Search

Search only in certain items:

40x40

Merissa (12894 KP) rated Spark in Books

May 20, 2023  
Spark
Spark
Atthys J. Gage | 2015 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Francy is a 'normal' teenage girl, with nothing outstanding about her that she recognises. She is doing okay at school, has some good friends, and is on the Basketball team. So why would an alien entity decide to take up residence with her?

We stay with Francy as she enters a world of alien theories, collapsed fulcrums, mathematics, entropy and yoga. It is a whirlwind of theories that made my head spin at times. I loved Francy's dad's explanation of entropy, with analogies of having a 9-year-old child. Perfect!

There is intrigue and suspense in this book as Francy tries to figure out just what is going on, and more importantly, how she can help in any way. Then we also have a splash of romance as she and Owen become closer.

This is not your normal, run-of-the-mill Young Adult tale. It will intrigue and delight as the story takes you along. Different from anything I have read, I would not hesitate to recommend it.

* I received this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 23, 2016
  
Defects (The Reverians #1)
Defects (The Reverians #1)
Sarah Noffke | 2015 | Dystopia, Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is a young adult story of action and adventure with romance to round it off. Em is classed as a Defect because apart from being able to Dream Travel, she has no discernible gift and has to endure daily injections in the hope that they will help to bring it forth. However, things aren't always as they seem, and Em finds out through an old friend, that things are going on she had no idea about, and her family are directly involved with.

I loved the friendship between Zach, Em, and Rogue, although Zach's feelings were plain for all to see apart from Em and Rogue! Their story is only just beginning and I can't wait to read more. With intrigue on every page, this is a well-written and well-paced story, set in a world that I haven't read about before. This is the first book by this author that I have read, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and will be continuing with this series. Definitely recommended by me.

* I received this book from the author via Bostick Communications in return for a fair and honest review. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Feb 22, 2016
  
Water Witch (Witches of Westwood Academy #1)
Water Witch (Witches of Westwood Academy #1)
Gina Kincade, C.D. Gorri | 2022 | Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
WATER WITCH is the first book in the Witches of Westwood Academy and we start off with Rio. Well, actually, we start off with Leanna Stolbright - a magical bloodhound, otherwise known as a magical scout. She finds Rio and issues her an invitation to join the Academy.

At twenty years old, Rio knows about magic. She also knows their bloodline is cursed as both her mother and grandmother died because of it. She is excited to go but sad to leave her grandfather behind.

There isn't a lot of world-building so you just sort of go with it. I would have liked a bit more of that and definitely more character-building, especially between Rio and Magnus, and Rio and Otto.

This was a quick and easy read with plenty of questions left unanswered. I am hoping some get answered in the next book. A great coffee-break book that I happily recommend.

** 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 22, 2022
  
40x40

Merissa (12894 KP) rated First Born: The Preevitt Chronicles in Books

Dec 17, 2018 (Updated Jun 7, 2023)  
First Born: The Preevitt Chronicles
First Born: The Preevitt Chronicles
Ross Butler | 2015 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
In this Urban Fantasy, we read the story from the perspective of a moody, disgruntled, and contrary fifteen-year-old. She was orphaned at an early age, and when the orphanages closed down, she lived with her elderly social worker. She is adopted by a family in New Jersey, far away from Michigan. She doesn't want to go but has no choice. Once she is there and meets her family, she settles down slightly. Starting a new school, she meets new friends and starts her new life.

With a very fast pace and a severe case of insta-love, this book tells the story of Preevits and Mugglers. Now Preevits may sound bad, but they have nothing on the Mugglers. And then, of course, you have bad Preevits thrown into the mix too.

Finishing on a high, with a possible link to a further book, this is a book for readers of the YOUNG adult genre, with a paranormal twist.

* 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 30, 2016
  
Listening Woman
Listening Woman
Tony Hillerman | 1978 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Solving a Stalled Case
Joe Leaphorn is tackling several cases that have grown cool over the last few months. At the forefront is the case of the double murder or an old man and a teenage girl who were murdered near the man’s hogan. The only witness is the teenager’s aunt, a listening woman, who is blind. Unfortunately, she doesn’t have much she can add to the case, but Joe follows the few pieces she has given him. Will that be enough for him to figure out what really happened?

I wasn’t surprised when the various cases Joe was investigating played into this case, but I did feel like things were a little unfocused early on. Still, everything came together well, and the last third is a page turning thriller. While I like Joe, we still know very little about him or his personal life. Likewise, the rest of the cast isn’t fully developed, but they are real enough given the page time they have. I do appreciate how Joe balances the Navajo myths versus the reality of police work. It’s easy to see why these books are so well loved, and I’m glad I’ve picked them up.
  
Light & Kingdom (Royal & Piper #2)
Light & Kingdom (Royal & Piper #2)
E.L. Tenenbaum | 2023 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
LIGHT & KINGDOM is the second book in the Royal & Piper series and carries on from Book 1, so you really need to read that one first.

Quirin and Cal are on the run from Evalena and intent on reaching Quirin's old homeland where he is sure she will get help. The only problem is that to do this, they need to travel over the top of a mountain, which people stay away from for fear of death.

What a book! Quirin and Cal become closer in this book as they deal with things outside of the extraordinary. They are alone and have to rely upon each other for survival, as well as seeing wondrous sights.

I loved this story and the finale was fantastic! I honestly can't wait to continue with this story. It is rich in detail and intrigue, bringing the story to life as you turn the pages. Absolutely brilliant and HIGHLY 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 26, 2024
  
40x40

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated Bait and Swiss in Books

May 14, 2025 (Updated May 14, 2025)  
Bait and Swiss
Bait and Swiss
Korina Moss | 2025 | Mystery
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Chocolate and Cheese Make a Deadly Pairing
Willa Bauer is excited to be celebrating the second anniversary of opening her shop. But her excitement is tampered when her former fiancé and former best friend show up in town to open a new location for their chocolate shop. However, when someone appears to have been poisoned by one of their chocolates, Willa can’t help but poke around. Can she figure out what happened?

I was glad to have this part of Willa’s back story show up in town, and I liked the growth it gave Willa. We also saw a couple characters we haven’t seen in the last two books, which was great. The cast of both old and new characters kept me engaged, as did the story, which had plenty of complications on the way to an ultimately logical climax. I did feel that Willa’s actions at one point early on didn’t really make sense. Once again, we get some delicious sounding recipes at the end. Fans of the series will be delighted. If you enjoy culinary cozies and haven’t started this series yet, you need to fix that today.
  
People of Darkness
People of Darkness
Tony Hillerman | 1980 | Mystery
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Introducing Jim Chee
It seems an odd assignment. Jim Chee is asked by a rich man’s wife to locate an old box her husband cherished. Only she doesn’t know what is in it. And she doesn’t want him to involve the local police. She’s even hiring him off the books. The more Chee begins poking around, the more questions he gets. And every person who tells him to stop just makes him more curious. What will he uncover?

Knowing that Jim Chee becomes the other main character in this series, I was happy to finally get to meet him. The set up has several different elements, and even knowing they’d come together, it seemed like a bit too much. But by the end I was impressed with just how it all connected. There was one character that was a bit of a page hog, but overall, I thought the cast was good and I wish I thought a couple of them were coming back. I also enjoyed how Navajo culture played into the story. I’m looking forward to spending more time with Jim Chee again soon.
  
Rumble of the Crumble (The Rhubarb Effect #7)
Rumble of the Crumble (The Rhubarb Effect #7)
JP Sayle, Sue Brown | 2025 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Butch will go slow (but not too slow) and wait for Leo, scars and all.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is the FINAL book in this series, and you really should read the other 6 books before this one. They are a lot of fun, but there is an ongoing story arc that you need to follow.

Leo is a lion, and an Alpha. Butch is the town's sheriff, a rhubarb and also an Alpha. Two Alphas should not be mates, should they?

Ok SO! I have thoroughly enjoyed these books, every one has been a solid 4 star read and I was hoping that this one would give me the answers to the questions my book brain has been throwing around. But in true Sayle fashion, she does not, in fact, give me the answers but I am at least able to voice the questions! I'll come back to those, though!

Leo is scared, he suffered badly at the hands of the monster alpha Amell in their old pride. But Butch will go slow (but not too slow) and wait for Leo, scars and all. Until someone tries to kill the entire pride, babies and all. Leo and Butch know they have to work together to get Amell, and put a stop to his reign of terror, once and for all.

I liked that Butch would wait for Leo, he knows the lion has scars, some not as visible as others, and he knows WHY Leo is so scared, but Butch knows Leo is his mate and Leo just needs time.

I liked that Leo felt safe with Butch. He didn't feel that way with anyone else but his pride. Leo knows Butch will never hurt him, even if they never fully mate after completing the bond that stopped Butch from wilting.

I even liked the way it all went down at the end! I did not see that happening, I thought someone else might be the one to do it.

So, like I said, thoroughly enjoyed these books!

BUT questions! Now, I might have missed the answers to these questions, I'm not sure but I'm sure someone will tell me!

While we know that Leo has scars from Amell, I wanted to know WHY Amell did what he did to Leo, and just WHAT he did, I really did. That's what my book brain was screaming at me, through the whole series, really. However, now I'm typing this up, I'm changing my mind. These books are, for the most part, a lot of fun, with a bit of drama thrown in, and a hella lotta smexy times between the various couples. If we had all the gory details about what Amell did and why, it might have taken these books down a much darker path and I really don't think they needed them. So, I'm gonna let that knowledge go.

As the final book, and due to me letting those questions go,

a full and shiny 5 stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere