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Roxanne (13 KP) rated Chimera Book One in Books
Nov 14, 2018
<i>I received an ARC ebook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review</i>
____ <b>4 Star Rating</b> ____
This story is about a young boy called Kyp who ends up being drawn into a whole new world where all lost things go to. It is suitable for both adults and children, however, there are some strong horror elements so I would perhaps recommend going through this book to see if it's suitable for your own child, it's personal preference afterall.
I have to say I really enjoyed this story and at only 100 pages long you can jump right into the next one straight after. I found this to be really original and I liked all of the characters. It is absolutely packed full of action, each chapter ending with a BOOM to keep you hooked (which definitely worked for me).
I would say it needs a bit more editing but the mistakes only mildly effected my enjoyment and so it deserves a full 4 stars.
____ <b>4 Star Rating</b> ____
This story is about a young boy called Kyp who ends up being drawn into a whole new world where all lost things go to. It is suitable for both adults and children, however, there are some strong horror elements so I would perhaps recommend going through this book to see if it's suitable for your own child, it's personal preference afterall.
I have to say I really enjoyed this story and at only 100 pages long you can jump right into the next one straight after. I found this to be really original and I liked all of the characters. It is absolutely packed full of action, each chapter ending with a BOOM to keep you hooked (which definitely worked for me).
I would say it needs a bit more editing but the mistakes only mildly effected my enjoyment and so it deserves a full 4 stars.
Book Divas (227 KP) rated Trust (Between the Lions #1) in Books
Dec 12, 2017 (Updated Dec 12, 2017)
I received a free ebook copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I made no guarantee of a favorable review.
If you love reading about Egyptian deities and stories about the Alexandria library then this book is for you. If you enjoy reading about shape shifters then this book is also for you.
Anna doesn't go to school nor has any friends. The only person in her life is her mother Kali who teaches Anna about history, languages, and art among other subjects. Then Kali meets Patrick and his son Clayton but a happily ever after is not meant to be and in the blink of an eye a devastating occurrence changes everything and thrusts Anna into a world she never knew existed where she meets her grandmother, Cax and the guardians. Yes, there are grammatical errors throughout the book but it is still an amazing read. The author weaved a magical web with beautiful characters and vivid imagery and I am eagerly anticipating book two.
I will end this review with one of my favorite quotes in this book; "The day will come when their descendants will weep for what was done here."
If you love reading about Egyptian deities and stories about the Alexandria library then this book is for you. If you enjoy reading about shape shifters then this book is also for you.
Anna doesn't go to school nor has any friends. The only person in her life is her mother Kali who teaches Anna about history, languages, and art among other subjects. Then Kali meets Patrick and his son Clayton but a happily ever after is not meant to be and in the blink of an eye a devastating occurrence changes everything and thrusts Anna into a world she never knew existed where she meets her grandmother, Cax and the guardians. Yes, there are grammatical errors throughout the book but it is still an amazing read. The author weaved a magical web with beautiful characters and vivid imagery and I am eagerly anticipating book two.
I will end this review with one of my favorite quotes in this book; "The day will come when their descendants will weep for what was done here."
ClareR (5596 KP) rated The Sleeper and the Spindle: Winner of the Cilip Kate Greenaway Medal 2016 in Books
Jul 8, 2020
I’ve been wanting to read this for quite some time, but for one reason or another, I haven’t. COVID-19 and lockdown gave me the ideal opportunity to borrow it from my library’s ebook selection. It’s a quick read for an adult and possibly some young people too, but it’s just the right length for the story.
I loved it - Sleeping Beauty with a twist. It definitely has the fairy story vibes, where the good people are good, and the bad are thoroughly bad. Some would say that’s a very one-dimensional way of looking at it, but isn’t that what fairy stories are all about? As for those who’s ah it’s too scary for young children, I would disagree. I would have loved this as a young child. Yes, it’s scary in places, but it’s a typical fairy story, in that good triumphs over evil. Actually, who am I kidding? I loved this as an adult!
And the art work is stunning. Chris Riddell’s drawings are always wonderful, and the drawings in this book are no exception. Beautiful drawings that complimented the story so well.
I loved it - Sleeping Beauty with a twist. It definitely has the fairy story vibes, where the good people are good, and the bad are thoroughly bad. Some would say that’s a very one-dimensional way of looking at it, but isn’t that what fairy stories are all about? As for those who’s ah it’s too scary for young children, I would disagree. I would have loved this as a young child. Yes, it’s scary in places, but it’s a typical fairy story, in that good triumphs over evil. Actually, who am I kidding? I loved this as an adult!
And the art work is stunning. Chris Riddell’s drawings are always wonderful, and the drawings in this book are no exception. Beautiful drawings that complimented the story so well.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2091 KP) rated Hot Enough to Kill in Books
Oct 25, 2020
Not as Hot a Debut As I Had Hoped
Jolene Jackson hates to return to her hometown of Kickapoo, Texas, but when her mother, Lucille, is brought in for questioning after the mayor is murdered, Jolene heads down to help out. Lucille is obviously hiding something from the sheriff, who also happens to be Jolene’s high school sweetheart. When it becomes obvious that Lucille’s life is in danger, Jolene jumps in to figure things out. Can she do it?
I discovered recently that I bought this book twice, physical and ebook. Clearly, I was interested in reading it. Sadly, it disappointed. The mystery confuses action with unraveling a mystery, so I got a little frustrated in the middle of the book. Even so, I was interested in the action the entire way through. While the main characters are good, the supporting cast is thin. What is supposed to come across as humorous instead comes across as condescending toward those that Jolene doesn’t agree with. Add in some characters who come across as purposefully stereotypical and a few needless political comments and I struggled at times. I’m disappointed I didn’t enjoy this book more.
I discovered recently that I bought this book twice, physical and ebook. Clearly, I was interested in reading it. Sadly, it disappointed. The mystery confuses action with unraveling a mystery, so I got a little frustrated in the middle of the book. Even so, I was interested in the action the entire way through. While the main characters are good, the supporting cast is thin. What is supposed to come across as humorous instead comes across as condescending toward those that Jolene doesn’t agree with. Add in some characters who come across as purposefully stereotypical and a few needless political comments and I struggled at times. I’m disappointed I didn’t enjoy this book more.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2091 KP) rated Hallowed Out in Books
Aug 17, 2022
Haunted Tour Ends in Mystery
Julia Snowden has gotten roped into an effort to bring some tourists to town during October via a haunted homes tour. One of the stops is Gus’s restaurant where a rumrunner was killed by gangsters during Prohibition. An actor has been brought in to help with the reenactment, but the night of the first tour, he is shot when the lights go out. Who did it?
It truly is wonderful to revisit the characters, no matter how briefly it might be. The plot is strong, and the characters we meet along the way are just as strong. I didn’t see the twists of the mystery coming, and the ending caught me by surprise. There is a delightful sub-plot as well that kept me grinning. And there’s a recipe or two at the end.
NOTE: This story is a novella, roughly 100 pages, and was originally part of the novella collection Haunted House Murder. If you have that book, there is no need to buy this ebook. If you haven’t read the story, now is the time to sit back and enjoy this Halloween trip to Maine.
It truly is wonderful to revisit the characters, no matter how briefly it might be. The plot is strong, and the characters we meet along the way are just as strong. I didn’t see the twists of the mystery coming, and the ending caught me by surprise. There is a delightful sub-plot as well that kept me grinning. And there’s a recipe or two at the end.
NOTE: This story is a novella, roughly 100 pages, and was originally part of the novella collection Haunted House Murder. If you have that book, there is no need to buy this ebook. If you haven’t read the story, now is the time to sit back and enjoy this Halloween trip to Maine.
David McK (3233 KP) rated Exile (The Last Roman #1) in Books
Feb 12, 2023
Well.
That was unexpected.
I actually came across this via an ad on FB (marketing does work!), where it was described as 'Jason Bourne' meets Highlander.
That's actually not all that bad a description.
This is presented chapter about with the 'present day' portion of the tale and the historical parts, with the main character of Marcus - the soldier who put his spear into the side of Jesus Christ whilst he was on the cross - cursed with immortality as a result.
He's not the only immortal: there's also another group, all with links to the same 'original' period of time (I don't want to say too much and give stuff away) living through history as well.
Well, when I say immortal they're not quite immortal: they can be killed for good, but it has to be extreme: a shooting won't do it, say, but being burnt at the stake would ...
Anyway, perhaps the best compliment I can give this is that, after reading it through Kindle Unlimited, I then actually went back and purchased the ebook 'proper', as well as the next in the series.
That was unexpected.
I actually came across this via an ad on FB (marketing does work!), where it was described as 'Jason Bourne' meets Highlander.
That's actually not all that bad a description.
This is presented chapter about with the 'present day' portion of the tale and the historical parts, with the main character of Marcus - the soldier who put his spear into the side of Jesus Christ whilst he was on the cross - cursed with immortality as a result.
He's not the only immortal: there's also another group, all with links to the same 'original' period of time (I don't want to say too much and give stuff away) living through history as well.
Well, when I say immortal they're not quite immortal: they can be killed for good, but it has to be extreme: a shooting won't do it, say, but being burnt at the stake would ...
Anyway, perhaps the best compliment I can give this is that, after reading it through Kindle Unlimited, I then actually went back and purchased the ebook 'proper', as well as the next in the series.
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post
Dec 19, 2022
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2091 KP) rated Yule Log Murder in Books
Dec 1, 2022
Christmas Murder on a Film Set
News has broken that a major Hollywood movie is going to be filmed just outside of town, and many of the townspeople are going to be used as extras. Lucy manages to snag one of those spots, but her joy turns to sorrow when a young woman dies on the set. The police seem quick to settle on a killer, but Lucy suspects that something else is going on. Can she figure things out?
I must admit that I haven't read many of Lucy's adventures, sticking mainly to the novellas featuring this character and her family. As a result, I don't have the history with Lucy's family that long time series readers do. That may be why I found them annoying. The mystery itself was very strong, however, with a solution I didn't see coming.
NOTE: This story is a novella, roughly 100 pages, and was originally part of the novella collection Yule Log Murder. If you have that book, there is no need to buy this ebook. If you haven’t read the story, now is the time to sit back and enjoy this Christmas mystery.
I must admit that I haven't read many of Lucy's adventures, sticking mainly to the novellas featuring this character and her family. As a result, I don't have the history with Lucy's family that long time series readers do. That may be why I found them annoying. The mystery itself was very strong, however, with a solution I didn't see coming.
NOTE: This story is a novella, roughly 100 pages, and was originally part of the novella collection Yule Log Murder. If you have that book, there is no need to buy this ebook. If you haven’t read the story, now is the time to sit back and enjoy this Christmas mystery.
Cyn Armistead (14 KP) rated Opening Up: A Guide to Creating and Sustaining Open Relationships in Books
Mar 1, 2018
I have to be honest. When I initially heard about Opening Up by Tristan Taormino, it was in association with someone I can't stand, and I childishly let that association color my impression of the book. I didn't really consider reading it. I finally got around to reading (okay, listening to) it this past week, and I'm sorry I didn't do so sooner. It's so good that I'm considering purchasing a print copy to have on hand in my lending library, and maybe even an ebook copy so that I might easily reference passages from time to time.
None of the information is new to me, exactly, but it is put together very well. The sections on issues to consider/issues that might arise in each style of responsible non-monogamy were especially appreciated. I was disappointed that there isn't a section in her web site for readers, but perhaps the print copy has reproducible checklists.
The chapter on STIs was very good, although I think that a list of specific STIs for which non-monogamous people should request testing would have been helpful.
In any case, I do recommend this book. It's replacing Love Without Limits as my go-to recommendation for new polyfolk to read.
None of the information is new to me, exactly, but it is put together very well. The sections on issues to consider/issues that might arise in each style of responsible non-monogamy were especially appreciated. I was disappointed that there isn't a section in her web site for readers, but perhaps the print copy has reproducible checklists.
The chapter on STIs was very good, although I think that a list of specific STIs for which non-monogamous people should request testing would have been helpful.
In any case, I do recommend this book. It's replacing Love Without Limits as my go-to recommendation for new polyfolk to read.
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Theory of Opposites in Books
Feb 13, 2018
Willa Chandler-Golden grew up in the shadow of her famous father, a renowned scientist and self-help author whose advice about just leading your life and giving into your fate has basically taken over Willa's entire life. Case in point: she is actually named William, since she was "supposed" to be a boy and her father assumed it was her fate to be named William. Willa is now married, but her life seems to be falling apart at the seams - she's been let go from her job and her husband, Shawn, wants a "break" from their seemingly happily married life. Willa needs to decide if she's really on board with her Dad's laissez faire theory, or if she's ready to take charge of her own life.
I stumbled across this book on the library's ebook website and it was basically exactly what I wanted/expected - a simple, fun, easy read. Willa is a frustrating character at times - girl has absolutely no ability to stand up for herself or take charge of her life sometimes! However, as you get to know her family, it does make a little sense. The book is silly at times and a little crazy and fantastical, but it's fun, and the outcome isn't entirely predictable. A good, quick read.
I stumbled across this book on the library's ebook website and it was basically exactly what I wanted/expected - a simple, fun, easy read. Willa is a frustrating character at times - girl has absolutely no ability to stand up for herself or take charge of her life sometimes! However, as you get to know her family, it does make a little sense. The book is silly at times and a little crazy and fantastical, but it's fun, and the outcome isn't entirely predictable. A good, quick read.