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Merissa (14003 KP) rated The Starfolk Arcana (The Starfolk Trilogy #1) by Martha Dunlop in Books
Jul 21, 2022 (Updated Jul 26, 2023)
THE STARFOLK ARCANA is the first book in the Starfolk Trilogy and we are introduced to a contemporary world where Beth has never felt as though she fitted in, due to her gut feelings and intuition. On her birthday, she goes to a TV show that her friend got tickets for. There, she sees a celebrity, Amelia, who speaks a lot of nonsense but nevertheless manages to sway over the audience apart from Beth. It is also there she meets Jonan for the first time. Life is about to get a whole lot more interesting.
I wouldn't call this a romance book, but rather a story with romantic elements. There is a lot of back and forth between Beth and Jonan as they try to work together, past lives and tarot cards notwithstanding. The whole world seems to be under Amelia's spell, and they need to stop it. It is an uphill battle though, as it is easier to give in to fear than to fight it.
Full of twists and turns, you are never completely sure who to trust. I understood Beth's frustration and hope for the general population but I found her blindness to her roommate to be just as irritating for me.
It does end on a bit of a cliffhanger which definitely left me wanting more. A great read I thoroughly enjoyed and have no hesitation in recommending.
** 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!
Jul 11, 2022
I wouldn't call this a romance book, but rather a story with romantic elements. There is a lot of back and forth between Beth and Jonan as they try to work together, past lives and tarot cards notwithstanding. The whole world seems to be under Amelia's spell, and they need to stop it. It is an uphill battle though, as it is easier to give in to fear than to fight it.
Full of twists and turns, you are never completely sure who to trust. I understood Beth's frustration and hope for the general population but I found her blindness to her roommate to be just as irritating for me.
It does end on a bit of a cliffhanger which definitely left me wanting more. A great read I thoroughly enjoyed and have no hesitation in recommending.
** 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!
Jul 11, 2022
Art of War: Red Tides
Games and Entertainment
App
Team up and battle against commanders from all around the world. In Art of War: Red Tides, victory...
Merissa (14003 KP) rated Phoenix Freed (Phoenix #3) in Books
May 8, 2023
This is the bittersweet ending to the Phoenix trilogy. We meet Daughtry and Cody as they are sickeningly (according to un-bonded people) in love, together on a soul level that can't be comprehended by someone not yet bonded. It is a time of quiet, but Daughtry can't relax as she feels like there is still something to come.
Something does come... in the shape of her sister, Alex. To begin with, Daughtry can't remember her, but as she gets memory flashbacks, she understands more and wraps Alex into her life. Alex has had it tough, but she is a survivor. She is also a fantastic character! Yes, she gets hurt by comments and/or actions, but she doesn't just fly off the deep end either. She takes a breath and tries to figure out if her hurt feelings were intentional or not. I loved that!
Along with the story continuing for Daughtry and Cody, we also have stories involving the Dalshie, Alex, John, and Tyler.
WOW, just wow! Phoenix Freed is incredibly well-written, with no editing or grammatical errors that could distract me. The story flows, the tension builds, there is happiness, there is sadness, and there is horror where your breath catches in your throat.
Although this is the end of this series, I am seriously hoping for some more in the LexTal Chronicles to go alongside Mason and Gabby's story. I don't think I'm quite ready to leave their world yet! Highly recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
July 5, 2016
Something does come... in the shape of her sister, Alex. To begin with, Daughtry can't remember her, but as she gets memory flashbacks, she understands more and wraps Alex into her life. Alex has had it tough, but she is a survivor. She is also a fantastic character! Yes, she gets hurt by comments and/or actions, but she doesn't just fly off the deep end either. She takes a breath and tries to figure out if her hurt feelings were intentional or not. I loved that!
Along with the story continuing for Daughtry and Cody, we also have stories involving the Dalshie, Alex, John, and Tyler.
WOW, just wow! Phoenix Freed is incredibly well-written, with no editing or grammatical errors that could distract me. The story flows, the tension builds, there is happiness, there is sadness, and there is horror where your breath catches in your throat.
Although this is the end of this series, I am seriously hoping for some more in the LexTal Chronicles to go alongside Mason and Gabby's story. I don't think I'm quite ready to leave their world yet! Highly recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
July 5, 2016
Debbiereadsbook (1753 KP) rated Crystal Blade (Paladins of Crystal #2) in Books
Oct 13, 2023
Write quicker, Ms Cameron, write QUICKER!!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarain, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 2 in the Paladins of Crystal series, and it cannot CANNOT be read as a stand alone. It picks up immediately after book one, Crystal Shard, finishes.
It picks you up, and drags you along for such a ride!
We learn more about this world and the people in it. Their ways and politics, their rules and traditions. And we learn more about Crystal, and her birth and what happened all those years ago.
It drags you, kicking and screaming, through history, through drama, through the beginnings of love between Crystal and her Buff Lords, and possibly it might all end in death for one and all.
The romance that didn't happen in book 1 begins here. Granted, it comes in single and double instalments, but the group scenes haven't happened, YET!
I loved Crystal's strength. She gets wrung through the wringer here, and she just takes it all in her stride. A great skill for a budding empress!
And again!! Oh my god, this author is gonna kill me, she really is!
Massive cliff hanger, people, MAHOOSIVE cliff hanger, that I kinda saw coming, but really hoped that Crystal might just get her Buff Lords in her bed! But no. Cameron decided to throw another freaking spanner in the works, and now we gotta wait!
How long, though?? That is the big question. There is a bit about that at the end of this book. Apparently, if I threaten to camp outside the author's door, she might write the nexxt book a bit quicker! So, that's what I'm-a gonna do!!
Cos I need, NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED book three, yesterday!!
5 full and shiny stars, more if I could!!
Write quicker, Ms Cameron, write QUICKER!!
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 2 in the Paladins of Crystal series, and it cannot CANNOT be read as a stand alone. It picks up immediately after book one, Crystal Shard, finishes.
It picks you up, and drags you along for such a ride!
We learn more about this world and the people in it. Their ways and politics, their rules and traditions. And we learn more about Crystal, and her birth and what happened all those years ago.
It drags you, kicking and screaming, through history, through drama, through the beginnings of love between Crystal and her Buff Lords, and possibly it might all end in death for one and all.
The romance that didn't happen in book 1 begins here. Granted, it comes in single and double instalments, but the group scenes haven't happened, YET!
I loved Crystal's strength. She gets wrung through the wringer here, and she just takes it all in her stride. A great skill for a budding empress!
And again!! Oh my god, this author is gonna kill me, she really is!
Massive cliff hanger, people, MAHOOSIVE cliff hanger, that I kinda saw coming, but really hoped that Crystal might just get her Buff Lords in her bed! But no. Cameron decided to throw another freaking spanner in the works, and now we gotta wait!
How long, though?? That is the big question. There is a bit about that at the end of this book. Apparently, if I threaten to camp outside the author's door, she might write the nexxt book a bit quicker! So, that's what I'm-a gonna do!!
Cos I need, NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED book three, yesterday!!
5 full and shiny stars, more if I could!!
Write quicker, Ms Cameron, write QUICKER!!
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Lottie disney bookworm (1056 KP) rated Adele: The Forgotten Sister of Fred Astaire in Books
May 16, 2020
Thank you to Booksirens for sending me an advance review copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I was intrigued by Adele when I first applied for an ARC: it isn't my usual kind of read but although I have heard of Fred Astaire (mainly from my grandma) I didn't know anything about his sister Adele, so I decided to give the book a go. Wow I am glad I did!
Nicola Cassidy brings the Astaires to life through her amazing writing. The majority of the novel is told from Adele's perspective: starting from when she is just a child. Cassidy, in turn, writes in a childish, conversationalist prose with this becoming steadily more mature along with our protagonist . By presenting Adele's life through her own eyes the reader feels her pain intensely: particularly towards the end of the novel. I'm not ashamed to say I was openly weeping at certain points.
Some critics may say that anyone can take a universally emotive topic and make you cry during a story. Well Cassidy goes one step further: through the character of Adele's father and the contrasting relationship she has with her mother and brother, the reader also witnesses the overwhelming feeling of absence- almost numbness towards the patriarchal figure. Similarly we also feel apprehension when we can recognise history repeating itself before Adele does: we can predict that this ending will not be an altogether happy one and it is this foresight and empathy that Nicola Cassidy creates which is unparalleled with any other book I have read recently.
Adele (the novel and the character) has glitz, glamour, heartache and inspiration. However, the novel has a steadying undertone with the changing effect of World War Two and the presence of several working class, dedicated women at the heart of the story.
Nowadays, it may be Fred Astaire who springs to mind but it was Adele who paved the way: it's about time she was given the chance to step out from her brother's shadow and regain the spotlight once again.
I was intrigued by Adele when I first applied for an ARC: it isn't my usual kind of read but although I have heard of Fred Astaire (mainly from my grandma) I didn't know anything about his sister Adele, so I decided to give the book a go. Wow I am glad I did!
Nicola Cassidy brings the Astaires to life through her amazing writing. The majority of the novel is told from Adele's perspective: starting from when she is just a child. Cassidy, in turn, writes in a childish, conversationalist prose with this becoming steadily more mature along with our protagonist . By presenting Adele's life through her own eyes the reader feels her pain intensely: particularly towards the end of the novel. I'm not ashamed to say I was openly weeping at certain points.
Some critics may say that anyone can take a universally emotive topic and make you cry during a story. Well Cassidy goes one step further: through the character of Adele's father and the contrasting relationship she has with her mother and brother, the reader also witnesses the overwhelming feeling of absence- almost numbness towards the patriarchal figure. Similarly we also feel apprehension when we can recognise history repeating itself before Adele does: we can predict that this ending will not be an altogether happy one and it is this foresight and empathy that Nicola Cassidy creates which is unparalleled with any other book I have read recently.
Adele (the novel and the character) has glitz, glamour, heartache and inspiration. However, the novel has a steadying undertone with the changing effect of World War Two and the presence of several working class, dedicated women at the heart of the story.
Nowadays, it may be Fred Astaire who springs to mind but it was Adele who paved the way: it's about time she was given the chance to step out from her brother's shadow and regain the spotlight once again.
CARROT Weather
Weather and Utilities
9.0
Rate It
App
CARROT Weather is a crazy-powerful weather app that delivers hilariously twisted forecasts. **...
Merissa (14003 KP) rated Raiventon (Gen-Heirs: The Guardians of Sziveria #2) in Books
Aug 9, 2021
RAIVENTON is the second book in the Gen-Heirs: The Guardians of Sziveria series and we move onto Raina and Kevin. They have been married for years but don't have what you might call a conventional marriage!
Kevin has his team and is with them a lot of the time. During his absence, Raina has been striking out on her own, trying to get out from under her father's thumb. Unfortunately, her naivety brings about her downfall, with the not-so-nice Shield Guardian Enbrackon 'helping' her along.
Wow, this series just keeps getting better! I'm sorry Kat and Sean, but it's true! Whilst I loved your book, this one edges it. Maybe because I'm now used to this world. Maybe it's because I really, REALLY, don't like Enbrackon and loved him not getting his way. Maybe it's seeing Kevin and Raina fall in love and her finally being able to show her strengths. I don't know. All I do know is I read this book from beginning to end, losing myself in their world.
The intrigue continues and I am loving every word. Kevin, Mason, Sean, and Katria may be a team when they go on a mission, but they have a team already at home, and I am loving the additions to it with each story.
A fantastic story set in a world I am loving. I have no hesitation in recommending this book, or the series, and I really can't wait for book 3. Bring it on!
** 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!
Kevin has his team and is with them a lot of the time. During his absence, Raina has been striking out on her own, trying to get out from under her father's thumb. Unfortunately, her naivety brings about her downfall, with the not-so-nice Shield Guardian Enbrackon 'helping' her along.
Wow, this series just keeps getting better! I'm sorry Kat and Sean, but it's true! Whilst I loved your book, this one edges it. Maybe because I'm now used to this world. Maybe it's because I really, REALLY, don't like Enbrackon and loved him not getting his way. Maybe it's seeing Kevin and Raina fall in love and her finally being able to show her strengths. I don't know. All I do know is I read this book from beginning to end, losing myself in their world.
The intrigue continues and I am loving every word. Kevin, Mason, Sean, and Katria may be a team when they go on a mission, but they have a team already at home, and I am loving the additions to it with each story.
A fantastic story set in a world I am loving. I have no hesitation in recommending this book, or the series, and I really can't wait for book 3. Bring it on!
** 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!
Wicked Weeds: A Novel
Pedro Cabiya and Jessica Powell
Book
A Caribbean zombie, smart, gentlemanly, financially independent and a top executive in an important...
Science fiction
Book Divas (227 KP) rated Trust (Between the Lions #1) in Books
Dec 12, 2017 (Updated Dec 12, 2017)
I received a free ebook copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I made no guarantee of a favorable review.
If you love reading about Egyptian deities and stories about the Alexandria library then this book is for you. If you enjoy reading about shape shifters then this book is also for you.
Anna doesn't go to school nor has any friends. The only person in her life is her mother Kali who teaches Anna about history, languages, and art among other subjects. Then Kali meets Patrick and his son Clayton but a happily ever after is not meant to be and in the blink of an eye a devastating occurrence changes everything and thrusts Anna into a world she never knew existed where she meets her grandmother, Cax and the guardians. Yes, there are grammatical errors throughout the book but it is still an amazing read. The author weaved a magical web with beautiful characters and vivid imagery and I am eagerly anticipating book two.
I will end this review with one of my favorite quotes in this book; "The day will come when their descendants will weep for what was done here."
If you love reading about Egyptian deities and stories about the Alexandria library then this book is for you. If you enjoy reading about shape shifters then this book is also for you.
Anna doesn't go to school nor has any friends. The only person in her life is her mother Kali who teaches Anna about history, languages, and art among other subjects. Then Kali meets Patrick and his son Clayton but a happily ever after is not meant to be and in the blink of an eye a devastating occurrence changes everything and thrusts Anna into a world she never knew existed where she meets her grandmother, Cax and the guardians. Yes, there are grammatical errors throughout the book but it is still an amazing read. The author weaved a magical web with beautiful characters and vivid imagery and I am eagerly anticipating book two.
I will end this review with one of my favorite quotes in this book; "The day will come when their descendants will weep for what was done here."
Hazel (1853 KP) rated In Picardy's Fields in Books
Nov 27, 2020
Told from two perspectives, In Picardy's Fields is the story of two brave young women during the First World War. Set mostly in France, the two women put gender stereotypes to one side to help the allied soldiers. Baroness Agnès de Saint-Aubin, a young surgeon from Paris, follows her teacher, Dr Alan Bell, to the Château de Dragoncourt on the front lines in Picardy to help her friends, Jacques and Elle de Dragoncourt care for the injured soldiers. Meanwhile, the youngest Dragoncourt child, Madeleine, is determined to escape from her finishing school in Switzerland to play her part in the war effort.
The author, Hannah Byron, accurately describes the devastation and dangers the characters faced both in Paris and at the front. Flowing seamlessly from scene to scene, Byron paints a dark picture of life in wartorn France at the same time as weaving a captivating story. Agnès is a reticent but strong woman, a stark contrast from the stuck-up Madeleine, used to getting her way. Yet both characters develop, forced to face horrifying circumstances. While Agnès becomes more confident, Madeleine uses her head-strong determination to secretly help the allied soldiers, even if it means putting herself in danger.
Whilst the war is the main feature of the novel, the author weaves themes of friendship and romance into the narrative. Although only two people narrate the story, In Picardy's Fields shows the importance of working together and putting aside prejudices. The undercurrent of a developing romance brings a sense of hope that everything will end happily, yet the reader also knows nothing is safe during wartime. With each turn of the page, disaster could befall the characters, which makes for a gripping read.
Hannah Byron admits she is not a medic or war expert, yet she undertook extensive research to make In Picardy's Fields as accurate as possible. She also confesses it is unlikely a female doctor went to the front lines, yet as a work of fiction, this does not matter, especially as Agnès's profession is key to the story.
Authors have written novels about the World Wars ad nauseum to the point that writing an original story seems impossible, but Hannah Byron proves this assumption wrong. In Picardy's Fields feels almost modern in some respects, despite being set in the 1910s, which adds a freshness to the story. These women, these characters are just like you and me, living in a time we could not possibly understand.
In Picardy's Fields is a fantastic debut novel and Hannah Byron is a writer to keep an eye on.
The author, Hannah Byron, accurately describes the devastation and dangers the characters faced both in Paris and at the front. Flowing seamlessly from scene to scene, Byron paints a dark picture of life in wartorn France at the same time as weaving a captivating story. Agnès is a reticent but strong woman, a stark contrast from the stuck-up Madeleine, used to getting her way. Yet both characters develop, forced to face horrifying circumstances. While Agnès becomes more confident, Madeleine uses her head-strong determination to secretly help the allied soldiers, even if it means putting herself in danger.
Whilst the war is the main feature of the novel, the author weaves themes of friendship and romance into the narrative. Although only two people narrate the story, In Picardy's Fields shows the importance of working together and putting aside prejudices. The undercurrent of a developing romance brings a sense of hope that everything will end happily, yet the reader also knows nothing is safe during wartime. With each turn of the page, disaster could befall the characters, which makes for a gripping read.
Hannah Byron admits she is not a medic or war expert, yet she undertook extensive research to make In Picardy's Fields as accurate as possible. She also confesses it is unlikely a female doctor went to the front lines, yet as a work of fiction, this does not matter, especially as Agnès's profession is key to the story.
Authors have written novels about the World Wars ad nauseum to the point that writing an original story seems impossible, but Hannah Byron proves this assumption wrong. In Picardy's Fields feels almost modern in some respects, despite being set in the 1910s, which adds a freshness to the story. These women, these characters are just like you and me, living in a time we could not possibly understand.
In Picardy's Fields is a fantastic debut novel and Hannah Byron is a writer to keep an eye on.