Tag Archive: fantasy


Review: Visible


Visible
Visible by Cidney Swanson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Well, that’s sad. I am officially out of Cidney Swanson books to read. This was such a fun romp. After finishing all the Saving Mars I could find, I decided to read this fourth book of the Rippler series. This one was from the best friend, Gwen’s point of view. That caught me off guard at first. I hadn’t read the rest of the series for a while so I felt I missed something. But after reading reviews and blurbs I finally got back on track and enjoyed the rest of the book.

This story is more fantasy, though, I suppose there is an element of science here, it felt much more the fairy-tale. In fact, you will find a few fairy-tales retold in this book that were very apropos to the plot and characters. Speaking of plot and characters, Ms. Swanson did her usual believable, lovable characters in an enchanting, exciting story.

For me, Visible wasn’t as fun as the space sci-fi of Mars, but the Rippler series does offer enough adventure to help me ease back to other books and stories. Visible is aimed at young adult. Saving Mars didn’t feel dedicated to one group or another. Oh, and though there wasn’t a cliffhanger and all plot strings were clean up, there was enough left that should she decide to, Cidney could write more to this series. I look forward to reading more!

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A Story of River
A Story of River by Lana Axe
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I am one of the few people that finds Lord of the Rings to be the most boring, male chauvinist books around. So I have to say, that if you like LotR you might like this. I found myself wanting to read other books. I had a hard time liking any of the characters. The one I did like? Well, I think the author didn’t know what to do with that character. Too bad. She was the only female that wasn’t arm candy.

The last few chapters of the book were engaging but had I not felt I needed to read this, I wouldn’t have gotten that far. I hate to give such a mediocre review. It was free for an honest review so I felt I should. But like I said above, there are a lot of male nerds and geeks that would love this and want it to be a video game they could play in their mother’s basement. Bad Dar, snark much?

Oh, I did like the dryads and River, too bad the story didn’t surround those instead of evil and war. Meh.

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Review: Sacerdos


Sacerdos
Sacerdos by Elizabeth Amisu
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Elizabeth Amisu has created a new world, similar to our own, but futuristic while encompassing old world beliefs.

I wouldn’t call Sacerdos a sci-fi but it feels like it at times. Mystery, though? Not cloak and dagger, gum-shoe type. What I have come away from this first book with, is the mysteries are the questions about this world and the main character, Caelara Lessien Teneo’s life and new found abilities. On that line, I would call this a fantasy. It is similar yet different from other young-adult fantasies I have read.

Before I get into the nitty-gritties, I do think young-adults who love fantasy will love this book. When it becomes available again, I think many of my issues will have been resolved. I may have become jaded on the YA fantasy genre. Please take that into account. Do notice that I did still give the book four stars. Much of that was for world and character development. Well done!

There were many errors, typos, etc. But the story held true no matter what; it kept me reading. There were many boring parts that had me questioning which book I should be reading instead. But again, I had grown to care about the main character enough so that I wanted to see what would happen next. There was war, and bullies. If you think it is bad going to one school with bullies you are snatched away for a time of R&R to another, colder school with wool blankets and more bullies. And more war. All that fighting wore on me. And though the book didn’t end on a true cliffhanger, I made sure that the next book is ready for me when I can read it. So, um, yeah. Almost excellent.

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The Descent Series: Vol.1
The Descent Series: Vol.1 by S.M. Reine
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sometimes when you read something that doesn’t work, you have to put it aside and come back with fresh eyes. That is what I had to do with this series. The first time I tried to read it I found myself getting messed up with the dates and years. This is where a tree book would have solved my problem quickly. But with the Kindle flipping through pages to see the beginnings of each chapter messes with the ability to sync between apps. So I let it go and started this again a couple days ago. I still had that date issue but plowed on through and–wow! I was glad I did! Turns out that things resolve themselves so that you can figure out if it is in the past or present moment. So don’t worry about it.

Okay. If anyone knows me, they know I am not into werewolves, angels and demons, etc. Nightmare stuff for me. So, take it from me, that S.M. Reine can tell a story that will keep you focused on nothing else but her story. Yeah, there is a lot of blood and guts, and all the above. Yet the characters she has inhabiting my world (yeah, Reno!) are likable and flawed. There is enough faith in these characters to know that the good guys win and make it a better place to live.

Did I mention Reno? Ms. Reine placed her story in my city and I could picture everywhere than she mentions in this book. I have to admit that I will keep on the lookout for zombies and giant spiders near the university. And watch out for demons here, everyone!

The pictures I see of the author make her look like she’s twelve, but she is a fantastic writer. Not a word is wasted, every word moves the story and you just can’t wait to see what her young mind can make real next. You would think I would understand how it is she writes so well with as many of hers books that I’ve read, but I am more amazed with each book.

For those of you just getting started I’d read the Seasons of the Moon series first and then move into the Cain Chronicles then you can do the side step into the Descent Series. I still have a couple more of those and then there is the Ascension series. I plan to read them all. I can’t get enough of this author’s words and worlds. Well done!

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Review: Jaguar Moon


Jaguar Moon
Jaguar Moon by Martha Bourke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This second book was so much better than the first book. It has more action and viewpoints to see from. I know a lot of people that don’t like differing points of view but I do. I didn’t like Maya that much in the first book. She was too wimpy. But in this book we get to see her through her friends eyes. And we get glimpses into their lives apart from her. In the first book I wanted to know more about her best friends, the twins. In this one we get inside information, so to speak. I wanted to dig deeper into her mate’s life and we did.

What I like about both books is that I can see that the author, Martha Bourke, spent a lot of time researching and then educating the readers to a part of the world some of us needed to be introduced to. She didn’t give this information in a boring way that would detract from the story, but, rather, as a significant part of the tale, as much a part as the supporting characters.

Something that usually gets to me in novels is the use of other languages. When most authors add that ‘piece of class,’ they seem to assume we all know these other languages as well. Other authors will go to the far extreme and translate in parenthesis. But that get cumbersome and takes the reader out of the story for sure. Ms. Bourke has figured out a great way to integrate the translations so that the reader feels a part of the conversation. Well done!

I will remember this story and may read the series again. But I didn’t feel as secure at the end of this book. Though it wasn’t a cliffhanger, I feel my nerves are jangled and wish I had the time to get to the next book (I think I saw that the next book is out) but it will have to wait. Have you seen my currently reading shelf, meaning those I must read and review soon? Not to mention my TBR shelves! So off I go to my other books until I can pick up the next one and have a bit of time.

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Daughter of Smoke & Bone
Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh. My. Gosh! I think this is the best book ever! Thank you to all that recommended it so highly. I, too, now sing its praises!

Laini Taylor is the storyteller’s storyteller. Once I started into the world that she created I didn’t want to leave. In fact, though the copies I had of the hardback and the CDs were borrowed from the library, I couldn’t bear to return them had I not gone ahead and bought the Kindle and Audible versions to read again. And while I was at it I picked up the next in the series.

Oh, and I need to sing a few praises to the narrator, Khristine Hvam. I was caught up in the sound of her voice and her ability to wring out every nuance each word and even syllable the book had to offer.

The main character, Karou, is real, palpable. I could see through her eyes, smell what she smelled, anguish in choices to be made or mistakes that resulted. The cast of characters surrounding her were also real. I keep trying to come up with another word, after all this IS fantasy, but that is all I can come up with, real.

Magic is in abundance in the book, whether it is meant to be or not. Yet it is highly believable. And always leads to hope. Hope is the theme, I think. It made me feel it deep inside in places that haven’t felt it for a while. Hope. How many books give you that? That is a priceless commodity.

Please read this book with the audio along side. It immerses you into this world and you will feel hope, too.

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Review: Jaguar Sun


Jaguar Sun
Jaguar Sun by Martha Bourke
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Maybe I should have read this near 12-21-2012, then the end of the world and or Mayan calendar would have added a bit more excitement. Maybe I have read too many teen girl becomes shifter becomes goddess. I just couldn’t get into this.

I liked it okay. But the main character, Maya, diet coke addict, was not independent enough. In fact, I thought she was rather a crier and a fainter. A wimp. You would think that her gifts would make her a little bit stronger. You would think that her cool twin BFFs and her handsome, smart boyfriend would be enough to bring her into a confidence and even a bit of spunkiness.

I had hopes with the plot, being about a coming world-peace. I loved the bits about centering and meditation. Those are great lessons for teens to read about with all the stresses they all go through. But somehow, the instructions got lost and didn’t go deep enough, and were always cut short by something else. How in the world could she have reached any proficiency?

I would have liked to see the relationship between Maya and Matt grow, instead of a distance between them and then suddenly mates. Kind of missing something in the middle there. I would have liked to get to know the other shifter friends. And more about the one that had a crush on Maya.

Even still I have the next book and am hoping the author gained her chops and thereby a tighter story.

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Of Wings and Wolves
Of Wings and Wolves by S.M. Reine
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I hope there is more to this series as I love the relationship between Summer and the Angel Nash. Summer’s twin, Abram, doesn’t feature in this story as much. I assume we will learn more of his abilities later. Even so this story starts with Aunt Gwen taking care of Rylie’s babies in a new land. I would have loved to get more into Gwen’s story. I know she isn’t a young adult or new adult. And she’s a lesbian. Why is she a toss-away character? Please write her a book!

Okay, notice I did give this five stars. My personal complaints do not stop the story from being exciting from beginning to end. Summer is quite a character with spunk inherited from her mother and aunt. She doesn’t hold back from telling it like it is no matter what. Her life has been fairly idyllic until an angel comes into her life. She won’t let him get away with anything. I love her! She is a healthy person for young adults to emulate.

Ms Reine knows how to keep her readers engaged. Just about the time you might feel you could take a breath and look around the world she’s built, there is a new danger to fight through. This one is different than Rylie’s world so the problems are different. I just kept wondering how they would get through it all.

I highly recommend the series Seasons of the Moon and its extension the Cain Chronicles.

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The Cain Chronicles, Episodes 1-4: New Moon Summer, Blood Moon Harvest, Moon of the Terrible, Red Rose Moon
The Cain Chronicles, Episodes 1-4: New Moon Summer, Blood Moon Harvest, Moon of the Terrible, Red Rose Moon by S.M. Reine
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another great work by S.M. Reine. I love her characters and stories. It was fun to go back and see Rylie, Seth and Abel. I find their evolving relationships so intriguing. They can’t live with modern societies rules of love. Two Alpha werewolves and a Kopic. Two brothers and the girl of their dreams. Human needs versus werewolf needs. A little polyamory needs to play out.

I keep trying to write this review on this batch of episodes but I am already reading book number five. I just couldn’t stop reading at the end of this four book box set.

Check out the Seasons of the Moon series first. The Cain Chronicles just gives us more time with the same cast of characters. Who doesn’t love to spend time with friends? Now, can I get back to book five? I am 67% into it and enjoying it thoroughly. 🙂

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Review: Rippler


Rippler
Rippler by Cidney Swanson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

From the moment I started reading this book I was hooked. It starts in the middle of the action, a new talent and a new fear. Who wouldn’t want to be invisible? But when there are people out to kill you or trap you for your genes, is anywhere safe?

There were a few things that made me unsuspend disbelieve when the main character’s running mate turns out to be a fellow rippler. What are the chances of that? But the story keeps going, and I was brought in running for my life with the characters.

This is a YA and as such there is a bit of the angst of teens, but not as much as other YA’s contain. And there is a tiny bit of romance but gentle and not quite as quite as squishy as the average YA. Instead it keeps you going wondering what was going to happen.

I was happy that there wasn’t a cliffhanger. But the reason I didn’t write this review when finished was I found that the trilogy was on sale for $.99 so then I started reading book two. Oops. I am enjoying it, too. 🙂

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