Take a photo of a barcode or cover
2.51k reviews by:
popthebutterfly
Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Author: J.W. Golan
Book Series: Stormfall Chronicles Book 2
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: December 19, 2019
Genre: Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore, there be dragons)
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 407
Amazon Link
Synopsis: A dragon: the most powerful, destructive and malevolent force known. The last thing Lynette ever wanted to get closer to – and the one thing she’s been tasked to go find.
For the first time in centuries, a dragon has been reported on the edge of the Feyfell. Homes, cities, and forests are all threatened with fiery destruction. The news has plunged the Fae Kingdom into a panic.
Desperate to know the truth behind the reports, and unable to discretely dispatch his own fae soldiers to investigate, King Elyan tasks Lynette, Baxter and Eirlon with tracking down the whereabouts and intentions of the fiery beast.
But Lynette is still only a second-year student at the Fae Academy. She has come far – but she knows she’s no Arche-Mage. Baxter is still struggling to prove his worth, hoping Lynette might see him as something more than the boy-squire she first met two years before. And Eirlon – he still hordes secrets Lynette can only suspect. A girl, a boy, and a gnome – on the hunt for a fire-breathing dragon.
The threats facing the Fae Kingdom, however, are multiplying. A traitor has set his sights on King Elyan, while the Arche-Fae Council continues to treat the Princess Elise as an outsider – an adopted daughter rather than a noblefae by birth. Hostile armies are gathering on the kingdom’s northern frontier, while the mage-turned-swordsman Garth must balance between rescuing a boy on a quest and averting a larger war.
With sightings of dragons, rumors of war, and trained assassins stalking the land, will there even be a Feyfell for Lynette to return to?
Review: I felt like this book was much better than the first. We got a lot more content to the overarching story and the settings were a lot more fleshed out. The dangers are more eminent now. The book is also well written and it has good pacing.
However, I did feel like the action was just non-stop and while that was a good thing for me I would have liked for there to have been breaks and slow downs and stuff.
Verdict: This is a good series.
Author: J.W. Golan
Book Series: Stormfall Chronicles Book 2
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: December 19, 2019
Genre: Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore, there be dragons)
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 407
Amazon Link
Synopsis: A dragon: the most powerful, destructive and malevolent force known. The last thing Lynette ever wanted to get closer to – and the one thing she’s been tasked to go find.
For the first time in centuries, a dragon has been reported on the edge of the Feyfell. Homes, cities, and forests are all threatened with fiery destruction. The news has plunged the Fae Kingdom into a panic.
Desperate to know the truth behind the reports, and unable to discretely dispatch his own fae soldiers to investigate, King Elyan tasks Lynette, Baxter and Eirlon with tracking down the whereabouts and intentions of the fiery beast.
But Lynette is still only a second-year student at the Fae Academy. She has come far – but she knows she’s no Arche-Mage. Baxter is still struggling to prove his worth, hoping Lynette might see him as something more than the boy-squire she first met two years before. And Eirlon – he still hordes secrets Lynette can only suspect. A girl, a boy, and a gnome – on the hunt for a fire-breathing dragon.
The threats facing the Fae Kingdom, however, are multiplying. A traitor has set his sights on King Elyan, while the Arche-Fae Council continues to treat the Princess Elise as an outsider – an adopted daughter rather than a noblefae by birth. Hostile armies are gathering on the kingdom’s northern frontier, while the mage-turned-swordsman Garth must balance between rescuing a boy on a quest and averting a larger war.
With sightings of dragons, rumors of war, and trained assassins stalking the land, will there even be a Feyfell for Lynette to return to?
Review: I felt like this book was much better than the first. We got a lot more content to the overarching story and the settings were a lot more fleshed out. The dangers are more eminent now. The book is also well written and it has good pacing.
However, I did feel like the action was just non-stop and while that was a good thing for me I would have liked for there to have been breaks and slow downs and stuff.
Verdict: This is a good series.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Wandering in Wonderland
Author: Aislinn Honeycutt
Book Series: Wandering in Wonderland Book 1
Rating: 1/5
Diversity: LGBT friendly
Publication Date: June 4, 2019
Genre: YA Dark Fantasy
Recommended Age: Can’t recommend, DNF-ed
Publisher: The Parliament House
Pages: 195
Amazon Link
Synopsis: “Lewis Carroll didn’t get it right?”
“No, my dear. I don’t think anyone truly will.”
Far away and down a rabbit hole sits the magical world known as Wonderland. A safe haven for the souls who lived less than ideal lives in the waking world get to experience peace in their afterlife. Jessica is the newest member of this enchanted land, but after eating a cookie that took away her memories of who she was, she doubts herself at every turn.
Jessica participates in The Looking Glass Ceremony to find her new role in the afterlife, but fate has different plans. As the Queen of Hearts takes Jessica under her royal wing, plots of regicide bubble up from the depths of Wonderland. With the help of new and eccentric friends, Jessica might be able to stop the treasonous threats and bring true peace to Wonderland. But only if she heeds the cryptic words of the Caterpillar.
Familiar faces take on new roles in this fantasy retelling with a dark and romantic LGBT twist This isn’t the Wonderland you’ve experienced before, and you definitely don’t want to be late for it.
Review: I had to DNF this book. While I thought it was interesting and had a good premise, the writing is disjointed and the way that it’s told with the time skips really throw me off. There’s so much going on in these, but it’s not in the story. The story lacks substance in my opinion.
Verdict: Not for me.
Book: Wandering in Wonderland
Author: Aislinn Honeycutt
Book Series: Wandering in Wonderland Book 1
Rating: 1/5
Diversity: LGBT friendly
Publication Date: June 4, 2019
Genre: YA Dark Fantasy
Recommended Age: Can’t recommend, DNF-ed
Publisher: The Parliament House
Pages: 195
Amazon Link
Synopsis: “Lewis Carroll didn’t get it right?”
“No, my dear. I don’t think anyone truly will.”
Far away and down a rabbit hole sits the magical world known as Wonderland. A safe haven for the souls who lived less than ideal lives in the waking world get to experience peace in their afterlife. Jessica is the newest member of this enchanted land, but after eating a cookie that took away her memories of who she was, she doubts herself at every turn.
Jessica participates in The Looking Glass Ceremony to find her new role in the afterlife, but fate has different plans. As the Queen of Hearts takes Jessica under her royal wing, plots of regicide bubble up from the depths of Wonderland. With the help of new and eccentric friends, Jessica might be able to stop the treasonous threats and bring true peace to Wonderland. But only if she heeds the cryptic words of the Caterpillar.
Familiar faces take on new roles in this fantasy retelling with a dark and romantic LGBT twist This isn’t the Wonderland you’ve experienced before, and you definitely don’t want to be late for it.
Review: I had to DNF this book. While I thought it was interesting and had a good premise, the writing is disjointed and the way that it’s told with the time skips really throw me off. There’s so much going on in these, but it’s not in the story. The story lacks substance in my opinion.
Verdict: Not for me.
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own!
Book: The Darkness We Hide
Author: Debra Webb
Book Series: The Undertaker’s Daughter Book 3
Rating: 3/5
Publication Date: March 31, 2020
Genre: Thriller
Recommended Age: Can’t recommend, DNF-ed
Publisher: MIRA
Pages: 352
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Some secrets are worth dying for.
For months, Doctor Rowan Dupont has been staring death in the face. It followed her back to her hometown of Winchester, Tennessee, ten months ago, cloaking the walls of her family’s Victorian funeral home like a shroud. In investigating the mysterious deaths of her loved ones, Rowan has unearthed enough family secrets to bury everything she’d previously thought true. But each shocking discovery has only led to more bodies and more questions; the rabbit hole is deeper than she ever imagined.
Despite settling in to a comfortable life with Police Chief Billy Brannigan, Rowan knows dangerous serial killer Julian Addington is still out there. She can’t let her guard down now. Not when she’s this close to ending his torment once and for all. But with a storm brewing on the horizon, she’ll get only one shot before the impending darkness takes hold, threatening to wipe away every truth she’s uncovered—and everything she holds dear.
Review: I had to DNF this book. It was very hard to keep everything straight with it being a third book and I’d rather wait to read the first two before I jump in. This isn’t a DNF because the book is bad, it’s a DNF for now because I need to make a book review for this and I don’t want to DNF a book with amazing writing and characters because I can’t understand what’s going on.
Verdict: Read book 1 and 2 before this!
Book: The Darkness We Hide
Author: Debra Webb
Book Series: The Undertaker’s Daughter Book 3
Rating: 3/5
Publication Date: March 31, 2020
Genre: Thriller
Recommended Age: Can’t recommend, DNF-ed
Publisher: MIRA
Pages: 352
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Some secrets are worth dying for.
For months, Doctor Rowan Dupont has been staring death in the face. It followed her back to her hometown of Winchester, Tennessee, ten months ago, cloaking the walls of her family’s Victorian funeral home like a shroud. In investigating the mysterious deaths of her loved ones, Rowan has unearthed enough family secrets to bury everything she’d previously thought true. But each shocking discovery has only led to more bodies and more questions; the rabbit hole is deeper than she ever imagined.
Despite settling in to a comfortable life with Police Chief Billy Brannigan, Rowan knows dangerous serial killer Julian Addington is still out there. She can’t let her guard down now. Not when she’s this close to ending his torment once and for all. But with a storm brewing on the horizon, she’ll get only one shot before the impending darkness takes hold, threatening to wipe away every truth she’s uncovered—and everything she holds dear.
Review: I had to DNF this book. It was very hard to keep everything straight with it being a third book and I’d rather wait to read the first two before I jump in. This isn’t a DNF because the book is bad, it’s a DNF for now because I need to make a book review for this and I don’t want to DNF a book with amazing writing and characters because I can’t understand what’s going on.
Verdict: Read book 1 and 2 before this!
Disclaimer: I received this book from Reedsy Discovery! Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Hybrids, Volume One: Trouble
Author: Jennie Dorny
Book Series: Hybrids Volume One
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: April 7, 2020
Genre: Science Fiction
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore, lots of water)
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 443
Amazon Link
Synopsis: She sought refuge on an ocean-covered planet. She didn’t learn its codes until too late. Now she must leave to survive. Theo’s dreams of exploring distant lands are cut short when her father betrays her. On the run, she flees to Eridan, where Washone, the spiritual leader, is expecting her. As she is about to reach this ocean-covered planet inhabited by telepaths, she is kidnapped by a bounty-hunter. Ashta, an Eridani Savalwoman, befriends Theo, rescues her, and they land together on Eridan. While Theo trains to become a Savalwoman – a warrior – bleak memories of past hurts disrupt her attempts to trust herself and others. She is unaware of her own mental powers, so when she believes that she has been betrayed by Ashta, she nearly destroys her friend’s mind in a fit of wounded rage that blazes across the planet. To protect Theo from those who, like ambitious Keith of Rain Forest, would like to use her powerful mind for their benefit, Washone decides that she must leave Eridan. Can Theo convince Washone to let her stay? Or will she have to leave her new friends and go on the run again, with no place to go?
Review: This book gave me definite water-world feels! I loved the story and plot, I loved the writing and I felt like the author has a real talent for this! The characters were also very well developed.
However, I did have some thing I didn’t like about the book. I felt like the banter between the characters were a bit dry and could have been better. I felt like the world building could have been better as well. The action scenes were a bit chaotic and hard to follow as well. Also, at certain times, the pacing really slows down and it really drags the novel along.
Verdict: Overall, I really liked this book! Definitely one worth reading!
Book: Hybrids, Volume One: Trouble
Author: Jennie Dorny
Book Series: Hybrids Volume One
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: April 7, 2020
Genre: Science Fiction
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore, lots of water)
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 443
Amazon Link
Synopsis: She sought refuge on an ocean-covered planet. She didn’t learn its codes until too late. Now she must leave to survive. Theo’s dreams of exploring distant lands are cut short when her father betrays her. On the run, she flees to Eridan, where Washone, the spiritual leader, is expecting her. As she is about to reach this ocean-covered planet inhabited by telepaths, she is kidnapped by a bounty-hunter. Ashta, an Eridani Savalwoman, befriends Theo, rescues her, and they land together on Eridan. While Theo trains to become a Savalwoman – a warrior – bleak memories of past hurts disrupt her attempts to trust herself and others. She is unaware of her own mental powers, so when she believes that she has been betrayed by Ashta, she nearly destroys her friend’s mind in a fit of wounded rage that blazes across the planet. To protect Theo from those who, like ambitious Keith of Rain Forest, would like to use her powerful mind for their benefit, Washone decides that she must leave Eridan. Can Theo convince Washone to let her stay? Or will she have to leave her new friends and go on the run again, with no place to go?
Review: This book gave me definite water-world feels! I loved the story and plot, I loved the writing and I felt like the author has a real talent for this! The characters were also very well developed.
However, I did have some thing I didn’t like about the book. I felt like the banter between the characters were a bit dry and could have been better. I felt like the world building could have been better as well. The action scenes were a bit chaotic and hard to follow as well. Also, at certain times, the pacing really slows down and it really drags the novel along.
Verdict: Overall, I really liked this book! Definitely one worth reading!
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Garden of Ashes
Author: Kathryn Lee Martin
Book Series: Snow Spark Saga Book 2
Rating: 3/5
Publication Date: August 15, 2018
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore, depression TW)
Publisher: The Parliament House
Pages: 390
Amazon Link
Synopsis: It’s the one place no rustler ever wants to end up.
Having survived Rondo’s destruction, sixteen-year-old Rags has been taken captive by the Kingdom and sentenced to ‘rehabilitation’ at the Kingdom’s Threshing Floor, a notorious prison camp for hardened criminals. Those who refuse to serve the Kingdom go in…no one comes out.
Faced with this nightmarish reality, Rags is forced to use everything she knows as a rustler to survive against starvation, a cruel ward master, and torture at the hands of the Kingdom’s ruler, Hyperion. Given only two options—death, or conformation to the Kingdom’s ways—she’s forced to play the Kingdom’s twisted game.
With the help of the Kingdom’s second-in-command, Henrick Oreson, and its charismatic luresman, Colton Caelan Fieldson, Rags must find a way to play a convincingly false role she was never meant to play and show the Kingdom she can be ‘rehabilitated’ to its standards. But with the deciding evaluation rigged in the Kingdom’s favor, failure is imminent…unless she can find a way to turn lies into truth and achieve the impossible: actually, escape the Threshing Floor.
Review: I think this book greatly improved from the first book. The book picks up from where the first left off and it runs with the plot. The pacing is fast, the characters become more developed, and they lost the steampunk western tagline lol.
However, I did feel like the writing was still circular in some parts. The author keeps going back to certain points and it makes me feel talked down to. The book also has some questionable editing. There are some missing subplots and points and some things happen with no setup or explanation. It’s still confusing.
Verdict: It was ok, but very confusing for me.
Book: Garden of Ashes
Author: Kathryn Lee Martin
Book Series: Snow Spark Saga Book 2
Rating: 3/5
Publication Date: August 15, 2018
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore, depression TW)
Publisher: The Parliament House
Pages: 390
Amazon Link
Synopsis: It’s the one place no rustler ever wants to end up.
Having survived Rondo’s destruction, sixteen-year-old Rags has been taken captive by the Kingdom and sentenced to ‘rehabilitation’ at the Kingdom’s Threshing Floor, a notorious prison camp for hardened criminals. Those who refuse to serve the Kingdom go in…no one comes out.
Faced with this nightmarish reality, Rags is forced to use everything she knows as a rustler to survive against starvation, a cruel ward master, and torture at the hands of the Kingdom’s ruler, Hyperion. Given only two options—death, or conformation to the Kingdom’s ways—she’s forced to play the Kingdom’s twisted game.
With the help of the Kingdom’s second-in-command, Henrick Oreson, and its charismatic luresman, Colton Caelan Fieldson, Rags must find a way to play a convincingly false role she was never meant to play and show the Kingdom she can be ‘rehabilitated’ to its standards. But with the deciding evaluation rigged in the Kingdom’s favor, failure is imminent…unless she can find a way to turn lies into truth and achieve the impossible: actually, escape the Threshing Floor.
Review: I think this book greatly improved from the first book. The book picks up from where the first left off and it runs with the plot. The pacing is fast, the characters become more developed, and they lost the steampunk western tagline lol.
However, I did feel like the writing was still circular in some parts. The author keeps going back to certain points and it makes me feel talked down to. The book also has some questionable editing. There are some missing subplots and points and some things happen with no setup or explanation. It’s still confusing.
Verdict: It was ok, but very confusing for me.
.jpg)
Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Parting Shadows
Author: Kate Sheeran Swed
Book Series: Toccata System Book 1
Rating: 4/5
Diversity: Murderous/Heartsick AI
Publication Date: July 9, 2019
Genre: Sci-Fi
Recommended Age: 17+ (violence, gore, death (lots of it in detail), some sexual content, murderous AI TW)
Publisher: Spells & Spaceships Press
Pages: 139
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Raised by a heartsick AI, she’s programmed to kill. And desperate to flee.
After growing up on an isolated space station, Astra dreams of solid ground. But with an AI guardian plugged into her head--and her nervous system--it’s not like she’s flush with choices. In fact, she’s got just one: use her training to carry out the rogue AI’s revenge. Her first mission? Assassination.
When her target flashes a jamming device that would guarantee her escape from the AI’s grasp, Astra sets out to steal it. But the AI’s plans are more dangerous than she suspected. Corrupted by heartbreak, the wayward computer is determined to infect the star system with a new order of digital tyranny.
Astra’s been raised to care for no one but herself. Now she’ll have to decide if she’s willing to trade the star system’s freedom for her own.
Parting Shadows is a far-future take on Estella Havisham’s journey in Great Expectations, and the first installment in Kate Sheeran Swed’s Toccata System novella trilogy.
Review: Overall, this is a great book! The characters are super complex and the writing is amazing. This is probably one of the best written sci-fis I’ve ever read and one of the most unique! The AI in this book has more emotion than AIDAN and it honestly terrifies me. The author nails the atmosphere and she does well to make the pacing very fast and easy to follow.
Overall, the plot is a bit confusing. We’re just thrown into the book and it takes awhile for the events to be explained. This works for the book, but it threw my brain for a loop after being handheld in a previous book lol. I also wanted a bit more world building, but that’s just me and my love of stars.
Verdict: I loved this book!
Book: Parting Shadows
Author: Kate Sheeran Swed
Book Series: Toccata System Book 1
Rating: 4/5
Diversity: Murderous/Heartsick AI
Publication Date: July 9, 2019
Genre: Sci-Fi
Recommended Age: 17+ (violence, gore, death (lots of it in detail), some sexual content, murderous AI TW)
Publisher: Spells & Spaceships Press
Pages: 139
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Raised by a heartsick AI, she’s programmed to kill. And desperate to flee.
After growing up on an isolated space station, Astra dreams of solid ground. But with an AI guardian plugged into her head--and her nervous system--it’s not like she’s flush with choices. In fact, she’s got just one: use her training to carry out the rogue AI’s revenge. Her first mission? Assassination.
When her target flashes a jamming device that would guarantee her escape from the AI’s grasp, Astra sets out to steal it. But the AI’s plans are more dangerous than she suspected. Corrupted by heartbreak, the wayward computer is determined to infect the star system with a new order of digital tyranny.
Astra’s been raised to care for no one but herself. Now she’ll have to decide if she’s willing to trade the star system’s freedom for her own.
Parting Shadows is a far-future take on Estella Havisham’s journey in Great Expectations, and the first installment in Kate Sheeran Swed’s Toccata System novella trilogy.
Review: Overall, this is a great book! The characters are super complex and the writing is amazing. This is probably one of the best written sci-fis I’ve ever read and one of the most unique! The AI in this book has more emotion than AIDAN and it honestly terrifies me. The author nails the atmosphere and she does well to make the pacing very fast and easy to follow.
Overall, the plot is a bit confusing. We’re just thrown into the book and it takes awhile for the events to be explained. This works for the book, but it threw my brain for a loop after being handheld in a previous book lol. I also wanted a bit more world building, but that’s just me and my love of stars.
Verdict: I loved this book!
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher and netgalley. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: All-American Muslim Girl
Author: Nadine Jolie Courtney
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Muslim main character and family!!
Publication Date: November 12, 2019
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 15+ (romance, racism, and self discovery)
Publisher: Farrer, Straus, and Giroux
Pages: 415
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Allie Abraham has it all going for her—she's a straight-A student, with good friends and a close-knit family, and she's dating cute, popular, and sweet Wells Henderson. One problem: Wells's father is Jack Henderson, America's most famous conservative shock jock...and Allie hasn't told Wells that her family is Muslim. It's not like Allie's religion is a secret, exactly. It's just that her parents don't practice and raised her to keep her Islamic heritage to herself. But as Allie witnesses ever-growing Islamophobia in her small town and across the nation, she begins to embrace her faith—studying it, practicing it, and facing hatred and misunderstanding for it. Who is Allie, if she sheds the façade of the "perfect" all-American girl? What does it mean to be a "Good Muslim?" And can a Muslim girl in America ever truly fit in?
ALL-AMERICAN MUSLIM GIRL is a relevant, relatable story of being caught between two worlds, and the struggles and hard-won joys of finding your place.
Review: I really loved this sweet book. It was an amazing book full of self discovery and how to deal with racism and people’s incorrect views on you and your religion/culture/skin color. I thought the characters were well developed, the romance was sweet and well paced, and the world building amazing. I loved how the author opened up with a racist event between Allie’s father on a plane… and while it was cringe worthy the book demanded that you face it as Allie and Muslims have to everyday. Definitely one of the most important books I’ve read in 2020.
The only issue I had, since I have to point out one to keep all of my reviews fair, is that the pacing did feel a bit slow in places and it dragged in a couple of tiny spots, but overall an amazingly well done novel!
Verdict: Worth the read!
Book: All-American Muslim Girl
Author: Nadine Jolie Courtney
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Muslim main character and family!!
Publication Date: November 12, 2019
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 15+ (romance, racism, and self discovery)
Publisher: Farrer, Straus, and Giroux
Pages: 415
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Allie Abraham has it all going for her—she's a straight-A student, with good friends and a close-knit family, and she's dating cute, popular, and sweet Wells Henderson. One problem: Wells's father is Jack Henderson, America's most famous conservative shock jock...and Allie hasn't told Wells that her family is Muslim. It's not like Allie's religion is a secret, exactly. It's just that her parents don't practice and raised her to keep her Islamic heritage to herself. But as Allie witnesses ever-growing Islamophobia in her small town and across the nation, she begins to embrace her faith—studying it, practicing it, and facing hatred and misunderstanding for it. Who is Allie, if she sheds the façade of the "perfect" all-American girl? What does it mean to be a "Good Muslim?" And can a Muslim girl in America ever truly fit in?
ALL-AMERICAN MUSLIM GIRL is a relevant, relatable story of being caught between two worlds, and the struggles and hard-won joys of finding your place.
Review: I really loved this sweet book. It was an amazing book full of self discovery and how to deal with racism and people’s incorrect views on you and your religion/culture/skin color. I thought the characters were well developed, the romance was sweet and well paced, and the world building amazing. I loved how the author opened up with a racist event between Allie’s father on a plane… and while it was cringe worthy the book demanded that you face it as Allie and Muslims have to everyday. Definitely one of the most important books I’ve read in 2020.
The only issue I had, since I have to point out one to keep all of my reviews fair, is that the pacing did feel a bit slow in places and it dragged in a couple of tiny spots, but overall an amazingly well done novel!
Verdict: Worth the read!
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher and Rockstar Book Tours. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Scheme
Author: Jennifer Sommersby
Book Series: AVRA-K Book 2
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: April 7, 2020
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (some romance, death, violence)
Publisher: Sky Pony Press
Pages: 432
Amazon Link
Synopsis: From Cirque Magnifique to Tanrilar Sirk,
From Europe to the sands of Babylon ...
Continue the adventure with Genevieve, Henry, and Baby in the sequel to SLEIGHT.
Review: I thought this book did well to build on the first book. It further developed our main characters, the world building greatly expanded, and the book did well to introduce new characters and settings. I continued to love the writing and the plot was intriguing and fun!
However, the pacing was still slower than what I would like it to be and I felt that the book became more character centric than about the main issue at hand.
Verdict: I recommend this series!
Book: Scheme
Author: Jennifer Sommersby
Book Series: AVRA-K Book 2
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: April 7, 2020
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (some romance, death, violence)
Publisher: Sky Pony Press
Pages: 432
Amazon Link
Synopsis: From Cirque Magnifique to Tanrilar Sirk,
From Europe to the sands of Babylon ...
Continue the adventure with Genevieve, Henry, and Baby in the sequel to SLEIGHT.
Review: I thought this book did well to build on the first book. It further developed our main characters, the world building greatly expanded, and the book did well to introduce new characters and settings. I continued to love the writing and the plot was intriguing and fun!
However, the pacing was still slower than what I would like it to be and I felt that the book became more character centric than about the main issue at hand.
Verdict: I recommend this series!
Disclaimer: I received this book from Rockstar Tours. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: August 21st, 2018
Genre: Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (romance, mature scenes)
Pages: 250
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: “The time for Kiero’s reign in prosperity is over.”
Six years before the Black Dawn Rebellion, Adair Stratton and Emory Fae are following in their parent’s footsteps and living at The Academy, a home for those who are gifted. The pressure to uphold the future of their parent’s dream falls on them. An outcast and feared by most, Adair longs to break away from the expectations dictating his future. Even if Emory tries to make him see differently. An unexpected group of friends keep him there, but as whispers of unexplained disappearances start reaching from the capital, Adair starts to doubt The Academy is all it seems.
An unexpected visit ignites new tensions as the roguish king from across the Black Sea, Tadeas Maher of the Shattered Isles, and his heir, Marquis Maher sail to Kiero. Notorious for their pirating and wrath- for the first time in years, they demand the Fae’s listen to their proposition for a new treaty, holding the news of Nei’s father’s abrupt death over them. Caught in the middle of politics- Adair and Emory, with the help of their best friends Brokk and Memphis search for the one thing that matters most- finding out the truth.
In this gripping prequel to Black Dawn, their world is tipped upside down as unlikely alliances are made. War ravages through Kiero and is torn apart by acclaimed Kings. Through the throes of betrayal, lies, hidden magic and love, Adair is faced with a life changing decision- to fight or to bow to the darkness within him.
I felt that this would be the series I would love to read! While this is a prologue, this novella is absolutely beautiful. The characters are well developed and the plot is intriguing. It’s also very well written.
However, I do feel that this book was a bit lengthy at times and it ran a little long for me. I also felt that the pacing was a tad slow in most of the parts of the books.
Verdict: Amazing story and definitely worth the read if you want to read the rest of the series!
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: August 21st, 2018
Genre: Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (romance, mature scenes)
Pages: 250
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: “The time for Kiero’s reign in prosperity is over.”
Six years before the Black Dawn Rebellion, Adair Stratton and Emory Fae are following in their parent’s footsteps and living at The Academy, a home for those who are gifted. The pressure to uphold the future of their parent’s dream falls on them. An outcast and feared by most, Adair longs to break away from the expectations dictating his future. Even if Emory tries to make him see differently. An unexpected group of friends keep him there, but as whispers of unexplained disappearances start reaching from the capital, Adair starts to doubt The Academy is all it seems.
An unexpected visit ignites new tensions as the roguish king from across the Black Sea, Tadeas Maher of the Shattered Isles, and his heir, Marquis Maher sail to Kiero. Notorious for their pirating and wrath- for the first time in years, they demand the Fae’s listen to their proposition for a new treaty, holding the news of Nei’s father’s abrupt death over them. Caught in the middle of politics- Adair and Emory, with the help of their best friends Brokk and Memphis search for the one thing that matters most- finding out the truth.
In this gripping prequel to Black Dawn, their world is tipped upside down as unlikely alliances are made. War ravages through Kiero and is torn apart by acclaimed Kings. Through the throes of betrayal, lies, hidden magic and love, Adair is faced with a life changing decision- to fight or to bow to the darkness within him.
I felt that this would be the series I would love to read! While this is a prologue, this novella is absolutely beautiful. The characters are well developed and the plot is intriguing. It’s also very well written.
However, I do feel that this book was a bit lengthy at times and it ran a little long for me. I also felt that the pacing was a tad slow in most of the parts of the books.
Verdict: Amazing story and definitely worth the read if you want to read the rest of the series!
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher and netgalley. Thanks! All opinions are my own!
Book: Sal and Gabi Break the Universe
Author: Carlos Hernandez
Book Series: Sal and Gabi Book 1
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Cuban American rep and #ownvoices!
Publication Date: March 5, 2019
Genre: MG Fantasy
Recommended Age: 10+ (magic, parent death)
Publisher: Rick Riordan Presents
Pages: 382
Amazon Link
Synopsis: How did a raw chicken get inside Yasmany's locker?
When Sal Vidon meets Gabi Real for the first time, it isn't under the best of circumstances. Sal is in the principal's office for the third time in three days, and it's still the first week of school. Gabi, student council president and editor of the school paper, is there to support her friend Yasmany, who just picked a fight with Sal. She is determined to prove that somehow, Sal planted a raw chicken in Yasmany's locker, even though nobody saw him do it and the bloody poultry has since mysteriously disappeared.
Sal prides himself on being an excellent magician, but for this sleight of hand, he relied on a talent no one would guess . . . except maybe Gabi, whose sharp eyes never miss a trick. When Gabi learns that he's capable of conjuring things much bigger than a chicken--including his dead mother--and she takes it all in stride, Sal knows that she is someone he can work with. There's only one slight problem: their manipulation of time and space could put the entire universe at risk.
A sassy entropy sweeper, a documentary about wedgies, a principal who wears a Venetian bauta mask, and heaping platefuls of Cuban food are just some of the delights that await in this mind-blowing novel gift-wrapped in love and laughter.
Review: This was an insanely cute and fun book! The characters were engaging, the world building was fantastic, and the fantasty elements were rooted in science! I absolutely loved the story and the writing just flowed so well!
If I had to state an issue I had with the book, it was that it took me a bit to get into it, but once I was into it, I was hooked!
Verdict: A great book for kids and adults alike!
Book: Sal and Gabi Break the Universe
Author: Carlos Hernandez
Book Series: Sal and Gabi Book 1
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Cuban American rep and #ownvoices!
Publication Date: March 5, 2019
Genre: MG Fantasy
Recommended Age: 10+ (magic, parent death)
Publisher: Rick Riordan Presents
Pages: 382
Amazon Link
Synopsis: How did a raw chicken get inside Yasmany's locker?
When Sal Vidon meets Gabi Real for the first time, it isn't under the best of circumstances. Sal is in the principal's office for the third time in three days, and it's still the first week of school. Gabi, student council president and editor of the school paper, is there to support her friend Yasmany, who just picked a fight with Sal. She is determined to prove that somehow, Sal planted a raw chicken in Yasmany's locker, even though nobody saw him do it and the bloody poultry has since mysteriously disappeared.
Sal prides himself on being an excellent magician, but for this sleight of hand, he relied on a talent no one would guess . . . except maybe Gabi, whose sharp eyes never miss a trick. When Gabi learns that he's capable of conjuring things much bigger than a chicken--including his dead mother--and she takes it all in stride, Sal knows that she is someone he can work with. There's only one slight problem: their manipulation of time and space could put the entire universe at risk.
A sassy entropy sweeper, a documentary about wedgies, a principal who wears a Venetian bauta mask, and heaping platefuls of Cuban food are just some of the delights that await in this mind-blowing novel gift-wrapped in love and laughter.
Review: This was an insanely cute and fun book! The characters were engaging, the world building was fantastic, and the fantasty elements were rooted in science! I absolutely loved the story and the writing just flowed so well!
If I had to state an issue I had with the book, it was that it took me a bit to get into it, but once I was into it, I was hooked!
Verdict: A great book for kids and adults alike!