Synopsis:
Before the legendary Arthur became king, he took lessons from a dragon . . .
Artos is a lonely child, teased or ignored by the other boys in the castle of Sir Ector. One day, he follows Sir Ector’s runaway hound into a mysterious, dark cave, where he encounters a dragon who offers him the gift of wisdom.
Both frightened and intrigued, Artos becomes the dragon’s student and gains what he’s always longed for: the friendship and respect of other boys. Under the guidance of the dragon, Artos’s life begins to take shape in a way he could never have imagined. But has Artos really learned everything the dragon has to teach? And what does the dragon mean when he refers to him as “Artos Pendragon,” or “Arthur son of dragon”?
(Synopsis from Goodreads).
My Thoughts:
Ever since I was a kid, I have loved Jane Yolen's books. When I was about thirteen years old, I picked up Sword of the Rightful King. It's the first King Arthur retelling that I remember reading. I remember loving it so much that I read it in about two days because I couldn't put it down. Recently, I came across a book by her called The Dragon's Boy and wanted to give it a try to see if I still love her books as an adult. I thought it was just okay.
I have to admit, if I would have been the intended audience about twenty years ago, I think I would have loved The Dragon's Boy. As is, I thought it was just an okay book. I liked it, and found it fun to read. However, it didn't blow me away. I've read books that are a lot better about King Arthur over the years. I also found all of the characters to be unlikable. The main character, Artos, was a brat for most of the book. He was very selfish, and a jerk to those around him. The only side character that I really liked was Lady Marion, and she wasn't in the book very much.
Even though I didn't find The Dragon's Boy mind-blowing spectacular, I did enjoy it. Once it ended, I wanted to know more about the author's interpretation of the relationship between Linn and Artos. I might have to read/re-read some of Jane Yolen's other King Arthur books and refresh my mind on her take on the tale. I think this would be a good book for children that are interested in the King Arthur legend, but have never read anything about it before. It's a great beginning stepping stone to other King Arthur retellings.
I give The Dragon's Boy: 3/5.
Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://janeyolen.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/janeyolen?lang=en
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5989.Jane_Yolen
I received this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.
Synopsis:
For centuries, Wonderland thrived as the domain of beautiful bedlam and unapologetic madness. It was a place like no other. All it took was one girl slipping in through the cracks of the universe to start chaos spiraling toward order. In the 150 years since Alice’s visit, the realm has become tainted—almost normal. Rabbits in waistcoats and playing card minions are little more than creatures of myth, and Wonderland is literally falling to pieces.
For Gwen, Rose, and Lucky, Wonderland is home, and yet they know little of its former glory. When the Alice prophecy resurfaces, they’ll have one chance to use Wonderland’s own legends to bring a little mayhem back into their reality. For she who controls Alice controls the fate of Wonderland.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).
My Thoughts:
Alice in Wonderland has always been one of my favorite classics. I love it in any format I can get it, whether that be books, movies, tv shows, or video games. I've read a lot of Alice in Wonderland re-tellings over the years. Therefore, I'm fairly picky when it comes to reading them. Unfortunately, Follow the White Rabbit, while enjoyable, didn't meet my high expectations.
Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy reading Follow the White Rabbit. The plot was interesting. I enjoyed the concept of a "normal" Wonderland. It was almost like the reverse of the classic story. Having a fresh take on the classic that I had never seen done before was great. I wish there was a bit more world building though. I wanted more details about how Wonderland was brought to normalcy after everything that had happened with Alice, and before the reader meets the new main characters, Gwen, Rose, and Lucky.
Even though I wanted a little bit more from Follow the White Rabbit, I did enjoy it. I didn't see the sequel on Amazon, but I plan on reading the sequel when it is released, and seeing how the main characters help to get Wonderland back into the crazy, kooky land that we all know and love. I also plan on reading more of Kellie Sheridan's books. I have a feeling that I will enjoy them. I hope she creates more intriguing twists on favorite classics.
I give Follow the White Rabbit: 3/5.
Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://www.kelliesheridan.com/
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kelliewrites
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Kellie_Sheridan
Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/kelloish/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/snarkybird/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SnarkyBird/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6579646.Kellie_Sheridan
I received this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.
Synopsis for In the Air Tonight:
Four centuries ago, in a small Scottish village, three baby girls escaped the wrath of a witch hunter. Today, one young woman will learn about her secret history, her heart's destiny, and the sisters she never knew she had...
With her blue-black hair and dark eyes, Raye Larsen has never fit in with the Scandinavian community of New Bergin, Wisconsin. Being adopted is part of the reason she feels like an outsider, but what really sets Raye apart is her ability to see dead people. Everywhere.
She’s learned to keep her visions to herself . . . until she stumbles onto the ghost of a murder victim who needs Raye’s help. Enter Bobby Doucet, a distractingly handsome homicide detective who has been tracking a killer all the way from New Orleans. Could this be the break in his case he’s been looking for all along?
Meanwhile, the deeper Raye gets involved with the case—and with Bobby—the closer she comes to unlocking the mystery of her own origins. What she discovers about herself could destroy everything she knows . . . and everyone she loves. Is finding the truth worth the risk?
(Synopsis from Goodreads).
Synopsis for Heat of the Moment:
A spell that tore three sisters apart is broken four hundred years later, when the magic in their blood reunites them. Now, one of them will discover her gift—and reignite a love long thought lost…
Flame-haired Becca Carstairs was born to be a veterinarian. Since childhood, her affinity for animals has been special, and her healing touch nothing short of magic. But only Becca knows the truth—that she alone can hear the creatures’ voices. She’s always trusted her sixth sense… until a string of missing pets, an attempted murder, and a face from her past converge into one explosive mystery, with her at its center.
Is haunted Owen McAllister, the boy who broke her heart ten years ago, related to the sinister crimes that have peaceful Three Harbors, Wisconsin, on its guard? Or is his reappearance part of the answer to questions that have troubled her all her life? As Becca delves into her strange heritage, she’ll have to fight for her life… and the man she will always love.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).
Synopsis for Smoke on the Water:
Abandoned beneath a black willow tree on the banks of a northern Wisconsin creek, Willow Black spent her entire childhood in foster care. Her entire life she's had terrifying visions, and it is these visions that eventually land her in a psychiatric facility. And so Willow takes her meds and believes she is getting better. Until she meets a fellow patient who doesn't think she is crazy at all. She thinks Willow is a witch.
Willow's psychiatrist, Dr. Sebastian Crane, works hard to resist his feeling that he and Willow are destined to be together while also working to convince her that strange occurrences aren't the result of witchcraft… until he is thrown into the middle of a storm of supernatural events that can't be explained any other way…
(Synopsis from Goodreads).
My Thoughts:
For whatever reason, I rarely read paranormal romance books. I'm not sure why because it's a genre that I usually enjoy. I have a bunch, but I always seem to skip over them and pick up a fantasy book instead. I was browsing through my unread books, and came across the Sisters of the Craft trilogy. I decided to give it a try because it had been a while since I read a book about witches, and the covers are gorgeous. Unfortunately, I really didn't like the trilogy at all.
I think my biggest problem with the trilogy, in general, is that the writing and plot were very simplistic. It felt like a bad soap opera that your grandma would force you to watch with her when you stayed home sick from school. Everything was over the top, and nothing felt original. It felt like a combination of every paranormal romance I had read, like it took bits and pieces from different stories and combined them to make a plot. The one thing that I really did love about the books was Reggie and Grenade, and they were only in one book, never to be seen again. The sex scenes in each book weren't even very descriptive. It felt like an eighth grade boy was trying to write them.
The first book, In the Air Tonight, was very slow paced. It took about seventy-five percent of the book for things to really get going, and to catch my interest. The second book, Heat of the Moment, went better but I think that's because I liked Reggie so much. I really loved hearing his thoughts. The third book, Smoke on the Water, started off interesting, but quickly went downhill. I was involved until about fifty percent into the book. Then things started dragging on and on. By the time I got about sixty percent, I had to resist the urge to skim read the rest because I was that bored. What should have taken me a day to read, took about three because it just dragged so badly and I kept losing interest. The only bright part of that book was Mary. I loved her snarky sense of humor. It had me chuckling a few times.
I was sad that the first paranormal romance series I picked up in such a long time turned out to be a letdown. I really wanted to like it, but unfortunately, that isn't the case. I disliked this trilogy so much that I felt a sense of relief when I finished the third book. If it wasn't for the fact that I got all three to review, I probably wouldn't have continued reading past the first book. I don't think I will read any more of Lori Handeland's books in the future. I think her writing style just isn't for me.
I give Sisters of the Craft trilogy: 2/5.
Want to know more about the author?
Website: https://www.lorihandeland.com/
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoriHandeland#
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nightcreatures
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17060.Lori_Handeland
I received all three books in this trilogy from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.
Synopsis:
Jonathan Drazen is a known womanizer and a gorgeous piece of
man I'm not letting into my heart. Ever.
Yeah, he's rich, beautiful, charming as hell, and he has a wit as sharp as a double-edged razor... but he's made it perfectly clear that this is a short-term fuck. Three nights, tops, then we part like sexually satisfied grown-ups.
I believe him when he says he can't love me. I'm not trying to fall in love, either.
We get in. Get it on. Get the hell out. Done.
Right?
Right.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).
My Thoughts:
When I first saw Beg by C.D. Reiss, I wanted to read it, but I was a little hesitant. I had never read erotica before, especially BDSM erotica. Frankly, the idea left me feeling a little uncomfortable. It turns out I had nothing to worry about. I loved Beg.
My only complaint about Beg is that the story started off so slow. It took about twenty percent to become interesting. Usually I DNF at about ten percent if I'm not into the book by then. However, I had heard a lot of people talk about how good it was, so I decided to continue. After the twenty percent mark, it got so much better. I found myself loving the characters and the plot. As previously stated, I thought the BDSM was going to make me uncomfortable, but it didn't. I found myself really enjoying it.
Once I finished Beg, I quickly became obsessed. I loved the world that C.D. Reiss created, and wanted more of it. I found myself finishing the whole series in about five days. I can't wait to read C.D. Reiss's other books, and dive deeper into the Drazen world.
I give Beg: 4/5.
Want to know more about the author?
Website: https://cdreiss.com/
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CDReiss.writer
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cdreisswriter
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cdreiss/
Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/cdreiss/
Tumblr: http://cdreiss.tumblr.com/
Wiki: http://cdreiss.wikia.com/wiki/C.D._Reiss_Wiki
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6896405.C_D_Reiss
I received this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.
Synopsis:
Vengeance will be hers.
Allison Sekemoto once struggled with the question: human or monster? With the death of her love, Zeke, she has her answer.
Monster.
Allie will embrace her cold vampire side to hunt down and end Sarren, the psychopathic vampire who murdered Zeke. But the trail is bloody and long, and Sarren has left many surprises for Allie and her companions - her creator Kanin, and her blood brother, Jackal. The trail is leading straight to the one place they must protect at any cost - the last vampire-free zone on Earth, Eden. And Sarren has one final, brutal shock in store for Allie.
In a ruined world where no life is sacred and former allies can turn on you in one heartbeat, Allie will face her darkest days. And if she succeeds, her triumph will be short-lived in the face of surviving forever alone.
THE FINAL HUNT IS ON.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).
My Thoughts:
I am embarrassed to say that I have been reading The Immortal Rules trilogy for years now. Up until recently, I had put off reading the last book in the series because I didn't want it to end. This series is what started my obsession with Julie Kagawa's books. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. I finally gathered the courage to read the book, and I loved it so much.
The Forever Song was the perfect conclusion to The Immortal Rules trilogy. The book was action packed from beginning to end. Sarem's things that he left for Allie and everyone else to find, while disturbing, kept things interesting. The book did take me a while to read, but that's because I had other things going on In my life, and not because it was boring. I also loved how Julie Kagawa perfectly wrapped everything up. She tied up all the loose ends, so readers wouldn't have to wonder what might have happened with certain situations, which I appreciated.
Even though I loved this book, I really didn't want to finish it. Finishing it means the series is over, which makes me sad. I loved these characters, and am going to miss them so much. I can't wait to read Julie Kagawa's newer series about dragons, and see what other amazing characters she can come up with.
I give The Forever Song: 4/5.
Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://juliekagawa.com/
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Julie-Kagawa-author-252661891438654/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jkagawa
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliekagawaauthor/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2995873.Julie_Kagawa
I received this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.
Synopsis:
My name is Zoe Tempest. Just let me say, I had no intention of becoming a vampire hunter. My world revolved around the trendiest clothes, the boy of the week, shopping, and texting.
I always tried to play down the fact that I’m really quite intelligent. I’d much rather be considered blonde and clueless. It’s so much easier to get dates.
My parents were well-off and indulgent. I was the center of their universe. I’m afraid I took that for granted.
One odd thing, my mother insisted I take self-defense training. I just figured she wanted to keep her little princess safe. But looking back, perhaps she had a premonition.
To my surprise, I took to it like a kid to Pop Tarts and ended up with a black belt in karate.
My life was as close to perfect as a seventeen year old can get. I had everything. Then my parents were murdered and my world came crashing down.
After their funeral, I went to live with my uncle Julian Kilmer. That’s when everything changed. In a manner more terrifying than anything I could have imagined.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).
My Thoughts:
When I was a teenager, I loved books about vampires. Every now and then, I'll still pick up one and read it. They're my guilty pleasure reads. When I saw Vampire Island, I knew I had to request it. I fell in love with the gorgeous cover, and the book sounded mysterious and intriguing. Unfortunately I didn't care for it. It turned out to be a flop.
I don't know what went wrong with Vampire Island. Up until about thirty percent, I was loving it so much that it was hard to put down. It was engaging, and kept me turning pages trying to figure out what was going to happen next. Then it suddenly switched gears. It was almost like a different author started writing the book. It became predictable and boring. It became so cheesy and cliche that it was almost unbearable to read in spots.
Vampire Island went from being a great book to read to a huge disappointment. I have no idea how it went so wrong when the beginning started off that promising. It was almost like the author just gave up. There are a few other books in this series, but I won't be reading them.
I give Vampire Island: 2.5/5.
Want to know more about the author?
Blog: http://sandracox.blogspot.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sandra_Cox
Google+: https://plus.google.com/115611244974089583924
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1175391.Sandra_Cox
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.
Synopsis:
**Contains graphic content and the sensitive topic of rape and its aftermath. Not intended for teens under the age of 18.**
Sometimes bad things happen to beautiful people.
When socialite party girl Mia Abbott-Renou wakes up in a garden she has little recall of the previous night -- except that she is naked...hurt...terrified. Not only has she been raped, but she knows one of her assailants: the son of a wealthy politician who happens to be her own father’s political ally.
Mia wants and needs justice. Except this privileged boy has an alibi and her father forbids her from going to the police. It’s a critical election year, one that his party might lose if his image as a doting father is soured due to Mia being labeled a lush or worse, promiscuous.
Devastated at not having the support of her family, Mia finds herself in a tug-of-war with her conscience over what to do, especially since she can’t remember exactly what happened that night. Worse, the men who attacked her have hurt several other girls, and Mia may be the key to stopping them.
Mia tries to forget, until the unthinkable happens, and she’s left reeling once again, faced with a new challenge that will force her to take more control of her life.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).
My Thoughts:
For those of you that have been following my reviews for a long time, you know I'm a bit of an ebook hoarder. I have a ton of books by a lot of different authors. Lizzy Ford is one of those authors. I have dozens of her books. Even though I have so many, I have never read any. I recently decided to pick up Broken Beauty. I really enjoyed the book.
It feels weird to say I enjoyed the book. I'm not sure enjoyed is the right word. This is in the synopsis, so I don't feel like it's a spoiler to say that the book deals with the sensitive subject of rape. I thought the author handled the subject well. She drew attention to the issues without being offensive. I think she did a good job portraying some of the situations rape survivors find themselves going through. I felt heartbroken watching Mia go through everything she did while I was reading her story. I also liked that there was zero romantic involvement in this book. Mia didn't need to lean on a guy to feel whole again. I really respect the author for that.
Speaking of Mia, I could not stand her family. I wanted to reach through my kindle, and smack the hell out of her father. I couldn't believe that he could care so little for his own flesh and blood, especially after everything she went through. Mia's mom was the best one in the family, which isn't saying much. She still didn't seem like she cared too much. She cared, but it came off as indifferent or fake more than anything else.
Broken Beauty was a powerful, moving book. It dealt with a sensitive subject in a respectful and informative way. It made the reader aware of a situation they might not normally think about because it's not relevant to them. I don't think I will be continuing this series just because this book was so hard to read. I do however recommend this book to anyone that wants to learn more about the subject.
I give Broken Beauty: 4/5.
Want to know more about the author?
Website: https://lizzyford.com/
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LizzyFordBooks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LIzzyFord2010
Google+: https://plus.google.com/106728579413949863215
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizzyfordauthor/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4558309.Lizzy_Ford
I received this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.
