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Ross (3284 KP) rated A Time of Blood in Books

Mar 11, 2019  
A Time of Blood
A Time of Blood
John Gwynne | 2019 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Exciting, action-packed fantasy
** Disclosure - I received a free advance copy of this from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review **


A Time of Blood is the second book in John Gwynne's second series and I can happily say this is his best yet in my opinion.
The action carries on from the previous book with the evil Kadoshim minions rising up and trying to get back to power. The forces of good also start to muster, though there are still divisions and suspicions between the various groups which hamper their successes.
Drem, the trapper, really develops into a brilliant hero character without any prophecy nonsense for once, and surrounds himself with a strong cast of enjoyable diverse companions.
The first half of the book sees Drem and his companions travelling to escape the evil horde and warn others of the uprising they have witnessed. This journey is non-stop action and a thrill to read.
Meanwhile we have the recently airborne Riv who is battling with politics and prejudice to retake her place in the army. These chapters are much slower paced but vital.
The balance between chapters and characters in the book allow Gwynne to fit the story in while keeping the action flowing at a good pace.
A very enjoyable and exciting read.
  
The Sisters’ Secrets: Reen
The Sisters’ Secrets: Reen
Katlyn Duncan | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry, Romance
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Well Worth A Read!
This is the second book in a series entitled ‘The Sisters’ Secrets.’ The first one is called ‘The Sisters’ Secrets: Rose’, which I haven’t read, though, whilst not ideal, I don’t think it matters that much if they are read out of sequence. It was still a great book for me and worked fine as a stand-alone read.

The Sisters’ Secrets: Reen has all the required ingredients that make a really fantastic story in its genre: from the mood and undercurrents to the good writing and the experience of love and friendship, not forgetting the feelings of hope and moving on from the past.

There is plenty of romance in this thought-provoking story and lots of lighter moments, but this is not lightweight paranormal dross. It examines issues around family and relationships as well as bereavement and loss.

I recommend this very engaging, if a little short, read to those with a fondness for the Romance and Women’s Fiction genres. There are more secrets to be revealed in the next book of the series ‘The Sisters’ Secrets: Pearl’ and I will be reading that book, too!

Thanks to NetGalley, HQ Digital and the author, Katlyn Duncan for my free ARC of The Sisters’ Secrets: Reen in exchange for an honest review.

#NetGalley #TheSistersSecretsReen
  
RO
Rose of Sarajevo
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
<a href="https://awindowintobooks.wordpress.com">Full Review</a>
I received, Rose of Sarajevo by Ayse Kulin, for free in exchange for a review from goodreads. I knew very little about the Balkans crisis prior to reading this book but now I feel that I understand some of what the people experienced and how families were torn apart for a crisis that is deep within the roots of the people. For the first part of the book the story appeared to creep along the pages as the author explained the reason for the war and give the backstory. Once the necessary explanation was completed the story took off and captivated me as the reader. Violence occurs. A town is destroyed. Heartbreak. Death. And finally, family members leaving to fight a war that so many see as senseless.
At the beginning Nimeta (the main characters) appears to be a woman is strong, dedicated, journalist whose a mother, a daughter, and a wife. She has done everything correct just as is expected of her until she meets Stefan who she unexpectedly fall in love with. She has to make the decision of doing what is right and doing what her heart says.
As a person who loves historical novels, this book was perfect. I recommend this book to anyone who likes to read about history, especially a part of history that is not discussed much.
  
P(
Poppy (Poppy, #1)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Poppy by Mary Hooper is a sweet novel. The book gives a look at the lives of English nurses of World War One who took care of soldiers who wounded where their injuries were to the extent that caused the soldier to be returned home. Poppy shows World War One in a fresh and touching perspective.

Poppy takes a look at some of the less talked aspects of war. The book foxes on returned soldier who had facial injuries leaving them disfigured and cause damage to themselves to get away from the fighting and being strong. The topics discussed are series and sensitive issues but the author, Mary Hooper, does a great job of addressing and dealing with the issues in Poppy.

One aspect I enjoyed was the letters that were interspersed throughout the story. The letters brought the voice of the character into the story. I felt the story was an enjoyable and quite touching. They writing style flows well and was easy to slip into the story. It was great to see the novel tackle some of the less well-known aspects of the First World War and I only hope the second book does the same.

I give this story 4/5 stars.

I received this book from Bloomsbury USA Children's Books via Netgalley in exchange of a honest review.
  
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Louise (64 KP) rated Sometimes I Lie in Books

Jul 2, 2018  
Sometimes I Lie
Sometimes I Lie
Alice Feeney | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
8
7.8 (17 Ratings)
Book Rating
*I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and the publishers in exchange for an honest review*

This book must have one of the shortest blurbs but one of the most intriguing, When I saw this book I instantly knew that I wanted to read it, there so much mystery in that blurb – I wanted to know why she was in a coma, why her husband didn’t love and what she lied about and if these lies were the reasons she was in a coma.

For a debut novel this absolutely fantastic, very absorbing, gripping and has you on the edge of your seat the whole way through, I truly am excited to see what this very talented writer is going to come up with next.

I am not going to write anything about the story as i think it will take some of the allure away. All you need to know is that you will be trying to second guess what is going and trying to reveal the truth. There are so many twists and turns in this book,if you are anything like me when I got to the plot twist I had to read it a few times to get my head round it.

This novel was dark,gritty and a great mystery/thriller novel.
  
A3
A 3rd Time to Die
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Do you believe in past lives? After reading this book you might be convinced! This is a book full of connections between the main characters and other connections that you find out about as you read through. The concept of connected souls is an old one but this story gives it a whole new twist and it was a pleasure to read. It is suspenseful, not giving away secrets until exactly the right time, and also with the right mix of romance, 'normal' life and paranormal activity.

The characters in the book, whether they are main ones or supporting characters, all have immense depth to them. Mr Bernstein has managed to give each character their own personal traits and flaws whilst also drawing parallels not only with each other but with past lives too. This is an incredible feat of writing that will draw you in and not let go until you have finished the story.

The climax to the story is everything that it should be. It fills in any holes that have been left as the story unfolded while giving you a dramatic and satisfying conclusion.

Highly Recommended for all readers of the Paranormal and Suspense genres.

http://archaeolibrarianologist.blogspot.de/2014/03/a-3rd-time-to-die-by-george-bernstein.html
  
BE
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
<b><i>I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.</i></b>
Bookishly Ever After basically proves that my life sucks and the main character’s life is better… thus fictional lives are better. (Technically, fictional boys are better.)

I’ll agree with some of the reviewers on Goodreads that Bandeira’s debut novel doesn’t actually have a plot… because it doesn’t. Bookishly Ever After is an extremely light read that a plot isn’t really necessary to enjoy the book – if you enjoy a really cute book with adorable main characters to boot. Phoebe, le fabulous main character, is quite literally everything that I am fictionalized aside from looks, and I am so not saying that I’m cute because I’m not that confident. However, it is highly unadvised for guys to tell Sophia that she is cute or pretty because she will very happily kick you (or throw a GIF at you).

It is, however, totally worth the read if anyone is looking for something cute and light.

<a href="https://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/mini-reviews-part-1-emily-skrutskie-marie-lu-and-others/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
  
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Eleanor (1463 KP) rated Good Girls Lie in Books

Jun 25, 2019  
Good Girls Lie
Good Girls Lie
J.T. Ellison | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry, Mystery, Thriller
8
7.4 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
Mature Prep School Mystery
I was a bit worried when I picked up this book and realised it was set in an all girls boarding school, I’m not a fan of teenage girls, I didn’t even like them when I was one - way too much melodrama. However, I was pleasantly surprised at how well Ellison managed to write the girls in this book so that I didn’t feel the overwhelming need to slap them all (not sure if that means they aren’t very realistic though!?!)

The Goode School is a prestigious academy steeped in history and tradition. The atmosphere around the school is really enjoyable with an almost gothic feel to it. The elite world of secret societies and honour codes was a nice refreshing setting for me for a thriller. We follow the arrival of 16 year old Oxford raised Ash Carlisle as she arrives at the school following the deaths of her parents. Unfortunately it seems death follows Ash and soon deaths at the Goode school are starting to add up to something very suspicious.

I found this book to be a great page turner and had some interesting twists and turns. I enjoyed the world Ellison created more then the story, which was a solid captivating mystery.

My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.