Tag Archive: Fiction


Review: Paz by Liz Shipton


Paz (Thalassic, #4)Paz by Liz Shipton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the least favorite of this series. I understand the need to view from another character than Bird. It is her friend turned lover, Sargo’s point of view. But sadly, he isn’t as perfect as we thought in previous books.

Another thing I didn’t like was all the fighting with or without weapons. I love visiting all the alternate dimensions, but the good guy and bad guy stuff was hard to take. And though the sex scenes before were fun, now it got weird, and with drugs involved, especially from the drug-free anchor partner, it just made Sargo even less appealing to me.

Still, as part of the series, I felt this part of the story needed to be told. And I’ve already moved on to #5 and, as of last night, #6! There is still a lot of interesting adventure to be had here.

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Review: Soul by Liz Shipton


Soul (Thalassic, #3)Soul by Liz Shipton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This series is so good that I can’t stop long enough to dwell on the book I just finished and continue reading the next non-stop. Sadly, that means I can’t remember specifics about book #3. But it is full of adventure and exploration of unknown places.

What I like best about the series is the superpower of ADHD and how it affects a person. It can cause many problems, but it has surprising benefits when conquered. And even more so in these books.

After reading the author’s bio, I can see why she can write about it so believably.

I hope I’ve convinced you to give this series a try. A word of caution: There are sexy bits, but fast-forward works if you aren’t interested, and you won’t lose any story. Yet, the scenes don’t feel out of place, so they feel natural. These are for Young Adults. So…

Now I can get on with book #4!

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Review: Sand by Liz Shipton


Sand (Thalassic, #2)Sand by Liz Shipton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This series is slowly becoming my favorite ever. I have recently begun to embrace the fact that ADD/ADHD is a superpower. This series embraces that, too. Check out these books’ blurbs, as I am sure I won’t do the story justice.

I couldn’t let go of book 2; it was too early, so I downloaded book 3, Soul, and had to fight myself to stay out of the book during the day. I can’t wait for the bedtime read to see what happens with Bird and her adventures.

All that and pirates, too?! Yes! This is fun, with some serious things to say to young and old readers. Please look up the Thalssic series. Enjoy!

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Review: Salt by Liz Shipton


Salt (Thalassic, #1)Salt by Liz Shipton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Well, it is about time for a proper dystopian story. The post-apocalyptic world and characters are all well-developed. Flawed and real. And Raw. I didn’t know there were choices, but if you don’t want a little sexuality thrown in, there is a Young Adult version. But if you don’t enjoy the small bits here and there, you can always fast forward. The story works with or without. Either way, get ready for the troubled teen, Bird.

Pirates? It’s hard to tell, sometimes, who the bad guys or good guys are. It seems realistically portrayed from a personal point of view.

Adventure, disaster, balanced with a moment or two for reflection. I love it when books work that way. If you get the chance, read the blurbs about the book. Or better yet, pick this up, and I think you may find yourself immersed in a great journey.

I couldn’t wait when this one ended, I jumped right into the sequel, Sand. What a fun series!

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The Afterlife Series Box SetThe 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.

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Our prompt today comes to us from the sensational Sadje. Thank you, Sadje! Please be sure to visitΒ Sadje’s blogΒ to read her posts and say hello. And follow her while you’re there if you’re not already.
Your prompt for JusJoJan January 27th, 2025Β is β€œglamorous.” Use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!

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.


My Sister's Keeper: A NovelMy Sister’s Keeper: A Novel by Jodi Picoult
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Finishing a book early on at bedtime, I was left shuffling. Libby had a Jodi Picoult. I thought I could never go wrong with anything of hers. Yet, within the chapter, I realized I had already read Small Great Things. I enjoyed that book, but I wanted something new. So I searched Libby and found My Sister’s Keeper.

This one immediately intrigued me. The younger daughter shows initiative in fixing her problems.

Richard Poe, Julia Gibson, Barbara McCulloh, Tom Stechschulte, Carol Monda, Jennifer Ikeda, and Andy Paris narrate this book, keeping the reader/listener engaged. However, I could not get to sleep at a decent hour.

I loved hearing the characters’ separate points of view.

I’m trying not to give spoilers. There is a great blurb on GoodReads and Amazon if you are interested. But make sure the Kleenex is near the end of the book.

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his post is part of Just Jot it January, and the prompt word, β€œinitiative,” comes to us from Fandango.Β Check out his blog here!

See what I did there?

okay

Archangel Down (Archangel Project, #1)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.

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Your prompt for JusJoJan January 7th, 2025Β is β€œpernickety.” Use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!

Simon Fayter and the Doors of Bone (Simon Fayter, #1)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!

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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.

Your prompt for JusJoJan January 6th, 2025Β is β€œinvigorating.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!


A Cream of Passion (Great Witches Baking Show #7)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.

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Your prompt for JusJoJan January 3rd, 2025Β is β€œmeander.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!


Wicked : The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (Wicked Years, #1)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!

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