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The Shattered Realm of Ardor Benn
The Shattered Realm of Ardor Benn
Tyler Whitesides | 2020 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Fantastic fantasy heist follow-up
I received an advance copy of this book from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
The second Ardor Benn book is another epic tale of the ruse artist taking on the royal family. The first book saw Ard's efforts depose the current king and save the dragon race (and hence the world). Sadly, the replacement royalty is no better and the Great Chain is now scattered into different, warring islands. Ard finds himself embroiled in a plot to unearth the conspiracy that the new king's dead nephew, and the rightful heir, is not actually dead.
There is also an interesting new subplot where we see a university professor tasked with discovering new Grit types (the world's magic system, whereby different materials once digested and fired by a dragon produce different magical results). This angle, like the industrial/medical revolution is surprisingly thrilling, with additional intrigue as the results become the interests of some unsavoury characters.
Ard and Raek are once again superb and quickly put together a plot to infiltrate a secret criminal underworld and discover the whereabouts of the true king. The secrecy and plotting, and use of the world's magic makes for some excellent exciting passages.
There are the usual twists and turns along the way, as the security measures in place in the secret society make it hard for Ard to progress too quickly.
As with the first book, the true nature of this strange world is unveiled a little more over the course of the book in spectacular fashion.
A wonderful fun read.
  
The Beatles (White Album) by The Beatles
The Beatles (White Album) by The Beatles
1968 | Pop, Rock
9.0 (14 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"The thing about The Beatles, whether or not you think they’re good, as an introduction into like pop music, experimental music and avant garde music, it’s literally like every album is one of those text books you had at school, Beatles 1, then Beatles 2, then you’re ready to more on to Beatles 3. There’s some of their records that with hindsight weren’t particularly interesting, but The White Album is kind of mad. Often you remember it as better than it is, but as a product of what’s possible in terms of releasing music as a hugely popular band, what you can do if you want to do it, I think it’s a really brilliant thing. Without them having done that, someone else would have had to make that idea a reality for the world of music. And it’s got some really good tracks on it! I do think it’s becoming more and more acceptable to dislike the Beatles and that’s what I’m saying – you can totally not like them, but you’ll struggle to find another band that will teach you about music in such a beautiful way. The curious thing about The Beatles, speaking as a musician, is that everything you thought was magic, isn’t magic. They had press and radio people, people to create this event when they arrived in America, it wasn’t this spontaneous thing. I remember watching the Beatles anthology when it came out and finding it incredible, then I watched it recently and it feels really horrible. And you know that they themselves weren’t necessarily nice people, I feel duped!"

Source
  
Red and Her Wolf  (Kingdom Seires #3)
Red and Her Wolf (Kingdom Seires #3)
Marie Hall | 2012 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
199 of 200
Kindle
Red and her Wolf ( Kingdom book 3)
By Marie Hall

Long ago there lived a beautiful child. Her name was Violet. Fair of skin, with blonde hair and large blue eyes. Born of wild magic, she was a woman with a child's heart. Innocent and lovely, but not at all what she seemed--you see Violet went by another name: The Heartsong.

She was the child of fairy magic, the physical manifestation of all fae kinds unbridled power. Cosseted and pampered, she grew up in isolation, never knowing who she really was, or why there were those who'd seek to harm her.

Ewan of the Blackfoot Clan is a wolf with a problem. He's been sent to kill the Heartsong, but the moment he lays eyes on the blonde beauty he knows he'll defy the evil fae he works for to claim Violet as his own.

This is the tale of Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf, as it really happened...

This is not an erotica, just a good old fashioned romance.



Think this is my favourite so far. A twisted retelling of Little Red Riding Hood and it was so good! I love my fairytales and always sort of cringe when they are redone I like how Marie Hall tells her version of these tales. I enjoyed the first two and this one so far was definitely my favourite giving Red a whole new look and purpose! I’d love a big bad wolf of they came like Ewan. Was also nice to pop in on Alice and the Hatter!!
  
Fire Magic (Abnormals Underground #2)
Fire Magic (Abnormals Underground #2)
Holly Hook | 2020 | Fiction & Poetry, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
103 of 200
Kindle
Fire magic (Abnormals underground book 2)
By Holly A. Hook

 
Alyssa's a rare mix of supernatural according to Thoreau, the demonic mayor, and she was every reason to believe him. She's already got a rare gene that turned her into a vampire and now her enemies burn from the inside out whenever she stabs them. On top of that, biting her hot Mage battle partner, Xavier, will strengthen them both and bring her one step closer to becoming the "Dark Pentagram," who will merge Earth with the Infernal world. Therefore, it's best to stay out of Thoreau's clutches unless she wants to see Hell on Earth.

But then Thoreau steals the secret to destroying the Underground, the society of supernaturals that Alyssa now calls home, she and Xavier have no choice but to go after him. Demons? No problem. Crossing the world? No sweat. Finding out whether or not Xavier likes her? That's tricky, along with learning where her strange powers came from. But none of that compares to her growing thirst for Xavier's blood, a thirst she may not be able to resist. Alyssa just might have to become the monster she's vowed never to be...



I’m actually really enjoying this series for a YA it’s a very good concept! I get a bit annoyed with Xavier sometimes he can be a bit premenstral! It’s definitely worth giving it a go if you enjoy the magic in books! I also find it a struggle that a whole powerful council don’t do anything about the big bad bit two teens do!
  
    Oceanhorn ™

    Oceanhorn ™

    Games

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    SET SAIL AND EMBARK ON AN EPIC JOURNEY Grow from a boy to a legend. 5/5 - TouchArcade - "Must-have...

When the Glow Lights the Woods
When the Glow Lights the Woods
Eule Grey | 2022 | LGBTQ+, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
A sweet story where magic can happen.
WHEN THE GLOW LIGHTS THE WOODS is set in a post-apocalyptic world divided in two by a wall. We start off on the rural side with Kite. He contributes to the community by helping out on their farm and being a teacher. This year it is his turn to go to the other side of the Wall and meet those who live there. He is worried as he has been told they are robots and he doesn't want to be assimilated.

When he gets there, he realises just how different things are. Everything seems shiny and new but no one will meet his eyes, apart from one angry-seeming young man called Manu. Kite and Manu learn about each other and try to bring both sides together in time for a seasonal HEA for all.

This was a gentle story of opposites. Both sides thought they were doing the right thing to prevent war, but both sides had something the other needed. I would have liked to have known a little more about the world itself, and what happened to the Elders. I loved the slow romance between Manu and Kite, the lost love between Mal and Nellak, and how each person who went over had their own experiences.

A sweet story where magic can happen. Definitely recommended by me.

** 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!