girl: missing
After fifteen-year-old Kaylee disappears without a trace, FBI Special Agent Tess Winnett is assigned to the case that falls outside of the normal purview of the FBI. With every lead she uncovers, more questions are posed with only one possible, terrifying answer: there are others like her who have vanished, never to be seen or heard from again.
Is there a pattern in these disappearances? What happened to the others who have vanished? Is there a connection, or is Tess chasing shadows?
The first twenty-four hours: critical
Frantic for answers and painfully aware of each passing moment, Tess has a choice to make, one that could save the life of a young girl: was Kaylee’s disappearance a singular event, or was she the latest victim of a serial killer no one knew existed?
The odds of finding the girl alive drop with every second passing by and making the wrong choice would seal her fate. Her blood would be on her hands.
Review: For the most part the book was pretty good. The plot was intriguing and the character development was really good. The book also had really good world building and writing. The book kept me on my toes and I liked it for the most part.
However, I did guess the end and the twists weren't that twisty for me, but I am really good at guessing endings.
Verdict: A really good thriller.
Book: Girl with a Rose
Author: Leslie Wolfe
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: Thrillers, mystery
Publication Date: April 24, 2020
Publisher: Italics Publishing
Pages: 126
Recommended Age: 18+ (violence, gore, language)
Synopsis: Her body is frozen, unable to move. Her eyes are locked on the blood leaving her body in a steady string of droplets, collecting in the bone ash porcelain bowl engraved with intricate gold leaves. Her parted lips let out a shriek that no one hears. He just smiles and wipes her tears with cold fingers.
The girl: missing
After fifteen-year-old Kaylee disappears without a trace, FBI Special Agent Tess Winnett is assigned to the case that falls outside of the normal purview of the FBI. With every lead she uncovers, more questions are posed with only one possible, terrifying answer: there are others like her who have vanished, never to be seen or heard from again.
Is there a pattern in these disappearances? What happened to the others who have vanished? Is there a connection, or is Tess chasing shadows?
The first twenty-four hours: critical
Frantic for answers and painfully aware of each passing moment, Tess has a choice to make, one that could save the life of a young girl: was Kaylee’s disappearance a singular event, or was she the latest victim of a serial killer no one knew existed?
The odds of finding the girl alive drop with every second passing by and making the wrong choice would seal her fate. Her blood would be on her hands.
Review: For the most part the book was pretty good. The plot was intriguing and the character development was really good. The book also had really good world building and writing. The book kept me on my toes and I liked it for the most part.
However, I did guess the end and the twists weren't that twisty for me, but I am really good at guessing endings.
Verdict: A really good thriller.
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Disclaimer: I received an e-book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Copper Pennies
Author: Carrie D. Miller
Book Series: The Red Twin Series Book 1
Rating: 2/5
Recommended For...: Thrillers, mysteries
Publication Date: July 13, 2019
Publisher: FiveFold Press
Pages: 364
Recommended Age: can't recommend, dnf-ed
Synopsis: Magda stands in the moonlit cemetery waiting for the spell to work, for her lover to return. But what’s done can’t be undone, and Magda will learn she should have left him in the ground.
When twins Avery and Chloe Parsons receive a cryptic letter and a sinister-looking book filled with illegible scrawls from their grandmother, the sisters set out for Prague to check on her.
Drawn to a cracked crystal ball in a curiosity shop, Chloe discovers it harbors the spirit of their grandmother, who tells them a horrific tale of lust, naïveté, betrayal, and… demons.
Armed with a book of dark magick they can’t read and a cracked crystal ball, the twins must stop Magda’s resurrected lover before he releases an unstoppable force that will consume the human world.
Across continents and nearly a century, follow the adventures of three strong-willed women: one seduced by evil, one struggling to withstand the lure of power, and one trying to save her family—and the world.
Review: I had to dnf this book at 43%. It was a beautiful book but there's a lot going on and it just wasn't for me.
Verdict: Recommend this book, but there's a lot going on so read it when you have a free mind.
Book: Copper Pennies
Author: Carrie D. Miller
Book Series: The Red Twin Series Book 1
Rating: 2/5
Recommended For...: Thrillers, mysteries
Publication Date: July 13, 2019
Publisher: FiveFold Press
Pages: 364
Recommended Age: can't recommend, dnf-ed
Synopsis: Magda stands in the moonlit cemetery waiting for the spell to work, for her lover to return. But what’s done can’t be undone, and Magda will learn she should have left him in the ground.
When twins Avery and Chloe Parsons receive a cryptic letter and a sinister-looking book filled with illegible scrawls from their grandmother, the sisters set out for Prague to check on her.
Drawn to a cracked crystal ball in a curiosity shop, Chloe discovers it harbors the spirit of their grandmother, who tells them a horrific tale of lust, naïveté, betrayal, and… demons.
Armed with a book of dark magick they can’t read and a cracked crystal ball, the twins must stop Magda’s resurrected lover before he releases an unstoppable force that will consume the human world.
Across continents and nearly a century, follow the adventures of three strong-willed women: one seduced by evil, one struggling to withstand the lure of power, and one trying to save her family—and the world.
Review: I had to dnf this book at 43%. It was a beautiful book but there's a lot going on and it just wasn't for me.
Verdict: Recommend this book, but there's a lot going on so read it when you have a free mind.
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Hood
Author: Jenny Elder Moke
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommended For...: Robin Hood retellings
Publication Date: June 9, 2020
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Pages: 320
Recommended Age: 15+ (violence, slight gore)
Synopsis: Isabelle of Kirklees has only ever known a quiet life inside the sheltered walls of the convent, where she lives with her mother, Marien. But after she is arrested by royal soldiers for defending innocent villagers, Isabelle becomes the target of the Wolf, King John's ruthless right hand. Desperate to keep her daughter safe, Marien helps Isabelle escape and sends her on a mission to find the one person who can help: Isabelle's father, Robin Hood.
As Isabelle races to stay out of the Wolf's clutches and find the father she's never known, she is thrust into a world of thieves and mercenaries, handsome young outlaws, new enemies with old grudges, and a king who wants her entire family dead. As she joins forces with Robin and his Merry Men in a final battle against the Wolf, will Isabelle find the strength to defy the crown and save the lives of everyone she holds dear?
Review: For the most part this was a good book. I liked the world building and the plot was very interesting to me. I loved this take on Robin Hood and it was a fairly good read.
However, I feel like the pacing was too fast paced and sometimes it was hard to keep up with what was going on in the book. Also the character development wasn't there in my opinion.
Verdict: It was a good read.
Book: Hood
Author: Jenny Elder Moke
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommended For...: Robin Hood retellings
Publication Date: June 9, 2020
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Pages: 320
Recommended Age: 15+ (violence, slight gore)
Synopsis: Isabelle of Kirklees has only ever known a quiet life inside the sheltered walls of the convent, where she lives with her mother, Marien. But after she is arrested by royal soldiers for defending innocent villagers, Isabelle becomes the target of the Wolf, King John's ruthless right hand. Desperate to keep her daughter safe, Marien helps Isabelle escape and sends her on a mission to find the one person who can help: Isabelle's father, Robin Hood.
As Isabelle races to stay out of the Wolf's clutches and find the father she's never known, she is thrust into a world of thieves and mercenaries, handsome young outlaws, new enemies with old grudges, and a king who wants her entire family dead. As she joins forces with Robin and his Merry Men in a final battle against the Wolf, will Isabelle find the strength to defy the crown and save the lives of everyone she holds dear?
Review: For the most part this was a good book. I liked the world building and the plot was very interesting to me. I loved this take on Robin Hood and it was a fairly good read.
However, I feel like the pacing was too fast paced and sometimes it was hard to keep up with what was going on in the book. Also the character development wasn't there in my opinion.
Verdict: It was a good read.
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Boundlese
Author: Anna Bright
Book Series: The Beholder Book 2
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: Romance, Adventure
Publication Date: June 9, 2020
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 517
Recommended Age: language, sexism, torture, violence, gore, romance
Synopsis: When Selah found true love with Prince Torden of Norway, she never imagined she’d have to leave him behind. All because the Beholder’s true mission was a secret Selah’s crew didn’t trust her to keep: transporting weapons to the rebels fighting against the brutal tsarytsya, whose shadow looms over their next port of Shvartsval’d. A place Selah hoped she’d never go.
But gone is the girl who departed Potomac filled with fear. With a stockpile of weapons belowdecks and her heart hanging in the balance, Selah is determined to see the Beholder’s quest to its end.
Review: This was a sequel I loved more than the first one! This book had such great character development and world building. The plot was intriguing and I was interested from start to finish. And it had a very solid ending with a great message. I also enjoyed the romance. Love love love this book and series!
My only complaint is that I wish that the main character was more involved in the action scenes but, for her character I don't think she would be suited to fight.
Verdict: An amazing series! Highly recommend.
Book: The Boundlese
Author: Anna Bright
Book Series: The Beholder Book 2
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: Romance, Adventure
Publication Date: June 9, 2020
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 517
Recommended Age: language, sexism, torture, violence, gore, romance
Synopsis: When Selah found true love with Prince Torden of Norway, she never imagined she’d have to leave him behind. All because the Beholder’s true mission was a secret Selah’s crew didn’t trust her to keep: transporting weapons to the rebels fighting against the brutal tsarytsya, whose shadow looms over their next port of Shvartsval’d. A place Selah hoped she’d never go.
But gone is the girl who departed Potomac filled with fear. With a stockpile of weapons belowdecks and her heart hanging in the balance, Selah is determined to see the Beholder’s quest to its end.
Review: This was a sequel I loved more than the first one! This book had such great character development and world building. The plot was intriguing and I was interested from start to finish. And it had a very solid ending with a great message. I also enjoyed the romance. Love love love this book and series!
My only complaint is that I wish that the main character was more involved in the action scenes but, for her character I don't think she would be suited to fight.
Verdict: An amazing series! Highly recommend.
Disclaimer: I bought this book as apart of a Beacon Book Box. Support your authors!
Book: The Beholder
Author: Anna Bright
Book Series: The Beholder Book 1
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: Romance, Adventure
Publication Date: June 4, 2019
Publisher: Harperteen
Pages: 497
Recommended Age: 16+ (romance, violence, language, sexism)
Synopsis: Selah has waited her whole life for a happily ever after. As the only daughter of the leader of Potomac, she knows her duty is to find the perfect match, a partner who will help secure the future of her people. Now that day has finally come.
But after an excruciatingly public rejection from her closest childhood friend, Selah’s stepmother suggests an unthinkable solution: Selah must set sail across the Atlantic, where a series of potential suitors awaits—and if she doesn’t come home engaged, she shouldn’t come home at all.
From English castle gardens to the fjords of Norge, and under the eye of the dreaded Imperiya Yotne, Selah’s quest will be the journey of a lifetime. But her stepmother’s schemes aren’t the only secrets hiding belowdecks…and the stakes of her voyage may be higher than any happy ending.
Review: I didn't think I'd like this book as much as I did after seeing some of the reviews but I felt the book was well done. I liked the world building and I liked how the book didn't entirely explain everything. Through snippits you can understand that this is an alternate universe in which America did not start a revolution. The world building was detailed but subtle. The characters are also well developed and while the main characters motives are romance I love how she grows and how she isn't one dimensional. I also love how a rebellion story was developed out of this supposed romance book.
The only fault I had of this book is that it's a bit on the nose and easily predictable, but the book did have some great twists, regardless if they were obvious or not.
Verdict: An amazing book!
Book: The Beholder
Author: Anna Bright
Book Series: The Beholder Book 1
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: Romance, Adventure
Publication Date: June 4, 2019
Publisher: Harperteen
Pages: 497
Recommended Age: 16+ (romance, violence, language, sexism)
Synopsis: Selah has waited her whole life for a happily ever after. As the only daughter of the leader of Potomac, she knows her duty is to find the perfect match, a partner who will help secure the future of her people. Now that day has finally come.
But after an excruciatingly public rejection from her closest childhood friend, Selah’s stepmother suggests an unthinkable solution: Selah must set sail across the Atlantic, where a series of potential suitors awaits—and if she doesn’t come home engaged, she shouldn’t come home at all.
From English castle gardens to the fjords of Norge, and under the eye of the dreaded Imperiya Yotne, Selah’s quest will be the journey of a lifetime. But her stepmother’s schemes aren’t the only secrets hiding belowdecks…and the stakes of her voyage may be higher than any happy ending.
Review: I didn't think I'd like this book as much as I did after seeing some of the reviews but I felt the book was well done. I liked the world building and I liked how the book didn't entirely explain everything. Through snippits you can understand that this is an alternate universe in which America did not start a revolution. The world building was detailed but subtle. The characters are also well developed and while the main characters motives are romance I love how she grows and how she isn't one dimensional. I also love how a rebellion story was developed out of this supposed romance book.
The only fault I had of this book is that it's a bit on the nose and easily predictable, but the book did have some great twists, regardless if they were obvious or not.
Verdict: An amazing book!
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from netgalley. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Challenger
Author: Taran Matharu
Book Series: Contender book 2
Diversity: Middle Eastern main character and deaf/hard of hearing side character
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: Adventure, male lead, History facts
Publication Date: August 11, 2020
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Pages: 400
Recommended Age: 16+ (slavery tw, death, violence, gore)
Synopsis: Cade Carter and his friends have survived the qualifying round of the mysterious overlords' twisted games, decimated by the loss of so many of their comrades during the fight. But they have no time to mourn, for the next round of trials is about to begin.
When the group discovers that their next foe will be even more ferocious than the last, Cade leads them on a quest out into their strange new world to find anything that might give them an edge. But what they find in the wilds could prove to be even more dangerous than the impending battle...
Review: For the most part I thought this was a well done book! I loved the concept and the plot kept me intrigued throughout the whole book. The world building was marvelous and I felt that the action scenes were well scripted. Overall, I loved this sequel.
However, I don't think the author did as well for character development as he did in the first book. The book also had a little less history than the first book.
Verdict: Solid sequel.
Book: The Challenger
Author: Taran Matharu
Book Series: Contender book 2
Diversity: Middle Eastern main character and deaf/hard of hearing side character
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: Adventure, male lead, History facts
Publication Date: August 11, 2020
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Pages: 400
Recommended Age: 16+ (slavery tw, death, violence, gore)
Synopsis: Cade Carter and his friends have survived the qualifying round of the mysterious overlords' twisted games, decimated by the loss of so many of their comrades during the fight. But they have no time to mourn, for the next round of trials is about to begin.
When the group discovers that their next foe will be even more ferocious than the last, Cade leads them on a quest out into their strange new world to find anything that might give them an edge. But what they find in the wilds could prove to be even more dangerous than the impending battle...
Review: For the most part I thought this was a well done book! I loved the concept and the plot kept me intrigued throughout the whole book. The world building was marvelous and I felt that the action scenes were well scripted. Overall, I loved this sequel.
However, I don't think the author did as well for character development as he did in the first book. The book also had a little less history than the first book.
Verdict: Solid sequel.