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Becs (244 KP) rated Garden of Ashes in Books
Apr 11, 2019
Overall - an amazing story (1 more)
Background was added
There were a few plot holes (1 more)
Something was lacking but I'm not sure what
Thrilling!
You can also find this review on my blog: bookingwayreads.wordpress.com
I received a copy of Garden of Ashes (book 2 of the Snow Spark series) to read and review for my honest opinion from The Parliament Press.
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Gore, Oppression, Violence, Discrimination
This little novel carried a good left hook. It picks up right where The Bone Roses left off and really delves into the background of a few characters. The story still is geared toward a mature audience, especially with Garden of Ashes so beware of more graphic scenes when reading.
Starting where we left off, Rags has been caught and is now on a train with Colton and Nigel to the Kingdom. More specifically, the Threshing Floor. This is not any place for a rustler, or really anybody for that matter. Just think cattle herding but with humans and loads of death. That's what you get when dealing with the Threshing Floor. The major problem with the non-bowing criminals who go in, they never come out and are never seen again.
Rags is given only two options - either bow to the Kingdom and Hyperion or face death. Using everything she has to survive, she is forced to play the twisted rigged game that the Kingdom has laid out. Luckily, she has the help of Henny and Colton, who both stand by her side helping shape her into the Kingdom's standards and also giving her opportunities to remain a rustler at heart.
The overall story had me reeled, but I also felt like something was lacking a tad bit. I have no idea what that bit that is missing is but you could just tell that the story was lacking in places. There was plot, as it continued on from book 1, and new characters were introduced with a small bit of background on them that eventually came to light later on down the road. Drama upon drama was interlaced into the story-line and really kept the reader engaged with the story as a whole.
Characters:
Rags - stubborn and yet sympathetic, able to get in and out of trouble, and very realistic.
Henny - the smol angry cinnamonroll we all thought was going to be the person to cause Rags' death has turned to be an ally. Maybe even a possible love interest to Rags?
Colton - still a sarcastic green-eyed red head as he was in book 1. He was there to help Rags stay out of trouble and seemed to become more friends with Rags then a possible love interest.
Hyperion - the complete a** of a king that wants everyone to worship him.
Sahrobi - Hyperion's sadistic murder loving daughter that honestly needs to be in a psych ward cause she got some problems!
Margo - Sahrobi's husband, as cruel and sadistic as Sahrobi also got some problems. Thank goodness he got his a** handed to him in the end.
Ethan and Ali - two slaves that Rags helps saves and cares for while in the Threshing Floor.
Rosemary - a slave that is in debt to the Kingdom, possible relation to Rags?
Reasons why I rated it 4 stars:
1. It was lacking something and I can't put my finger on it.
2. Grammar and spelling seemed to be great!
3. There were a few plot holes while reading, but that could be because I feel asleep during reading and lost where I was at.
4. There was background added to some of the characters, but there wasn't as much that really needed to be added.
5. The overall story was amazing and really added to the story that took place in The Bone Roses. I will defiantly be rereading!
"False hope is worse than no hope on a good day."
I received a copy of Garden of Ashes (book 2 of the Snow Spark series) to read and review for my honest opinion from The Parliament Press.
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Gore, Oppression, Violence, Discrimination
This little novel carried a good left hook. It picks up right where The Bone Roses left off and really delves into the background of a few characters. The story still is geared toward a mature audience, especially with Garden of Ashes so beware of more graphic scenes when reading.
Starting where we left off, Rags has been caught and is now on a train with Colton and Nigel to the Kingdom. More specifically, the Threshing Floor. This is not any place for a rustler, or really anybody for that matter. Just think cattle herding but with humans and loads of death. That's what you get when dealing with the Threshing Floor. The major problem with the non-bowing criminals who go in, they never come out and are never seen again.
Rags is given only two options - either bow to the Kingdom and Hyperion or face death. Using everything she has to survive, she is forced to play the twisted rigged game that the Kingdom has laid out. Luckily, she has the help of Henny and Colton, who both stand by her side helping shape her into the Kingdom's standards and also giving her opportunities to remain a rustler at heart.
The overall story had me reeled, but I also felt like something was lacking a tad bit. I have no idea what that bit that is missing is but you could just tell that the story was lacking in places. There was plot, as it continued on from book 1, and new characters were introduced with a small bit of background on them that eventually came to light later on down the road. Drama upon drama was interlaced into the story-line and really kept the reader engaged with the story as a whole.
Characters:
Rags - stubborn and yet sympathetic, able to get in and out of trouble, and very realistic.
Henny - the smol angry cinnamonroll we all thought was going to be the person to cause Rags' death has turned to be an ally. Maybe even a possible love interest to Rags?
Colton - still a sarcastic green-eyed red head as he was in book 1. He was there to help Rags stay out of trouble and seemed to become more friends with Rags then a possible love interest.
Hyperion - the complete a** of a king that wants everyone to worship him.
Sahrobi - Hyperion's sadistic murder loving daughter that honestly needs to be in a psych ward cause she got some problems!
Margo - Sahrobi's husband, as cruel and sadistic as Sahrobi also got some problems. Thank goodness he got his a** handed to him in the end.
Ethan and Ali - two slaves that Rags helps saves and cares for while in the Threshing Floor.
Rosemary - a slave that is in debt to the Kingdom, possible relation to Rags?
Reasons why I rated it 4 stars:
1. It was lacking something and I can't put my finger on it.
2. Grammar and spelling seemed to be great!
3. There were a few plot holes while reading, but that could be because I feel asleep during reading and lost where I was at.
4. There was background added to some of the characters, but there wasn't as much that really needed to be added.
5. The overall story was amazing and really added to the story that took place in The Bone Roses. I will defiantly be rereading!
"False hope is worse than no hope on a good day."
March of Empires
Games and Social Networking
4.0
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Brace yourself for an age of massive medieval war, where you will march over your rivals’ burning...
graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated Fortune's Fool (Five Hundred Kingdoms, #3) in Books
Feb 15, 2019
As much as I enjoyed the previous two books, I think that this is my favorite of the three. But maybe if I read the others again, I'd change my mind - each time I read one of them! :P Again the book is much better than the synopsis on the book has you believe - they're always a bit misleading or incorrect.
The characters and settings just came to life and the love story was lovely between Katya and Sasha. Yes, the love scene didn't seem like it fit into the book, but the rest was so great I'll forgive that part. The secondary characters just added to the whole story, and I wish that I could visit with them again, even though I know it'll be a different kingdom in the next book. Oh well, I'm sure I'll love any book that Ms. Lackey writes in the Five Hundred Kingdoms Series. :)
The characters and settings just came to life and the love story was lovely between Katya and Sasha. Yes, the love scene didn't seem like it fit into the book, but the rest was so great I'll forgive that part. The secondary characters just added to the whole story, and I wish that I could visit with them again, even though I know it'll be a different kingdom in the next book. Oh well, I'm sure I'll love any book that Ms. Lackey writes in the Five Hundred Kingdoms Series. :)
Hilary Westfield takes on Captain Blacktooth one last time, this time for leadership of the Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates. However, there is much more at stake since the Mutineers are plotting once again to take over the kingdom, and this fight might be the only way to stop them. But can Hilary rustle up any kind of pirate crew for the battle?
While I knew the broad outline of the story early on, I had a wonderful time getting to the end. The characters are charming, and the plot moves quickly with a few surprises along the way. I could hardly put the book down. I also loved the humor of the book. I’m sorry to see this series end, but I’m so glad I found it.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/09/book-review-buccaneers-code-by-caroline.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
While I knew the broad outline of the story early on, I had a wonderful time getting to the end. The characters are charming, and the plot moves quickly with a few surprises along the way. I could hardly put the book down. I also loved the humor of the book. I’m sorry to see this series end, but I’m so glad I found it.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/09/book-review-buccaneers-code-by-caroline.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Rebecca Billcliff (2409 KP) rated The Dragon Prince - Season 1 in TV
Nov 24, 2019
Amazing Series
Humans have killed the Lord of Dragons with their Dark Magic, and a war between them and the Elves has resulted in fear, bitterness, and prejudice on both sides.
The young princes of the human kingdom discover that the only egg of the Lord of Dragons was not destroyed, but kept hidden, now embark on a quest, together with an elf, to return the egg to its mother, and hopefully, put an end to the fighting that has claimed so many lives.
Cute, witty and heartfelt, the creators of Avatar, the Last Airbender, have made another absolute gem! This one is suitable for kids, as well as animation loving adults. It explores themes of ignorance, loyalty, open mindedness and loss, in a deep and also funny way.
The third series has just come onto Netflix, and I can not wait to het started!!!!
The young princes of the human kingdom discover that the only egg of the Lord of Dragons was not destroyed, but kept hidden, now embark on a quest, together with an elf, to return the egg to its mother, and hopefully, put an end to the fighting that has claimed so many lives.
Cute, witty and heartfelt, the creators of Avatar, the Last Airbender, have made another absolute gem! This one is suitable for kids, as well as animation loving adults. It explores themes of ignorance, loyalty, open mindedness and loss, in a deep and also funny way.
The third series has just come onto Netflix, and I can not wait to het started!!!!
lurkykitty (3 KP) rated The Queen's Assassin in Books
Mar 26, 2020
Fantasy/romance for the younger YA reader
The Queen's Assassin is a fantasy romance geared toward the younger YA reader. It is told from the first person perspective of Shadow, who has grown up with her aunts and wants to join the Guild, an association of assassins and spies, and the third person perspective of Cal, the Queen of Renovia's assassin, dangerous, feared and highly trained. When Shadow is told she has to serve as a lady of the court to fulfil her duty, she rebels, runs away and liberates Cal, who has been imprisoned. She tells him the Queen has ordered her to become his apprentice. Together they work undercover in a neighboring kingdom to identify a dangerous enemy of Renovia. The story and characters were enjoyable, but I wish there had been less emphasis on the romance and more on the magic system. It was good, but not great.
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