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A Tainted Soul
A.W. Rene | 2023
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
116 of 235
Kindle
A Tainted Soul
By A.W. Rene
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


Sixteen-year-old Annaya Roth is fighting for her life to fit
in at yet another new school—and to escape the Dead.

Annaya and her mother, Samantha, just moved to the small
mountain town of Asherville. The people there are nice enough. They smile and
wave—but Annaya knows to not get too close.

Samantha is tired of running. She just wants to keep her
daughter safe. So, in one last desperate attempt to save Annaya—Samantha moves
them to the one place she never wanted to step foot in again.

This was certainly an interesting read and a little chaotic. It’s gruesome in parts and I really loved that the author wasn’t afraid to be graphic. A few time I felt down right sorry for this girl at 16 her life goes from one disaster to another. The dead really like her to know they are around.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
  
Nevernight
Nevernight
Jay Kristoff | 2016 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
9.3 (6 Ratings)
Book Rating
19 of 220
Kindle
Nevernight ( Book 1)
By Jay Kristoff
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Mia Corvere is only ten years old when she is given her first lesson in death.

Destined to destroy empires, the child raised in shadows made a promise on the day she lost everything: to avenge herself on those that shattered her world.

But the chance to strike against such powerful enemies will be fleeting, and Mia must become a weapon without equal. Before she seeks vengeance, she must seek training among the infamous assassins of the Red Church of Itreya.

Inside the Church's halls, Mia must prove herself against the deadliest of opponents and survive the tutelage of murderers, liars and daemons at the heart of a murder cult.

The Church is no ordinary school. But Mia is no ordinary student.

Oh I just loved it! It was dark and dangerous. I love his writing and this did not disappoint. It was everything I expected it to be, the story and characters were just so interesting I didn’t want to stop reading.
  
Finding Grace
Finding Grace
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Yesterday I finished Finding Grace, a short historical fiction book I was given the chance to read thanks to NetGalley. It follows Grace, a thirteen-year-old girl living in a Belgian convent in 1975. She was left on the steps as a baby, along with her disabled sister, Dotty. But Dotty recently died, and everything is changing.

Grace is moved to the girls' boarding school dorm. She soon becomes close with Fran, but also has a few run-ins with the stuck up Deirdra. While helping Fran with a history project Grace discovers an old journal kept by one of the nuns at the convent during the war. It tells her horrific story of abandonment, rape and loss.

All the while, the girls are trying to find out more about Grace's past, and avoid the wrath of the horrible Sister Francis. Eventually Grace does get some anwswers, but they were certainly not the ones she was looking for.

I'm not usually very interested in historical fiction but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Even though it was short, the characters were well developed and the plot was exciting and intriguing. I felt immersed in the setting, and felt empathetic for Grace. I actually felt quite invested in her and her search for knowledge.

There were a few typos and such, but as this is only a review copy I can't be sure whether the final publication will include them. It was a quick, interesting read, a good introduction to historical fiction. 4 stars!
  
The World in Johnny's Back Garden
The World in Johnny's Back Garden
Kurt Chambers | 2017 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, Natural World, Young Adult (YA)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I was lucky enough for the author to let me have a preview of this book while he was toying with publishing it. I am very glad that he did because it is rare for a book to be so engrossing from beginning to end while running through so many different themes and emotions.

The plot revolves around Johnny, a more-or-less ordinary boy who is a bit of a loner at school. One day he decides to offer to help the old lady next door - Masie - with her garden. Everyone at school calls her a witch and throws stones at her house but that doesn't deter Johnny.

From this point forward the narrative takes Johnny through a range of experiences showing how his narrow existence could be so much richer if he took more notice of the things around him. This is literally mind expanding and life-changing for Johnny, although he must accept the hardships that come with his new friendship and knowledge.

The result is a fantastic read for both young adults and older, gently suggesting a sound ecological message without labouring it and without sugar coating any of life's ups and downs. Johnny experiences much throughout the book but ends up a stronger and better person for it. The reader goes with him on his journey every step of the way.

This is the kind of book that makes me wish I could award 11 stars out of 10 and will always be a favourite of mine. The only way this book could be any better would be for it to be the start of a series.