Book Review: No Peace With The Dawn by E.B. Wheeler and Jeffery Bateman

No Peace With The Dawn

by

E.B. Wheeler

and 

Jeffery Bateman

 

 Synopis

In 1917, the Great War seems far from Logan, Utah. But soon it will change the lives of suffragette and mechanic Clara, Swiss-German immigrant and LDS convert Trudi, Marine Corps volunteer Reed, and Shoshone seeking U.S. citizenship Joseph. This novel weaves real events with compelling fictional characters into a sweeping tale of war, romance, self-discovery, and sacrifice.

Review:

 

I was pleased to receive an ARC of No Peace With The Dawn from Cedar Fort in exchange for an honest review.

The plot of this war romance quickly turns from lighthearted fun to a lot of deep emotional drama as each of the characters endures their own personal tragities and whitnesses the horrors of war. Each individual was interesting and easy to want to follow: Reed, a college student falls for Clara, a firey young woman that is quick to sacrifice for what she knows is right. Joseph is a Native American during a time when his people are not respected as citizens. He's desperate to prove his worth to his country. There is also Trudi, a Swedish girl who mirror's Joseph's plight.

One of the things that impressed me most, was that even though this book was written by two different authors, the voice and flow are completely streamlined and impossible to distinguish between two different writing styles. As this was my first time reading either of the authors, I completely forgot that the book was co-written.

No Peace With The Dawn was insightful, inspiring, and everything a historical fiction reader looks for. The romantic endeavors are pleasing but not the center of the meaty plot. Your emotions will be tied right along with each character and you will almost feel as though the experiences of war were your own. The ending felt like an exhale of a deep breath, since all of that tragedy does bring good things in the end.

5 stars

  *****  

 Amazon Link

 

 

 

 

Book Review: A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin

A Game of Thrones

(A Song Of Ice And Fire #1)

by 

George R. R. Martin

Synopsis:

Summers span decades. Winter can last a lifetime. And the struggle for the Iron Throne has begun.

As Warden of the north, Lord Eddard Stark counts it a curse when King Robert bestows on him the office of the Hand. His honour weighs him down at court where a true man does what he will, not what he must … and a dead enemy is a thing of beauty.

The old gods have no power in the south, Stark’s family is split and there is treachery at court. Worse, the vengeance-mad heir of the deposed Dragon King has grown to maturity in exile in the Free Cities. He claims the Iron Throne.

Review:

 

So I finally broke down and started the free trial of Audible, and now I'm like six months into the subscription. A Game of Thrones is the first book I downloaded because I've been curious about the book version of my favorite show for years now. I won't get too deep into this review, since so many people have read this book or at least watched this show. Instead I'll compare the first book to the first season of the show.

What was fun for me was watching the corresponding episode after I finished the equivalent of that episode in the book. After doing that, I realized the first season of the show pretty much follows the book. Besides a lot more insight into the character's thoughts and motives, there really weren't many changes or surprises that the show hadn't prepared me for.  The book is long, and also a bit slow, and honestly I'm not sure if I could have tolerated that if I wasn't already in love with these characters from the start. By the end of the book though, I'm positive I would have been hooked even if I hadn't already watched the show.

Throughout this experience, I've really come to appreciate Martin's voice. He writes splendidly in both male and female, young and old characters. He has that gift of revealing information as if you are there experiencing it yourself. And not to mention the world building and plot line. But if you watch the show, you know that already!

If you're already a show fan and looking for a casual book to listen to while you're driving or cleaning the kitchen, you should definitely give it a try. I appreciated that I could be a little distracted by my kid but totally understand what they were talking about once I got back to it. The side by side experience of watching the show and reading the books is incredible, not to mention revisiting your favorite characters that were sent to the chopping block. I'm definitely going to listen to book 2 after the new year. 

5 stars

* * * * * 

Series Review: The Rhodi Saga by Megan Linski

THE RHODI SAGA

                                               

by 

Megan Linski

Today Connie's Bookmark is a stop on the official Rhodi's Saga blog tour. This groundbreaking new series was just released at the beginning of September. They are all now available to purchase in both print and ebook. I've already had the pleasure of reading them in advance. Here are my thoughts on each book.

 

 

BOOK ONE

Synopsis:

Flight. Hyperspeed. Clairvoyance.

These are some of the powers gifted to the Rhodi, an ancient sect of assassins who defend Crescentia, a dystopian world with a dying hope.

Dyliana Fairsson is one of them. After losing her parents to a suspicious accident, she and her twin brother, Devin, join the Rhodi to avoid starvation. Under the direction of her master, Dylan struggles to learn the strength of her magic …as well as hide the growing scars on her wrists. Can Dylan become the warrior, the hero, she’s destined to be? Or is she fated to fall from the light into the darkness?

The first installment in the epic fantasy series by bestselling author Megan Linski, Rhodi’s Light is an action-packed thrill ride that will leave readers begging for more.

Review:

 

I was really anticipating this series because Megan Linski has earned herself a spot on my favorite authors list ever since her Arabian fantasy "Kingdom From Ashes". This new series doesn't seem to be much like that at all in terms of tone, setting, and era. The overall "feel" of the setting and characters, with their dormant magic and dark pasts, reminds me of a modern Final Fantasy universe. (think FF13-2 or 3) I definitely felt nostalgic all throughout reading it and I'm DYING to play FF now!

But anyway, the first installment in the Rhodi's Saga has good qualities, as well as a few things I hope improve with the next book. For example, Linski puts us in a very unique, yet somehow familiar world, with out the reader getting to explore much of it. And I don't mean like they didn't go anywhere. It's just that I would have liked to have known more about culture a little about the people in the background, not just the handful of characters we get to interact with. The Rhodi are another thing. Their history is very intriguing, but they're so secretive, no one knows who they are. So I didn't really understand why they mattered to the Hunter's Guild so much. Or why they continued even after their numbers nearly died out.

But speaking of characters, Linski doesn't fail to make great ones. The main characters, Dylan and Devin, who are twins, felt very realistic since they were close, but not presented as carbon copies of each others mind, body, and spirit, like so much of media would have us believe. The two definitely had different personalities and that was very refreshing. Dylan has a darkness in her. One she's trying to overcome. I think that's something we all can appreciate. But don't worry, there's no shortage of comic relief with the teens and their quirky friends. It didn't take long for me to fall in love with Taladin's soft heart and the other characters all got my attention, too. The villains didn't really get fleshed out until the end and even though they were the main problem, I felt their influence was lacking throughout the story. But at the end of book one, it's clear what the villain's motives are.

Overall this book just felt like the introduction to something bigger. There are still questions to be answered. Still places that need to be filled in on my mental map. There are definitely still things the Rhodi need to do and I'm tagging along for the ride.

4 Stars

* * * * 

BOOK TWO

 

 

 Synopsis:

 

 Forced into hiding.
Desperate to find their masters.

In the past few months since the attack on their home, twin assassins Dylan and Devin have grown restless. With the Rhodi facing extinction, they search for their masters Talidin and Tavana, only to discover they’ve gone missing. With nowhere to turn, the twins seek help from a pair of mysterious spies, only to find the trail gone cold, marked by hints of torture and destruction.

Dylan and Devin piece together the events that led to the disappearance of their fellow Rhodi. As their enemies close in for the kill, Dylan discovers that some things are impossible for a Rhodi…but not for a tigress.

The stakes and romance are heightened in this epic dystopian sequel to Rhodi’s Light. Bestselling author Megan Linski brings readers a young adult fantasy with magic, mystery, and an epic adventure that races quickly to a breathless conclusion.

Review:

 

I was much more enchanted with "Rhodi Rising" than I was the first book. The story was set at a much quicker pace and the action came out of nowhere! One minute, they would be just hanging out, doing what teenagers do, and the next something would attack and there would be Crafts and shapeshifting all over the place!

We get to explore a new country, as well as learn more about the original one. I especially enjoyed the Celtic theme of Dunedinne and the characters that were introduced there. They were a fresh, comic relief, as well as devices of strong character development for our girl Dylan. A bit of romance is what "Rhodi's Light" lacked and "Rising" makes up for it.

The ending came with a twist I wasn't expecting, which is always much appreciated. The book sets everything up for the (what I hear is) epic conclusion, but stands on it's own with page turning plot and lots of action and adventure.  

5 Stars

* * * *

BOOK THREE

 

Synopsis

Cities burn.
Governments fall.
Lives are lost in a desperate war...one the Rhodi are losing.

The world has been devastated by the tyranny of the Red Huntress. To save Crescentia, Dylan and Devin attempt to decipher the mystery of the ancient letter their ancestors left behind, the only hope of salvation for their kind. Dylan continues to fight foes both on the battlefield and within her own mind, all while wrestling with the confused feelings she has for Enfys, the alluring spy who has become devoted to her cause.

In the epic conclusion to the thrilling Rhodi Saga, one brave warrior will stand in the way of corruption, to take place before her destiny…or her death.

Rhodi’s Lullaby is the third installment in the suspenseful young adult dystopian series fans and critics are calling an original masterpiece in the epic fantasy genre.

Review:

 

It's really hard for me to write a review on the third book in the series since it's almost impossible for me to not hand out spoilers, so in case you haven't read this book yet, I would skip this review.

When I'd started this series I had originally said that it reminded me of a modern final fantasy game. Not so much any more, since the setting is more fleshed out in the third book and we have a better sense of the of the environment. That said, the world is holding onto it's own now and feels much more original.

The third installment in the story opens with the cast preparing for a wedding, which is nice, since the story has been a bit dark so far. But it's clear with the impending war and tensions in the crowded house rising that things are about to get a bit chaotic. Especially when an antagonist quickly decides to change sides. Not everyone is agreeable to the change.

My favorite part about this book was actually more of a side story. Devin and Nellie's tragic love story carried me through the pages and was more emotional for me than anything in this book chuck full of feels. I appreciated how almost every single character went through their own struggles and journey, (probably why the darn thing was so long) but I happened to enjoy Devin and Nellie's the most.

The ending was satisfying, giving the readers a very unexpected twist and fulfilling conclusion. I felt like it wrapped up the other two books nicely. 

All of that said, it did take me quite a long time to get through this one. Granted, like 90% of the planet's population, I'm super busy and have little time for books. But when I really gravitate towards a story, there's no stopping me on finishing it. I've had that happen with several other of Megan Linksi's books. Just not this series so much. It was a bit slow, and I just didn't connect with many of the characters like in her previous books. By the third book, I figured out that it was the voice, which is so important to me. Her voice doesn't flow in third person the way it does in first person or passive.

None of that is enough for me to give up on one of my favorite authors though. She has a vampire/werewolf series coming out next year, which normally isn't my thing, but there is an added element of an Anastasia retelling which I just can't resist. I hear it's first person too, so my hopes are high. 

4 stars

* * * *

 

Book Review: The Sin Eater's Daughter by Melinda Salisbury

The Sin Eater's Daughter

by 

Melinda Salisbury

Synopsis

A startling, seductive, deliciously dark debut that will shatter your definition of YA fantasy. Sixteen-year-old Twylla lives in the castle. But although she's engaged to the prince, no one speaks to her. No one even looks at her. Because Twylla isn't a member of the court. She's the executioner.As the goddess-embodied, Twylla kills with a single touch. So each week, she's taken to the prison and forced to lay her hands on those accused of treason. No one will ever love her. Who could care for a girl with murder in her veins? Even the prince, whose royal blood supposedly makes him immune to her touch, avoids her.But then a new guard arrives, a boy whose playful smile belies his deadly swordsmanship. And unlike the others, he's able to look past Twylla's executioner robes and see the girl, not the goddess. Yet a treasonous romance is the least of Twylla's problems. The queen has a plan to destroy her enemies-a plan that requires an unthinkable sacrifice. Will Twylla do what it takes to protect her kingdom? Or will she abandon her duty in favor of a doomed love?

Review

This book has been on my TBR ever since I saw the cover and read the blurb. Unfortunately I read a not so great review from one of my favorite reviewers, so that discouraged me a bit. I still had it on my Goodreads list, so I got an email when a giveaway was happening. I won! I received an autographed hardcover copy in the mail and I'm SOOO happy that I had the opportunity to read it.

Although this story takes place in a faraway kingdom long ago, (my favorite setting) it took awhile to get going. There was just enough intrigue to keep me turning the pages, however a good chunk of the book was gone before it felt like the story was getting somewhere. And I can't quite put my finger on it, but the beginning also seemed a little dark for me and kind of left a bad taste in my mouth. Not because of the story or the writing. Both were fantastic. I just kind of felt gloomy after I'd close the book. Also, just a side note, it also felt like the story couldn't decide if it wanted to have a supernatural element or not. One minute, gods and magic exist, the next they don't, wait yes they do...maybe? Oh, but this other magic is definitely legit. I was confused, but maybe that was okay because so was the main character.

I almost quit. But I could tell something was brewing and I wanted to be a part of it. Once the story got going and I got used to the world, it didn't feel weird anymore. I loved the intricate plot and how all those little things that didn't seem to mean anything all came back in the end. After the rocky beginning, I was surprised by how much I thought about the book during the day and couldn't wait to get home to read it.

The Sin Eater's Daughter is full of shock and is the perfect hopeless romance. I finished the book last night and immediately added The Sleeping Prince to my TBR and Christmas list. If you love unique magic, castle drama, and don't mind a slow start, definitely give this a try.

 4 Stars

* * * * 

Book Review: The Witch's Curse, by Megan Linski

The Witch's Curse

by 

Megan Linski 

 

 

Synopsis:

"The scream of a dying girl was the singular sound that changed my life, forever."

When Briar enters the Eldermere Woods alone, she never could've imagined the danger that awaited her there. As a young witch, she's sought by hunters who desire her blood, a group of radicals who wish to eliminate all magical creatures. When Briar discovers a fellow witch slaughtered in the forest, her boring afternoon is changed into a fight for her life.

With the help of her dragon shifter love, Thomas, Briar must find a way to stop the witch hunters from destroying her town of Thorny Brook. But is her magic strong enough to defeat her most dangerous enemies? Full of danger, fantasy, and fun, THE WITCH'S CURSE is another thrilling installment by bestselling author Megan Linski.

Review:

 

 
You may have noticed that I read a ton of Megan Linski. Well that's true.
1. Because she's amazing.
2. She writes like 12 books a year.
3. She usually lets me read her stuff for free in advance for only the promise that I will review it. 

But everyone can get this little novella for FREE by signing up for Megan's VIP list! Trust me, it's worth it. ;)

This was a fantastic little read (only about an hour long) that just left me wanting more. I really hope Linski decides to make this a series of novellas.

The world building is excellent, especially since it is crafted in such a short amount of words. From the cover, I thought it was set in modern times, but it's clear as you read on that this takes place in a medieval village of sorts. The small town is made up of witches, shape shifting dragons, normal villagers, and those who oppose magic all together. Briar, a young witch, has to hunt down her peer's murderer in order to keep her peaceful town safe. Great stuff. I really hope I get to read more.

Again, the only way to read this mini novella by signing up for Megan Linski's VIP list at her website www.meganlinski.com 

5 Stars

* * * * * 

 

 

Book Review: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Thorns and Roses

by 

Sarah J. Maas

Synopsis

 

She stole a life. Now she must pay with her heart.

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she knows about only from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow over the faerie lands is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

Review

 

Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite fairytales to be retold, so this book has been on my TBR for a while. When a reviewer said that fans of A Court of Thorns and Roses would like my book, it moved to the top of my list. Just for the record, if you like ACOTAR, you might like my book, but strictly speaking, ACOTAR is better. :)

This book had me from the first page and I couldn't put it down. It was the perfect setting for me, an old mystical world with magical secrets and lots of cottages and castles. The writing and narrative were top notch, revealing just enough information at just the right time.

The world building was fantastic. Right away you could tell that the more beautiful things were, the more dangerous they were. I absolutely love Maas's interpretation of Beauty and the Beast. She was able to provide the nostalgia of the classic fairytale, with a darkness appropriate for the adults fans have grown into. And she managed to do it while removing most of the Stockholm Syndrome vibe. To warn more conservative and sensitive readers, the book is steamy at times and I feel not appropriate for younger teens.

But can we talk about Feyre for a second? I went back and forth on her, not ever really deciding if I liked her or not. It was as if the author took Katniss out of the Hunger Games, gave her a bit more of an attitude, and dropped her in a fairytale. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate a strong, independent female protagonist, but she just seemed really negative about a lot of stuff. One thing I didn't like about the plot is that she would make dumb decisions, or deliberately do what the other characters told her not to do, just so terrible things would happen that moved the story along. Despite the fact that I liked the story and the twists, that tactic felt cheap.

The other characters were very well rounded out. At times I didn't know who to love, and who to be afraid of. Especially Lucien. I heart Lucien. Stay away. He is mine.

I simply must read the next book. Trouble is, since I read this one in paperback, my mighty principles tell me I must wait until A Court of Mist and Fury is out in paperback next spring. This is truly a dilemma. 

4.5 stars

****'

Book Review: The Time Key by Melanie Bateman

The Time Key

By 

Melanie Bateman

Synopsis:

SHADOWS THAT MOVE ON THEIR own, a mysterious device that looks like a pocket watch, a man on the run from monsters that exist in dreams—all are connected to Stanley because he interrupted a mugging. Now Stanley holds the Time Key, an object that allows him to travel through time. With the extraordinary gift of being able to see both the past and the future, he may be the only one who can save his family.

  

Review:

I have to say this book was partially a cover buy. I love historical fiction, but the cover sealed the deal. In a way, I thought this story set in late 1800s London would fill my "Downton Abbey" void, but The Time Key was so surprising and took me in so many directions I did not expect. Not only is it historical fiction, but also a time traveling fantasy enriched with a wide spectrum of characters and emotional depth.

I don't like books that pull out all the stops to try to make me cry. But The Time Key didn't. The author simply presented the characters as they are and the hardships they deal with and I ended up crying on my own. I really felt connected to Stanley and his desperation to try anything to just get his family back. I felt all of his emotions right along with him and was determined to see him through to the end.


I also really appreciate the aspect of fantasy in this book. The Time Key is based in old London, but suggests the universe is much bigger than we imagine with different realms and races. I'm not sure what the author has planned for her next book but I hope she writes another book centered around Lena, a tiny tree dwelling, human like creature trapped far away from her enchanted home. I want to explore more of the world that Bateman only gives us glimpses of.

 Probably the only problem I had with this book, was a personal pet-peeve of mine. The book is written in third person, however, instead of staying silent and letting the reader soak in the story, the flow is periodically interrupted by the unidentified narrator directly addressing the reader. You don't know anything about the narrator until the very end of the story so it's very difficult to connect to "them". This drove me bonkers, as it always does. It's probably not a problem for most people, but its just a "no no" for me.

For those of you craving a certain level of romance in books, you won't find much of that here. Except for Stanley's enduring devotion for his wife even so many years after her death. Falling in love isn't what this book is about. Instead, it focuses more on regaining that love once it is lost forever. Definitely a recommended read from me.

4.5 Stars

* * * * * 

 

Book Review: Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard

Synopsis

Mare Barrow’s blood is red—the color of common folk—but her Silver ability, the power to control lightning, has turned her into a weapon that the royal court tries to control.

The crown calls her an impossibility, a fake, but as she makes her escape from Maven, the prince—the friend—who betrayed her, Mare uncovers something startling: she is not the only one of her kind.

Pursued by Maven, now a vindictive king, Mare sets out to find and recruit other Red-and-Silver fighters to join in the struggle against her oppressors.

But Mare finds herself on a deadly path, at risk of becoming exactly the kind of monster she is trying to defeat.

Will she shatter under the weight of the lives that are the cost of rebellion? Or have treachery and betrayal hardened her forever?

The electrifying next installment in the Red Queen series escalates the struggle between the growing rebel army and the blood-segregated world they’ve always known—and pits Mare against the darkness that has grown in her soul.

Review

 

Despite it not being what I expected, I enjoyed Red Queen enough to add the next book Glass Sword to my birthday list. It wasn't one I wanted to rush out and buy, but one I was looking forward to reading.  

Overall, this sequel was quite a disappointment. Aveyard's usual turn of phrase which I adored in the last book, was spaced few and far between. The whole rebel military unit setting was not my particular cup of cocoa, but what really bothered me most was that Glass Sword was like reading an alternate version of Mocking Jay; all the melodrama and self loathing without any of the good parts. Mare was frustratingly negative, winy, cowardly, cold, and harsh through the entire book. It was like dealing with Katniss on the brink of her breaking point all over again.

Here's the difference though-I actually liked Katniss. Sure she was over dramatic and a pain in the rear all through book three, but it had taken two whole great books to get there. I felt like she and I had been through more than what I had witnessed with Mare. Because of that I was able to deal with Katniss's suicidal mind set much easier. I guess Mare and I don't click. And I guess that's the real reason I didn't like Glass Sword. It all takes place through Mare's POV and most of the story is told through her jaded thoughts and opinions. There were times I just wanted her to shut up and let the actual story happen.

What saved this book for me was the ending, which was pretty good, it just took way to long to get there. Before I read the ending, I was convinced I wasn't going to pick up the next book. But alas, I feel bad just leaving things where they ended so I'd like to know what happens next. Regardless, the third book is not high on my priority list. 

2.5 stars

* * `

 

Hidden Series Review

Book One

Synopsis

  “The Chameleon is on the loose.” Despite the whispers that sprung up, the Speaker continued, “He’s stealing our masks and assuming the identities of the victims. It is our duty to warn you—do not trust the masks alone.”

In Venesia, your mask is your life. It is your face, your rank, and your identity. Without a mask, you are nothing.

Which makes the Chameleon the most dangerous criminal in the land.

When the Chameleon attacks the talented mask maker Evie, he not only strips away Evie’s mask, destroys her home, and kills her father, but he also brands her face with his own criminal mark that would incriminate her for his wrongdoings should it be discovered. Her only choice is to go into hiding—at the royal palace. But as she creates a new identity —and plans to exact revenge— Evie soon learns that masks hide more than just faces ...Unmask the secrets that Venesia holds in this unique and romantic spin on the classic tale of Cinderella. 

Review

This is one of those books that I just wanted to fall into. Such a beautiful world and fun concept! I didn't really catch the Cinderella theme until the closer to the end, but that was fine. There was enough going on and intrigue that I didn't really care. If allowed, I would give this 4.5 stars because it was soooo close to perfect. (for me)One solution seemed too easy and I think I figured out the twists before the reader was supposed to. But I'm not sure on one because the secret becomes pretty obvious as the book goes on. Perhaps my reader revelation was intentional, and the real suspense comes from the MC's reaction. But I should shut up now...

Gorgeous world, delightful voice, chemistry and bond between characters, frills and masquerades, everything I like in my YA fiction. :) I hope I get the next book for Christmas!

4 stars

* * * *

Book Two

 

 

Synopsis:

Angry at his failure to exact vengeance on the prince, mask maker Joch flees Venesia to find his lost love. When a red-cloaked assassin promises answers, he has little choice but to trust her-though he may be walking into a trap. Unravel the deception in this dazzling story of second chances that will keep you guessing to the last page.

Review:

What is Lost was surprisingly my favorite in the series. When I read the synopsis I wasn't too thrilled about reading an entire book about the antagonist of book one. But the author did a great job with What is Hidden, so I figured she knew what she was doing. Turns out, she's great at writing male POV. I was captivated from the first chapter. This book is full of page turning chases, intrigue, and daggers at the throat moments.

While Joch wasn't someone I added to my list of book boyfriends, he was a very complex character. He had a few more flaws than saving graces, but the author illustrated each aspect in a "This is who Joch is. He is not perfect. Take it as it is" kind of attitude and I really respected it. I loved following him along on his road to redemption and his interactions with the other characters were brilliant. Kit his perfect companion. I loved their bitter banter and the slow kinship that developed between them.

Unlike What is Hidden, I never saw the plot twists coming. I was completely shocked by the ending. So much so, that I just sat the book down for a second and laid there with my mouth open staring at the ceiling. I can't tell you how much I appreciate that kind of an ending in a book.

What is Hidden is great, but What is Lost is what makes the series worth the read. 

5 stars

* * * * *

Book Three

Synopsis

Princess Bianca returns to her court to find it poisoned from the inside out. Faced with mysterious sicknesses, power disputes, and whispers of impending death, Bianca turns to an unlikely ally—a former assassin—to find the antidote that will save her kingdom. But Bianca quickly realizes that she might not even be able to save her own life in this Snow White story.

Review

Upon seeing the cover for The Fairest Poison, I was confused as to whether or not it was a continuation in the Hidden Series, especially since it didn't follow the "What is" title theme. It definitely is, following Princess Bianca that was briefly mention in book one and introduced in book two. If you read my interview with Lauren Skidmore, you will find out that the publisher was intending to market The Fairest Poison as a standalone, therefore making the title and cover different from the rest of the series. Fun fact: The original title for book three was What is Found.

I went into this book with high hopes because I really enjoyed the first two. I'll admit, I was a little let down. On paper, The Fairest Poison had great stuff I love to see in books: castles and courts, royals, romance, scandals, and danger. But for me, it just didn't all come together like I expected it too. Maybe because Evie wasn't in it nearly as much as I had hoped. Bianca was nice enough but I just never felt a connection to her like I did in book two. There wasn't as much story driven action as the previous books and it felt a little slow moving. Perhaps that's partly because due to the title, I knew she was going to get poisoned eventually, also as this is a snow white theme. But there were few twists and less surprises than the first two.

It was a still a fun, quick read. I imagine that if I had read this in the days before I was married with a child, I could have finished the whole thing in one rainy afternoon. The ending was sweet and satisfying and I felt like I had said a proper goodbye to the characters. I think if I had just read The Fairest Poison as a stand alone I would have liked it a lot better, having not compared it to the first two. But that's not my recommendation at all. The characters and the history of this world are too rich to just skip to the ending. If you haven't already, definitely pick up What is Hidden.

3.5 stars

* * * * 

 

Book Review: The Buckskin Trail by Joann Arnold

The Buckskin Trail

by 

Joann

Arnold

Synopsis

 

“This is what my parents died for?” Kelzi whispered, looking at the battered buckskin.
Ahyoka nodded. “And now you must take it with you and protect it.”

A miracle saved Kelzi’s life when she was younger, now it’s her turn to save others. When Kelzi discovers the truth about her parents' deaths, she steps onto a dangerous path, one where she must avenge those who have died and protect the land of her Cherokee people—at any cost.

Review

 

I signed up for the blog tour for The Buckskin Trail because the cover and blurb made it sound like a wilderness adventure. I hadn't read anything like that for a while and it seemed fun.

Unfortunately, I was mistaken. Although there are a few beautiful scenes with nature as the backdrop, most of this drama takes place in a courtroom and lawyer's offices. While that's not at all my cup of cocoa, The Buckskin Trail did have it's merits. Right from the beginning I could tell this story was written by an educated, seasoned writer. The opening scene was gripping and kept me going for quite a while. The plot was slow at times, but right as I would be getting bored, something tragic or shocking would happen. One of the best characters was a Scottish spirit that guides our heroine through some rough patches. His dialogue is written to be true to the accent, so unless you've read Outlander, you may have a hard time understanding him at times. But he's cute, and I really enjoyed reading about him. 

I also loved the message of this book. The author brought across a certain spirituality without being to preachy, which I find is hard to do. I just wish this book had more adventure of the nature variety. I wanted to see more of the Cherokee culture incorporated into the story. And for that reason, I didn't enjoy this book as much as I thought I would, but, it's still a good book - especially if you love courtroom dramas and Hallmark movies. :)

3 stars

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Book Review: Queen of Always by Sherry D. Ficklin

Queen of Always

(Stolen Empire #3)

by 

Sherry D. Ficklin

Synopsis

 

If her time at court has taught Catherine anything, it's that there is no room for weakness in Imperial Russia. With the Empress' health failing and rumors of a change in the line of succession, her place in the royal line is once more in jeopardy. Tormented by her sadistic husband and his venomous mistress, Catherine must once more walk the fine line between pleasure and politics―between scandal and survival.

When her young son becomes the target of those rebelling against Peter's reign, Catherine will have to rise up to protect herself, her child, and her nation from his unstable and potentially catastrophic rule. This means putting herself at odds with the most dangerous man she's ever known, trusting those who once proved to be her enemies, and turning a nation against its sovereign. In the ultimate battle for the crown, new alliances will be forged, loyalties will be tested, and blood will be shed.
Don't miss this breathtaking conclusion to the Stolen Empire series!

Review 

 

I was so happy to get the third paperback for my birthday. I needed to finish up this series because after my Bestie finished all three books in a week, she's been badgering to talk to me about the third one.

Stuff gets real in the third installment of the Stolen Empire series. This is definitely not one for more sensitive readers. The steamy romance is taken to a level I never expected and is also shadowed by domestic abuse - something I can only tolerate because of the culture of the time period and setting, and because our heroine eventually comes out on top. Bestie and I both felt like the heightened sensuality was unnecessary and took away a bit from what we loved about this series in the first place; the spectacular story and writing.

I can't say I agree with everything Catherine does, or the choices she's forced to make. But it's through those choices that she becomes the strong heroine that she is. Because she's hardened so much, I don't feel a kinship to her that I did in the last two books, or that I've found with other characters. I don't feel like I would be her best friend in real life, but I definitely would be one of her trusted ladies that keeps all of her scandalous secrets.

Queen of Always wasn't my favorite in the series, but I wouldn't have missed it for the world. I'm glad I got to get up close and personal with all the drama that is Catherine's train wreck of a life. The ending was tragically beautiful. More bitter than sweet, but complete and leaving me sad that it was all over. I especially liked the letter to her children slipped into the epilogue. Overall, the Stolen Empire series is rich and elegant, and I highly recommend it if you want to really connect with a story.

 4 stars

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Book Review: The Last Night by Heather Kirchhoff

The Last Night

by 

Heather Kirchhoff

Description

After Sarah Hill's boyfriend dies, everything changes. Caught up in her grief and desire to see him again, Sarah is challenged in moving on. She's sucked back into the world Sarah was in before they started dating-being invisible, bullied. She slowly begins to pull away from everyone, unable to do it anymore. Then one day her reality comes crashing down all around her, pushing Sarah to the edge...

Review

 

I received a free ecopy of this book for participating in the blog tour. It was a really quick read and I read it in about 3 days (which is really rare for me)

Holy cow, the feels in this book. I knew that going in, but it was still heart wrenching. The reader is dumped right into the lap of Sarah's grief right after her boyfriend commits suicide. Her family doesn't seem very supportive either. For awhile, it looks like the only person who truly understands is her kid brother, which made me tear up a bit. 

I'll warn you, the subject matter in this gets a little dark and if you don't take the book in the right context it can be kind of a downer at times. But I honestly think Sarah goes through some feelings that cross through a lot of people at one point or another in their lives. She doesn't deal with them perfectly, but this is a beautiful story if you like to read about someone overcoming tragedy. It's a little slow (as is the norm with this genre) and it will make you sad and even angry sometimes, but the ending leaves you with a nice surprise. 

4 stars

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Book Review: Queen of Tomorrow by Sherry D. Ficklin

Queen of Tomorrow

(Stolen Empire Series #2)

by 

Sherry D. Ficklin

 

Synopsis

 

Sophie―now Catherine, Grand Duchess of Russia―had a tough first year at Imperial Court. Married at sixteen to Grand Duke Peter, heir to the throne, and settled in their own palace, things start to look up. As a new day dawns, Catherine thinks only of securing her future, and the future of their country, during one of the greatest political upheavals of her time. Fighting desperately against forces that try to depose the Empress Elizabeth and put the young Prince Ivan on her throne, Catherine soon finds herself in the middle of a war brewing between her beloved Prussia and her new empire. While navigating the fragile political landscape, she quickly realizes that she has only begun to discover the tangled web of deceit and infidelity woven over the lavish court of Oranienbaum Palace.

When a strange and delicate alliance forms between the young couple, Catherine glimpses a future of happiness, only to see it vanish at the hands of those who still seek to end her life―and prevent her reign. Out of favor with the empress and running out of options, Catherine must sacrifice her own innocence on the altar of Russia if she is to save the nation and herself. To survive, she will have to do the unthinkable, betray those closest to her and become something greater and more dangerous than she ever imagined she could be… a queen.

Review

I became obsessed with this series while reading Queen of Someday, which you can get get for free in the Kindle store. I got the paperback of Queen of Tomorrow for Christmas and I started it right away. (I actually finished the book weeks ago, but because I've had to focus on hitting my editing deadline, I've had zero time or motivation for reviews...or for anything else. Hopefully things will go back to a normal pace next week.)

Book #2 has all of the intrigue, history, and romance that I loved about the first one. Things were a little different this time around though. Peter's wrath gets more intense and there's some pretty dark stuff that readers will have to deal with. The story takes you back and forth between two castles and courts. I was surprised to find out I didn't want to leave Winter Palace as much. After reading the first book, it kind of felt like home.

There is great character development for our dear little Sophie. After the heartbreaking events in Queen of Someday, she is certainly hardened. She has a lot of tough decisions to make and there isn't always a "right one". After she is finally pushed to her breaking point, she resolves to do something I don't think anyone saw coming.

Ficklin's story telling is beautiful and brilliant, as always, and I didn't want this book to end. I think the only real problem I have with these books is that they're too short! I'm definitely getting the conclusion, Queen of Always, soon, so catch up to me and watch out for the review!

5 stars   

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Book Review: Hidden Deep by Amy Patrick

Hidden Deep

(The Hidden Trilogy #1)

by 

Amy Patrick 

 

 

Synopsis 

 

He isn't supposed to even talk to a human, much less fall in love with one...

Sixteen-year-old Ryann Carroll has just run into the guy who saved her life ten years ago. You might think she'd be happy to see him again. Not exactly. She's a bit underdressed (as in skinny-dipping) and he's not supposed to exist.

After her father's affair, all Ryann wants is to escape the family implosion fallout and find a little peace. She also wouldn't mind a first date that didn't suck, but she's determined not to end up like her mom: vulnerable, betrayed, destroyed. Ryann's just moved into her grandma's house in rural Mississippi, the same place where ten years earlier she became lost in the woods overnight and nearly died.

She's still irresistibly drawn to those woods. There she encounters the boy who kept her from freezing to death that long ago winter night and was nowhere to be seen when rescuers arrived. He's still mysterious, but now all grown-up and gorgeous, too. And the more she's with him, the greater the threat he poses to Ryann's strict policy-- never want someone more than he wants you.

Seventeen-year-old Lad knows the law of his people all too well: Don't get careless and Don't get caught.
It's allowed his race to live undetected in this world for thousands of years, mentioned only in flawed and fading folklore. Lad's never been able to forget about Ryann since that night ten years ago. When he sees her again, his fascination re-ignites and becomes a growing desire that tempts him to break all the rules. He's not even supposed to talk to a human, much less fall in love with one.

And the timing is atrocious. The Assemblage is coming, the rift between the Light and Dark is widening. Lad may have to trade his own chance at happiness to keep the humans, especially Ryann, blissfully ignorant and safe. 

Review

 

 

I'd seen this book around a few times so when I found out it had gone perma-free I decided to take a chance on it. 

I'm glad I did. I was very surprised by how much I got into the secret world that the author develops. I can't say much without giving away a huge reveal, but the way she wraps fantasy with reality, and even human history and today's fame crazed culture, was extremely clever. There was always something pulling me through the pages. I had to know this boy's secrets. I think I was as curious as Ryann was! And when the truth finally came out, I was blown away! (Why didn't I think of that?)

The first 1/4 of the book dragged a bit as it set up the characters and the love triangle. Let me get something straight. I don't hate love triangles. In fact, I don't know why they are so widely hated. I want a good romance as much as anyone. But I wasn't convinced by this romantic standoff. I didn't particularly like either of the beaus and one just completely infuriated me. Ryann and one guy seemed to just be destined for each other, while the other just seemed to get in the way. That aspect of the story is not what did it for me.

The twists were interesting, though I called them pretty quickly. (I never used to do that. I think I'm just developing a talent.) Despite that, it was well crafted story that had a lot of originality. The writing flowed very well, keeping me interested and making it a quick read. As I said before, I loved the culture put into the secret world, and the mythos behind everything was pure genius. I want more of that world and I have to find out what happens next, so I definitely added this series to my list.

4 stars

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Book Review: Playing With Fire by Sherry D. Ficklin

Playing With Fire

by 

Sherry D. Ficklin

Synopsis

 

 

One brilliant young hacker. 

One experimental government aircraft. 

One chance to keep it all from going up in flames. 

Still recovering from her troubled past, Farris is no stranger to change. But when the military transfers her father across the country to an experimental aircraft squadron, settling in to a new life is the least of her problems. As a series of apparent computer glitches threaten the security of the fleet and the blame falls on her father, she decides to put her computer skills to use digging up the truth. Soon she's drawn into the perilous world of a hacker who is determined to ground the fleet--at any cost.

When all signs lead to someone close to her as the mastermind, Farris will have to burn more than bridges to get to the truth. She will have to risk her fragile new life to uncover the identity of the cyber criminal before they can escalate from harmless tampering... to all out murder.

Review

 

 

I was absolutely enchanted with Sherry D. Ficklin's historical romance Queen of Someday. Check out my review. When I found the first book in her #HACKERS series was also free, I had to check it out. 

I was pleasantly surprised with Playing With Fire. It's been awhile since something in the contemporary genre has really grabbed me. I haven't ever read a teen book that takes place on a military base so the novelty of that was intriguing, as I'm not at all familiar with that lifestyle. I was really impressed by the technical jargon but also relieved that it was all worded in a way that someone like me, who's head is consumed in a fantasy world, can understand. Sort of, anyway. I think I understood it. Something about digital portals and codes, and stuff. Either way, it made sense enough for me to follow the plot and Ferris's clever line of thought. The voice of the story was everything I've come to expect from Ficklin after reading Queen of Someday. Even though the genre could not be more different, she did not disappoint.

Military brat Ferris is a typical outcast as it comes with her calling, but the author made sure to round out her character with just the right amount of punk and girlishness. Instead of scoffing at the prospect trading in her Vans for homecoming heels, she embraced her inner princess and does a great job at being the social butterfly, which I haven't seen a lot of lately with teen rebels. I hope this means rebel and girly are starting to get along again.

I'm not really sure if what I didn't like about the book would bother very many other people. Some of the language was a bit too colorful and too frequent for me. The actual story and conflict took a long time to get going. Too much of your basic high school drama between characters and not enough intrigue and hacker hi-jinks. If it wasn't for Sherry D. Ficklin's voice that I love, I might have put it down for a bit. Thankfully, at the exact line I was thinking, I'm a little bored, things picked up immediately. The pace from there was excellent.

There's a great love triangle to follow. I personally was rooting for the guy that turned out to be a jerk-face, but I think that testifies of Ficklin's storytelling. She doesn't always follow the rules. Most of the rest of the characters are interesting enough to care about and I'm looking forward to getting more of their stories in the sequels. I'll definitely be reading the next book, partly because I won it in a Facebook giveaway! (I'm telling you, it really pays to follow your favorite authors) But honestly, I would have read the next book In Too Deep, anyway.    

4 Stars

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