Courageous by Willow Rose
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a satisfying ending to a semi-completed boxed set. I found the whole story a bit confusing until I let go of my preconceived notions of what the afterlife should be and accepted this as the author’s young adult fantasy.
The whole story is fun and a little different. Give it a try if you need an escape from the confusion of the real world.
The Afterlife Series Box Set by Willow Rose
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I have finally finished reading not only this but the fourth book. This book was supposed to be the complete series. And probably when I got it, it was all the author had ready. But the ending was a cliffhanger. Had that been all, I would have been very disappointed.
Still, the three-book set was fun. One has to put aside theology and think of this as fantasy; the characters’ abilities were so fun. I loved the main character, Meghan, and how she cared for others.
On the other hand, the antagonist is too much.
Oh, the people you meet along the way. Einstein, can you believe it? No? Well, it’s fantasy, okay?
This is definitely a young adult series. There is far too much romance. Ugh! But hey, it’s a story, and it was a fun read.
~~~
So, to add the Jot to the above review, it was one of the abilities that appear in in fantasies is the gift of glamour. Bingo! It is used in this book set.
Noa’s Ark by C. Gockel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the continuation of a fun Sci-fi series. In the first, the main characters are planet-bound for the most part. In this book, we are space traveling. It is very much a space opera. I could almost see this as a television or movie series.
Emily Woo Zeller (Narrator) changes voices seamlessly. She is amazing. Never once did I wonder who was talking or from whose point of view we were looking.
I can’t wait to listen to the next book.
If you like sci-fi, especially space travel, please seek out the Archangel Project.
Hi! It’s time for our twentieth prompt for Just Jot it January 2025. Today, we have a prompt gifted to us by the incomparable Kim. Thank you, Kim! Please be sure to visit Kim’s blog to read her posts and say hello. And follow her while you’re there if you’re not already.
Your prompt for JusJoJan January 20th, 2025 is “antipodean.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!
If a review of sci-fi that speaks of planets couldn’t use the word “antipodean,” what could. But the main characters never got to the other side of the planet. Oh, but look! I used it anyway! 🤪
Archangel Down by C. Gockel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was a fun space adventure. Most of it is planet-bound, but quick spoiler: there will be space.
Look, this is a fast-paced book. The narrator, Emily Woo Zeller, seamlessly switches characters and emotions. I’m sure the paper book is good, but I have to admit that I can’t imagine not hearing it. But it made a bad bedtime book. I didn’t want to put it away. I probably should have been a book for three nights, but I couldn’t stop.
The main character, Noa, is quite persnickety, but that is required of the movement leader and the spaceship’s pilot. But it gets in her way. She doesn’t know who to trust. All she knows is she needs to save people from being tortured or killed. Noa is flawed but likable. I found myself rooting for her.
If you get the chance to read/listen to the book, I think you will love it, too. It is on Audible. Please give it a try.
Simon Fayter and the Doors of Bone by Austin J. Bailey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
After reading some depressing, serious books, this charmer landed in my Libby to borrow. I read/listened to it in one night.
If you are looking for a fun read, perhaps one you could share with the rest of the family, this is it. The author narrates so you don’t miss any nuance.
Finally, you have got to love a good footnote. I always have!
Don’t you love a good story that? It’s like getting an invigorating cup of coffee. Time to get one. Sorry this was a bit of a cheat.
A Cream of Passion by Nancy Warren
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Once again, the book came to me out of order, so I’ve yet to read the first four novels in the series. Still, the author keeps the reader up-to-date on the main character’s goals and needs.
Hollis McCarthy (Narrator) acts out the characters flawlessly. Between the writing and the audio, the reading went quickly. It is a good book if you want something fast between larger reads.
Between cooking and murder, this book is not nearly as fun as Nancy Warren’s Vampire Knitting Club series. I don’t like cooking. I’m forever on a diet of gluten-free or carbs so that these pastry-rich stories may be invoking a murderous feeling. Still, I like meandering between books of differing subject matters.
I will keep reading the series and other books by Nancy Warren. This just wasn’t a favorite. By the way, I was happy to listen to it on Libby’s audio version.
~~~
Wicked : The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
My Oz research continues. I dove deep and read the complete Oz books so I would be ready for Wicked. Having done that, a lot felt like the same story just a different point of view.
Though this was fantasy, it doesn’t take a genius to see how a person born and raised unloved, becomes wicked. But what if you are trying to be the best you can? In this book, you learn to feel for Elphaba. And maybe see the wickedness in the people surrounding her whole life.
I recommend others take the time to read Frank L. Baim’s entire series and delve into this world of Oz. My goal now is to watch the movie, eventually buy the Blu-ray, get the musical recording, and finally the sheet music to learn to play all the songs. When I dive, I dive deep. I can’t wait!
Blood, Sweat and Tiers by Nancy Warren
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Once again, Nancy Warren and Hollis McCarthy brought a fun whodunnit adventure. The author wrote this series in such a fashion that you can catch up and know what is happening no matter where you start. I read all her Vampire Knitting Club. Then, a bit of the Book Club. I found 5 and 6 of the Great Witches Baking Show when I needed something light. But I couldn’t read the tiny print that said which number in the series I started on. So I started on number 6 and then just finished number 5.
As usual, Hollis narrated each character so well that I knew whose point of view I was visiting. I can’t wait until I can get caught up with the series on Libby or buy the Audible version soon.
I hope you can enjoy this series. It’s light, even if it is a murder mystery.
Crumbs and Misdemeanors by Nancy Warren
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Because of the availability at Libby, I am reading this series out of order. After the fun of GingerDead, I found book 6. I dislike reading things out of order, but I figured Nancy Warren does such a nice job of filling in the needed details from the previous books. I didn’t feel I’d get lost. And I don’t think I did.
This book went nearly as fast as the Gingerdead novella. It was a fun ride.
Hollis McCarthy narrated this one, also. She could voice all the characters so well that I often forgot it was just one woman reading aloud.
Nancy Warren’s series are all so light and cozy, yet engaging. I don’t like that mysteries are always about murder. But everything else is fun. It’s always an adventure.
It was one of those sleepless nights, so I not only finished this one, but I went on to the other one Libby had available. Again, way out of order. On to number 5!
Gingerdead House by Nancy Warren
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
After the month it took me to read the Complete Oz book, I needed something light and short. This one was available to listen to on Libby just when I needed it.
Do you need a fun little who-done-it with a fun character who happens to be a witch? It took three hours. The bad side is that it created a crazy desire for gingerbread cookies. Luckily, we don’t have any, and I don’t like cooking.
Hollis McCarthy is a fun narrator who can act out the various characters that show up. And she was able to make me laugh at the main character, Poppy Wilkinson, with her foibles and sense of humor.
For this reason, and that I know I can’t be let down by any Nancy Warren book, I picked up a few other Great Witches Baking Show novels to brighten my sudden depression. This is not the time to get caught up in that. Right? On to the fun stories!
Congrats! You have completed your goal of reading 100 books for the 2013 Reading Challenge! 115 of 100 (115%)
Congrats! You have completed your goal of reading 225 books for the 2012 Reading Challenge! 225 of 225 (100%)
Congrats! You have completed your goal of reading 200 books for the 2011 Reading Challenge! 204 of 200 (102%)
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