Search

Search only in certain items:

40x40

Merissa (12817 KP) rated Chozen (Headspace #1) in Books

Dec 8, 2021 (Updated Jul 9, 2023)  
Chozen (Headspace #1)
Chozen (Headspace #1)
JP Sayle, J. Paton | 2021 | Crime, LGBTQ+, Thriller
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
CHOZEN: PART ONE comes with a trigger warning, and it's DARK, so pay heed to it. This book won't be for everyone for any number of reasons. If you can read it though, be prepared to read an intricate, twisted, multiple-perspective story.

Now, as already stated, this is told from multiple people which, for me, made it a bit confusing as there were simply so many of them! It does give you a well-rounded view so, for that, I'm thankful. I just had difficulty remembering who was who and what their role was.

You have no idea who to trust as you travel with Tucker and find out more about his situation. Can I just say, it sucks? It's a scary situation for him to be in, and I was on tenterhooks when I read his chapters.

Although this is definitely NOT a romance, you do get hints about possible pairings in the future. And if you've read any of The Playroom in the past, it may help with this.

All in all, I... want to say enjoyed it, but that just sounds so wrong! I was gripped, enthralled, intrigued, and will be reading Part Two as I really want to see where this goes and how it all plays out.

I absolutely do recommend this... but just be aware that it ends on a cliffhanger, and is DARK.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Dec 8, 2021
  
40x40

Merissa (12817 KP) rated Interstellar Angel (Astral Heat #1) in Books

Sep 16, 2021 (Updated Jul 14, 2023)  
Interstellar Angel (Astral Heat #1)
Interstellar Angel (Astral Heat #1)
Laura Navarre | 2021 | Erotica, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
INTERSTELLAR ANGEL is the first book in the Astral Heat series and is a slow-start, slow-burn reverse harem science fiction story.

The prologue starts with a character called Zorin being held in a cell. He escapes (with help) and disappears until the last part of the book, but not before kissing one of our main males senseless. Kaia has run away from home to escape the chains of being a princess - and I mean that literally. Only now she has been caught and things are never going to be the same for her.

There was a lot to this that didn't make sense to me - the whole cyber aspect of it, if I'm honest. I use a computer but I don't know all about the innards, and that's what it felt like. Once I skimmed over those parts, it got better.

There are some very steamy moments in this but, as Kaia says, no penetration. There is also a lot of back and forth, life-mates, mating pheromones, protective instincts, you name it. Overall, it was a good read that I enjoyed and have no hesitation in recommending.

Fair warning though - it does end on a cliffhanger so be prepared to wait to find out what happens next. The next book, Renegade Angel, is due for release in December.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 16, 2021
  
The Starfolk Arcana (The Starfolk Trilogy #1) by Martha Dunlop
The Starfolk Arcana (The Starfolk Trilogy #1) by Martha Dunlop
Martha Dunlop | 2020 | Paranormal, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
THE STARFOLK ARCANA is the first book in the Starfolk Trilogy and we are introduced to a contemporary world where Beth has never felt as though she fitted in, due to her gut feelings and intuition. On her birthday, she goes to a TV show that her friend got tickets for. There, she sees a celebrity, Amelia, who speaks a lot of nonsense but nevertheless manages to sway over the audience apart from Beth. It is also there she meets Jonan for the first time. Life is about to get a whole lot more interesting.

I wouldn't call this a romance book, but rather a story with romantic elements. There is a lot of back and forth between Beth and Jonan as they try to work together, past lives and tarot cards notwithstanding. The whole world seems to be under Amelia's spell, and they need to stop it. It is an uphill battle though, as it is easier to give in to fear than to fight it.

Full of twists and turns, you are never completely sure who to trust. I understood Beth's frustration and hope for the general population but I found her blindness to her roommate to be just as irritating for me.

It does end on a bit of a cliffhanger which definitely left me wanting more. A great read I thoroughly enjoyed and have no hesitation in recommending.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jul 11, 2022
  
The Spellcaster's Trap (The Familiar Curse #1)
The Spellcaster's Trap (The Familiar Curse #1)
Cassandra Lawson, C.L. Bright | 2021 | Paranormal
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Okay, so where do I start? The Spellcaster's Trap is the first book in The Familiar's Curse series, and we start off with Juliet at seven years old, when her father tells her the story of how the shapeshifters and spellcasters war came to be. Fast forward ten years and Juliet is now with her not-so-nice stepmother, who arranges for her to die. Simply put, that doesn't happen.

I LOVED THIS STORY! I was intrigued from the very beginning, and I loved the connection Juliet and Dante had. The acknowledgement of Romeo and Juliet made me smile, and I thought that both Dante and Juliet acted very maturely given the circumstances, knowing they couldn't be together. Did I want them to be? Hell yeah!!! These two NEED to be together.

History is often twisted and warped through time and, as is often said, is written by the victors. Having both spellcasters and shapeshifters acknowledge this point made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. That was a good thing because this ends with one helluva cliffhanger that about killed me! I need the second book, like right now.

The pacing was perfect, the characters are fantastic - although not always in a good way! Nicholas, I'm looking at you!!! - and the world-building was awesome. There's simply no way I couldn't give this 5-stars. Absolutely recommended by me, and... when is Book 2 out? Please?

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Mar 5, 2021
  
Raising Hell: How To Survive The Terrible Twos
Raising Hell: How To Survive The Terrible Twos
Katie Zaber | 2023 | Paranormal
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
RAISING HELL: HOW TO SURVIVE THE TERRIBLE TWOS really should be read after What To Expect When You're Expecting Something Different as the story continues on from that one.

Eve now has two children - Seraphina and Malak. She is trying her best to rein in Seraphina's erm... let us say evil tendencies! Not so easy when you have a strong-willed child but especially so if they're the antichrist! Thank goodness for Malak. He is a child who just eats and sleeps, giving Eve a little respite. Her world is still crazy, although Lucas does his best when he can.

It is a while since I read the first book so it took me a while to fully get into this one, as events that helped to shape Eve, I couldn't fully remember. The story soon dragged me in, and I was lost within the world created. Some of the events were expected but some weren't!

The imagery you are given in Katie Zaber's stories is just outstanding! The descriptions of Eve's mindscape are so clear. And the emotions come through loud and clear. You can feel her frustrations rolling out through the pages.

It does end on a cliffhanger so fair warning. Plus, I really need to know more about Desmond. A thoroughly enjoyable book that is different to the rest and absolutely recommended by me.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 1, 2023
  
Kill the Father
Kill the Father
Sandrone Dazieri | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
9
8.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Filled with Twists and Turns
This was one of the better thriller/mystery novels I have read so far this year. Wow. It was well written, filled with lots of twists and turns and the way everything is tied together is fantastic and makes the writing flow to keep you engaged and the pages turning.

The characters speak for themselves. They’re heavily flawed and are dealing with horrible pasts. I like both of them and Dante and Colomba do make a great team. Dante certainly has his quirks and his mannerisms due to his being a previous kidnapping victim. It feels like they certainly complement each other and they have an amazing chemistry when working together. They’re both very strong characters, no doubt.

If any of you have read The Monster’s Daughter by Michelle Pretorius I found some similarities between Colomba and Alet in the fact they both don’t take crap and go beyond their limits to solve things and they’re certainly not afraid to take a swing or kick to make their point across (Colomba has a good share of that throughout the book)

The plot was really good and what I really enjoyed reading the most was the way everything was seamless and how it was put together. Everything that happened to Colomba and Dante was related and well explained. The explanation as to the origins of Colomba’s situation was very well done! I enjoyed that aspect of the plot. The only thing is, the book is rather long and the plot a bit on the slow side but it’s nevertheless a great read and going through the twists and turns was completely worth it.

And yes, there’s a cliffhanger ending. I can’t wait to read the second one.
  
Stranger Things  - Season 2
Stranger Things - Season 2
2017 | Sci-Fi
Exciting once it gets going (1 more)
SFX are on point
The story takes a while to get off the ground (0 more)
Back To Hawkins
I loved the first season of Stranger Things and season 2 was one of my most anticipated shows of this year. While I don’t feel that season 2 surpassed the preceding season of the show, it is another solid chapter in what is fixing to be a pretty epic saga. The show takes a while to find its feet; some unorthodox structural choices cause the series to begin on a fairly unfocused note. It is revealed in the first episode that Eleven has been in hiding and living with Hopper since the events at the end of season 1 and once that cliffhanger from the last season is addressed, everything else is pretty hunky dory. Will is still tripping out and seeing the upside down every now and again, but that is expected to pass and we aren’t presented with any real conflict until a few episodes into the new season. The first season opened with the disappearance of Will and we were immediately on board with the goals of every character in the show, whereas the first few episodes of this season feel unfocused and there isn’t really any sense of purpose felt.
Once the plot gets going and the season finds its feet, the show definitely become more enjoyable and exciting and that pace and sense of intrigue continues all the way through until the end of the season, other than episode 7 that is. Overall though, I did enjoy this season and am very excited to see the future seasons in this story play out. 8/10