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A SILVERY MOON is the first book in the Legends of Elessia series and it took me back to the Forgotten Realms and the Dragonlance Chronicles. I only mean this as a compliment as I loved those books.

Lucius is a monster-hunting priest and befriends a mine owner as he travels to Galm to speak with the priest there. Unfortunately, that priest is dead and Lucius is afraid the rest of the town will soon follow.

This was a wonderful old-style fantasy that kept me turning the pages as I got lost in their adventures. The characters are all easily identifiable and have their own quirks and foibles. The pacing kept the story moving along whilst not rushing, giving me a chance to savour what was unfolding before me.

A great start to the series, I look forward to continuing this story and have no hesitation in recommending it.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* 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!
  
14 of 235
Kindle
Witch’s Storm ( The Bone Coven Chronicles #2)
By Jenna Wolfhart
⭐️⭐️

As a new Enforcer for the Bone Coven, I protect humans from supernatural assaults with the help of my sexy half-warlock, half-vampire partner. But when my latest investigation reveals a string of gruesome mage deaths, it seems there's a serial killer targeting us instead of them.

To make matters worse, demons immune to my coven's spells are now prowling the city streets hunting for prey. Their strength is growing, and they have their sights set on destroying the veil that protects our realm from theirs.

There's only one way to stop the killer and banish the demons once and for all. I must finally give into the dark magic that simmers deep within me, threatening to destroy my soul.

But will the world survive if I do?

This was not a book I enjoyed and I really hate giving 1 stars. It was badly written in place and repetitive the tension between the two main characters was strange. I just couldn’t get on with it. The characters and storyline became annoying. And what the hell is slayervill
  
Midnight Captive (Bonded By Blood Vampire Chronicles #2)
Midnight Captive (Bonded By Blood Vampire Chronicles #2)
Arial Burnz | 2013 | Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The second book in the Bonded by Blood Chronicles concentrates on Cailin, the daughter of Davina. She is now fully grown and promised to James, although she hasn't seen him for a few years as he has been in Germany at a Fencing School. Things have been quiet with Angus but all that is about to change.

This book was quite humorous as Cailin tries to be the 'dutiful wife' that she thinks James wants, whereas he can't figure out what is wrong with her! When Cailin is kidnapped, James is thankful that she isn't some wilting willow and does all he can to get her back safe and sound.

Broderick does his own thing, and the prophecy becomes clearer, and at the same time, more confusing as actions, together with layer upon layer of meaning, are laid out for the reader.

Well written, with a smooth and easy pace, I thoroughly enjoyed the story of Cailin and James. Definitely recommended.

* 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!
Apr 24, 2016
  
Cinder
Cinder
Marissa Meyer | 2012 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.5 (96 Ratings)
Book Rating
Cinder is a cyborg, looked down on by society and that's by the one's who can even bring themselves to look at her. A gifted mechanic, she spends her days as a ward of her widowed stepmother in a market booth, mending communications systems and other devices - ipads of the future. The Lunar Chronicles are set in a future where the world has come out of it's 4th world war, the planet is battle scared and it's people are battling Letumosis; a plague with no cure. On an otherwise seemingly normal day, 2 things happen in Cinder's life that will start her down a dangerous path. Firstly a visit from a disguised Prince Kai, searching her out to fix his broken droid and secondly another market worker being struck with the plague. Rather than sit out the quarantine, Cinder makes off from the market with the prince's android in tow, a decision which has far reaching consequences for those that Cinder then comes into contact with. A series of events then start unravelling everything that Cinder has ever known about herself and what she thought her future held, can she make it to the ball on time and get to the charming prince?

The Lunar Chronicles is a series that I have had my eye on for ages, so on a whim I picked it up from the bookshop and I am so glad I did. Far from a traditional reimagining of the Cinderella tale, this does have a few nods to the source material, some glaring and others more subtle, but is very much it's own unique story. I could not put it down, it was an light and easy read for me, a ton of content but non of it weighty or overly complicated, which many parts of the story could have been. It's a world full of strong characters and in this instance I felt a pang of sympathy for the "wicked" stepmother, although it's clear that the big bad in this incarnation is the Lunar Queen Levana rather than Cinders adopted family.

I was hoping that Cinders story would be wrapped up in this episode but it becomes clear that hers will be an overarching story in how these books play out, so I'm off to get Scarlett (book 2) as soon as i'm able. This is a perfectly paced story with lots of twists and foundations being laid for future books in the series, characters that you will love and hate and heart stopping moments that will keep you turning page after page.
  
The Outcasts (Brotherband Chronicles, #1)
The Outcasts (Brotherband Chronicles, #1)
John Flanagan | 2012 | Children
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
<i>I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.</i>

<i>The Outcasts</i> is the first book in the <i>Brotherband Chronicles</i> about teenaged Hal and his small team of misfit friends. Set in times when to be a warrior and be part of a crew on a wooden ship were some of the highest honours, all boys when approaching the age of sixteen have to endure months of exhausting training. The popular boys form together Brotherbands containing the candidates with the most potential leaving Hal and seven other social outcasts to form the final group: the Herons.

Despite their severe disadvantage, Hal must encourage the Herons to use their brains to outwit the strength of the other Brotherbands in order to defeat them at the challenges the instructors set and become the ultimate winners.

Hal is instantly a likeable character. He is talented, intelligent, kind and thoughtful and makes an excellent and inspiring team leader. Although this book is set in a fictional historical period, there are many things that a young reader can relate to, for example bullying and racial discrimination.

As well as the Brotherband training there is a lot of ship and sailing references that may appeal to male readers of a certain age. The author, John Flanagan, realizes that many people today would not be familiar with the ins and outs of sailing and has included a glossary explaining numerous nautical terms that are used during the novel. These are defined in an easy to understand way, as the target audience is those of ages ten and upwards.

There are a limited amount of female characters, which suggests that these chronicles are written with male teenage readers in mind. Despite this it is still an enjoyable, exciting book regardless of your gender. The character developments are excellent and the Herons are an admirable team.

Initially it took a while to get into the story. The reader does not meet Hal until part two of four as it begins twelve years prior to the main timeline. Throughout this section the only characters are adults, which the target audience is less likely to relate to. For this reason, and due to some of the violence, I personally would recommend this book for ages thirteen and older rather than the “10+” suggested on the back cover.

Overall <i>Brotherband: The Outcasts</i> is a brilliant book and it was refreshing for a young adult novel not to revolve around a romantic relationship. The next book in the series looks as promising as the first, which has left us wanting to know more!