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Shannon Messenger | 2020 | Children
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Unlock Something Different – and Special – with this Book
This is an unusual release. The first 500 pages are a guide to the world of the Keeper of the Lost Cities series, with character information, info on animals, background on the races, and a few fun activities. The last 250 pages are a “novella” (it is short for this series) and picks up where Legacy, the previous book in the series, left off. It’s not just filler, but it contains lots of plot developments that fans will be glad they read. It splits time between Sophie, the main character, and Keefe, one of her friends who is going through quite a bit here.

If you are new to the series, you really don’t want to start here. Yes, I said guide, but it comes with lots of spoilers for the first eight books in the series. Back up and start at the beginning; it’s worth it. This is more a love letter to fans. If you are a fan, you’ll definitely enjoy the information contained in this book. And the novella will leave you satisfied. It feels like a complete story and made me laugh and cry. Yes, there is another cliffhanger, so now begins the wait for book 9.
  
The Diary: Book One of Cursed
The Diary: Book One of Cursed
S.L. Weiss | 2019 | Paranormal, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
So this is a first in an upcoming series. Reading it kind of gave me a Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets vibe - that's my favorite book in the series by the way. Anyway, two girls named Ana and Sophie come across a new shop that has opened. It sells crystals, some dresses, and spell books. Ana comes across this blank book, a diary, and decides to purchase it and record everything going on in her life - like most teenage girls want to do. I certainly did, and I still do to an extent.

It seems like everything Ana writes in this diary seems to come true - for instance, wanting her friend to finally stop whining about a boy she likes and asks him out. It's pointed out quite a few times how 'out of character' it was for Sophie to ask a boy out. She describes it as an out of body experience where she was watching herself just simply go up to the the boy and ask him on a date.

In a sense of 'be careful what you wish for' in this case it's, 'be careful what you write.' The diary, however, has a mind of its own and it slowly starts to take over Ana.

Does anybody else hear Smeegal's voice and wishing that Ana would once say, 'My Precious!'? No? Okay, I'm really that nerdy, but I don't care. I wear it like a badge of honor.

I won't lie it say it wasn't a tad but cheesy. Almost like watching some parts of it as a Disney show, at least the ones that include someone falling from a Ferris wheel or getting an allergic reaction. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, because it's not overpowering like the new Disney shows these days are, gag me.

The writing style was simplistic and it's one that I liked. It wasn't told from Ana's point of view, which is surprising because most of the YA novels I've read are told from the main character's point of view. It's not a terrible thing, but it's not always the best. In this book, you get more than just Ana's views which is important to a story like this.

The ending did, of course, leave a cliffhanger and a small excerpt for the next book in the series.

All in all, the book was a quick read for the most part. I like the three main characters of the story and I enjoyed how it was written. Can you imagine finding a diary and it making things you write in it come true? The good will come with bad.
  
Dalysian Struggle (Dalysia #2)
Dalysian Struggle (Dalysia #2)
Jamie Summer | 2017 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Dalysian Struggle (Dalysia #2) by Jamie Summer
Dalysian Struggle continues with Sophie as the champion for the Dalysians, even though there are many who doubt her capabilities - including herself! She made it through the test, and now she has to face the Trials, including the Cetoan's and their champion.

This book is a doozy, and it does end on a cliffhanger from hell, so consider this fair warning! The story is intricate, and yet flows easily. The characters are all completely believable, whether you like them or not. The pacing is consistent, and yet you find yourself tensing up as you near the end.

I love where Jamie Summer has taken this story, although she did have me worried there for a while (#TeamRen all the way!). However, being kept constantly on my toes, not knowing where the story was taking me, certainly kept my interest, and I was completely taken with Sophie's story, and what would happen next.

What will happen next? Well, I sit waiting so impatiently for the next book. I need to know what happens next. Absolutely recommended by me.

* 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!