Tag Archive: free-for-review


Review: Man Made Man


Man Made Man
Man Made Man by Marjorie F. Baldwin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Disclosure: This was a copy given to me by the author for honest review. Thank you for the opportunity!

This was supposed to be my year of reading strictly strong fem main characters written by strong fem authors. As my constant attempts to re-read A Song of Ice and Fire prove, that goal is merely a guideline. My decision came about when I realized that most of my formative years I read mainly works by males. And teachers only recommended (required) books by and about males. I’ll admit to being a latebloomer. Now that I am retired, I realize I should catch up on fem reading.

This book only hits one of my goals. Friday (Marjorie F. Baldwin) is a strong fem writer. Even though the females in this story are not the main characters, I do find they are interesting. In fact, my favorite person in this series is Shayla. But, she isn’t even human. On the other hand, the main character, Raif is interesting, and human.

Another thing about this author is her ability to throw in subject matter that might cause discomfort, but isn’t that what true science fiction should do? For that, I am happy to know her and have the chance to read her books.

Even for an ARC as such, the errors got lost in the story. I think my biggest problem was I felt I have read this series inside out and backwards. The timeline in my head was making me dizzy. I feel jealous of those who will be able to read the series in order. Someday I will try to re-read these in order. I do look forward to more books by Friday. I’d especially love to see more about Shayla and her people.

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Review: Gateway to Reality


Gateway to Reality
Gateway to Reality by Becca J. Campbell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Disclaimer: I was given this Kindle version of the book for an honest review.

Let’s start off with what I loved. The worlds, especially Sea Clearly, And the Freefall (I can’t remember the name for it right now) world. I loved the way the characters could make their own worlds and move from one to the other. All great ideas. I would have loved even more world creating processes, seen into other characters points of view as they built and had their own relationships.

What I didn’t like, and nearly quit reading because of: ANGST. If this wasn’t from and author I like, looking for a review, I wouldn’t have read past the first chapter. A sentence could have summed it up. Wes screwed up and now he missed his girlfriend. The rest of the chapter reiterating the same thing drove it into the ground. By the end of the first chapter I hated Wes. I never quite got to the point of liking him. I kept saying to him: GET A LIFE! Here he was in a really cool dream? world? Why not just enjoy it?

Let me just say, I am in pain almost constantly. I read fantasy and sci-fi to escape. When a book spends so much time on the negative emotions, I get overwhelmed. By the way, that seems to be how the YA books go. It is the one reason I would never want to be an adolescent ever again. But Wes wasn’t an adolescent. He is older, working new adult. He has a wonderful family, good friends. Get on with life. When the life hits that could be even more fun, he is obsessing, stalking his ex. Didn’t like the ending or the bad guy either.

My advice to other readers: read only a bit of chapter one. It is worth getting to the rest of the book. I would love to see a book two with these worlds.

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Review: UnEnchanted


UnEnchanted
UnEnchanted by Chanda Hahn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Well, this was a new take on the fairytales, at times very grimm–get it? Pa-dum-dum. Sorry, I couldn’t resist. And, no, this doesn’t reflect on the stories woven into this book, a couple overlapping each other. There might be humor within the pages but not as cheesy as mine.

Mina Grime doesn’t think there is anything funny about her life. Imagine being stuck with that name, for instance. Then she has to live through the modern life of of a klutzy teen, just trying to make it out alive, with some level of self-esteem intact.

Though this follows the YA fantasy of teen-wakes-with-new-powers/gifts/threats format, Mina isn’t lost in the woods or other triteness. Her unique nature causes everything to happen right in front of her classmates giving her even more uncomfortable attention.

Ms. Grime isn’t always strong but she learns that she must be, she has to save her brother and her friends. So, more than anything else, this book reflects her growth as a person.

My thoughts? I liked the characters and the plots within plots, enough so, that I will try to read the next books in the series. Luckily this one didn’t leave you on a cliff. It gave you enough of a resolution to feel you could walk away, but clues enough to make you want to see what more is in store for poor Mina.

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Review: The Locket Thief


The Locket Thief
The Locket Thief by Daniel Patrick
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you, Daniel Patrick, for the offer of a lifetime! You were right! This book was brilliant! I hated when real life drew me away from reading it.

This book is like a combination Golden Compass, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Annie. The action and adventure never lets up. The characters are well developed. I loved that it felt gender neutral. I think young men and women would love this equally, as well as children and senior citizens. There’s something there for everyone. This could easily be made into a movie.

***The problems written here before have been edited out. So this author deserves five plus stars!!!!***

Fabulous read! Thanks, again! Can’t wait to read the next book!

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Review: Empath


Empath
Empath by Becca J. Campbell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Disclosure: I was given this book by the author for an honest review.

This was quite the fun, exciting story about three possibly four people who considered themselves flawed. The one I related to most was the empath who couldn’t get around crowds of people without feeling everyone else’s emotions. I find I can get around crowds for the same reason I am overly sensitive to everybody’s emotions I can’t seem to zero in on one at a time. But I’ve come to rely on it is a good way to know the people who were around me. I find it’s missing when I’m talking on the phone, which makes me avoid the phone.

The young college students are fun to read about Becca Campbell makes you feel like you are there with them as they go wall climbing, repelling and rafting. All the characters are believable even the bad guy, unfortunately.

The book is amazing! From the minute you start reading this book you are into it. It keeps you in suspense and wondering how the characters are going to solve their problems.

I understood that this was an ARC, so I’m not going to complain about the little errors along the way. The story kept me going anyway. I doubt that I would’ve noticed. What did stop me in my tracks, was the use of Scripture. It felt out of place. Just as it would if you were reading Santa Claus Is Coming to Town ,and there was a Scripture about a child wrapped in swaddling clothing. It isn’t that I think it was the wrong Scripture it just felt out of place in a fantasy. Maybe an * near the prayer that the main character prays, referring to that Scripture, would keep the story flowing a little bit better.

Regardless, I love this book and can’t wait to read the rest of the series. Thank you, Becca for letting me read your great bookthe mission

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