Smashbomb

Search

Search results

All (284)

Content

Lee Ann (116 KP) rated City of the Lost (Casey Duncan, #1) in Books

Mar 13, 2018

Anyone who writes usually has authors that they can point at and say "If I can ever be compared with them, I'll be happy." For me, I don't look at the authors who are defined as the classics - Austen, Shelley, etc - I look at Kelley Armstrong. If anyone ever compares anything I've written to something of hers, I think I'll die happy.

Every genre this woman turns her hand to she excels in. From her Women of the Otherworld Urban Fantasy Series, to her YA Darkest Powers, her Sea of Shadows fantasy, the crime fiction of Nadia Stafford, the Cainsville series (oh how I love you and am dying for the final book!) and this, the Casey Duncan series. I swear I haven't read a book by Kelley that I haven't instantly become invested in the storyline and the characters.

City of the Lost is written in Kelley's typical style - honest, detailed without being overloading, intricate and fascinating. Her characters just jump off the page with their realism. There is no perfect person, they are flawed and human. She twists and turns the plot with a skill that I'm in awe of. And just when you think you have it figured out, she throws in a twist you didn't see coming and the ride just keeps on moving.

Can't wat for the next book in this series. Long live Kelley Armstrong!

Kudos

Acanthea Grimscythe (300 KP) rated Looking for Dei in Books

Jun 10, 2018 (Updated Jan 18, 2019)

Looking for Dei

David A. Willson | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry, Science Fiction/Fantasy

2.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

I hate being the first person to give a book a low rating, but after months of trying, I was unable to finish Looking for Dei. Largely, it's simply not my style. The voice is a little too passive, the story a little too predictable. Then again, my tastes are a bit bloodier and darker than this fantasy novel, and this is yet another pure YA read--like Ghost Slayer, but fantasy rather than paranormal.

I don't feel an attachment to any of the characters, and for me that's a big problem. There's no connection, no wondering what will happen to them and that could be in part because of all the exposition. They simply bore me, for lack of a better word. I don't mean to come off harsh, but I've really been struggling to read this.

Plotwise, its much of the same. Too much of what is going on can be guessed at. The evil characters have no mystery to them. The good characters are always fortunate in what happens to them. It's simply too fantastic in that regard for me.

I'd like to thank the author for providing me with an ARC of his book for the purpose of review. I regret being unable to finish this book, but after three months of trying and putting it down, I simply cannot force-feed it to myself.

Kudos

BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated Storm Siren (Storm Siren #1) in Books

Jan 2, 2019

Storm Siren (Storm Siren #1)

Mary Weber | 2014 | Young Adult (YA)

8.0

(7 Ratings)

Book Rating

Be prepared for a tale full of twists and turns that will knock you off your feet and steal the very breath from your lungs. Infused with the powers of the Elementals Storm Siren has everything a YA Fantasy novel should posses.

Epic battles, devastating loss, search for purpose, simmering romance, bad guys that are the most vicious sort of people and good guys that will sacrifice everything for the good of the people. Nym has totally swept me into her world and I am looking forward to reading the next books in the series (which I was SMART this time around and placed all three books on hold at the same time at my library).

While the elements of faith are not blatantly in your face. I do recognize the threads weaving through the story. The constant battle between good and evil, the enemy being a deceiver, the good sacrificing everything. But maybe most importantly is seeing what is inside ourselves...and recognizing it for the GIFT it is rather than a curse.

If you enjoy Young Adult Fantasy with clean content and decent morals, you should definitely check this series out! Stay tuned for my thoughts on the remainder of the series.

I borrowed a copy of Storm Siren from my local library. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Kudos

Morgan Sheppard (926 KP) created a post

Aug 12, 2023

MARELLA (WRAIDD ELFENNOL #1) is due for re-release on the 1st of September.

If anyone is interested in an ARC then please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/uUTKGwkTYJgyNvhp9

If you read and enjoy and would like to read further in the completed series, please contact me.

Here's the blurb:
In the enchanting world of Wraidd Elfennol, where myths come to life and magic weaves through the very fabric of the island, a youngling’s life is about to be turned upside down.

Marella wants only one thing—to become a Water Weaver, skilled in the arts of scrying. Together with her best friend, Daren, they travel to the main village of Charon to take the Test that will decide their futures.

With her otter Partner, Nixie, by her side, she delves deeper into the traditions that make Wraidd Elfennol what it is. Although only thirteen years old, Marella will have to choose the life path to take with the talents she was born with.

What happens when you don’t get what you wish for?
And what happens if you do?

The Wraidd Elfennol series begins with an enthralling young adult fantasy that will captivate readers as they are transported to a realm where the Elements enchant.

Rewritten and re-released with over 80k words added

#YA
#Epic
#Fantasy
#Myth
#Magic
#FREE on #KU