Cyn Armistead (14 KP) rated Blood from Stone (Retrievers, #6) in Books
Mar 1, 2018
<i>Blood From Stone</i> definitely isn't a book to start with if you're new to Gilman's work. The Retrievers series really does need to be read sequentially. If you have read the rest, you know that Gilman has developed a very interesting universe and some very well-developed characters in the series. Book 6 doesn't disappoint at all, and brings the major plot threads to a very satisfactory close. I can't be more specific without real spoilers, though!
I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next novel in the universe, which will focus on Bonnie and the PUPIs (Private, Unaffiliated, Paranormal Investigators). I adore <i>CSI</i>, <i>Bones</i>, <i>NCIS</i> and the like, so I'm curious as to how forensics will work in urban fantasy settings. Jes Battis' <i>A Flash of Hex</i> is supposed to be waiting for me at the library, so by the time I get to <i>Hard Magic</i> I'll have something else to compare it to.
Christine A. (965 KP) rated Unwritten in Books
Nov 30, 2018
Unwritten is about Gracie Freeman and her family. Gracie is a normal twelve year old who discovers she is really a character from an unpublished fairy tale. When her parents discovered she was supposed to die in the story, they took her out of the story, and brought her into the outside world. Gracie is desperate to know what the story says about her and, because of a magic book, is pulled back into the story.
Tara Gilboy offers a charming fantasy in which Gracie desires to find out about herself and what the story's author wrote about her. Is she a hero, the villain, or a minor character? Is she supposed to be good or bad? Can she change or is it predetermined?
Unwritten is a short novel with 198 pages, according to Goodreads, but has a lot of depth to it. Authors meeting their characters or characters coming to life is not a new idea but it's unique in the way the author handles the situation. You'll have to trust me. I do not want to spoil anything.
I would enjoy reading a sequel or from a different character's point of view. Unwritten is Tara GIlboy's debut novel.
MelanieTheresa (997 KP) rated The Rise of Magicks (Chronicles of The One #3) in Books
Dec 16, 2019
The evolution of Fallon's relationship with Duncan was exactly right; I love him for her. In fact, I loved all of the relationships in this story.
When they travel to New York, back to where it all began, I could still picture everything the way it was described in the first book, overlaying the current state of things in my mind. This is great storytelling, in my opinion. I could see Arlys at the news desk next to the corpse of her co-worker. I could see Fred and Arlys traversing the tunnels. I could see a frightened Lana discovering her powers.
There are deaths, of course, because, you know, war. One absolutely heartbreaking death in particular - and the characters' reactions to it - literally brought tears to my eyes.
The emotions throughout this story are so powerful. You can FEEL their triumph, their heartbreak, their joy, their rage.
And, while this is classified as fantasy, the entire story certainly feels like a commentary on modern society, no?
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the ARE!
The Kingdom of Back
9.0
Rate It
Book
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu comes a historical YA fantasy about a musical...
Remnants of Ash (Reign of Fae #1)
8.5
Rate It
Book
Mere mortal. Fae hunter. Oh, and the apocalypse? Yeah, that happened! She's an unstoppable human....
The Vine Witch
7.5
Rate It
Book
A young witch emerges from a curse to find her world upended in this gripping fantasy set in...