Review: Sold on a Monday

Sold on a Monday by Kristina McMorris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sold on a Monday by Kristina McMorris is a story about a reporter, Ellis Reed, who sees a sign: 2 CHILDREN FOR SALE, and a secretary, Lillian Palmer, who sees a picture.

This story went in an entirely different direction than I thought it was going to go. Though, it wasn't what I expected, it was still good. I loved Kristina's writing style of bringing the characters to life, and I envisioned life in the 30s and how bad it must have been for parents to sell their children. It was a very disturbing time in history that I hope never reoccurs in the future. Considering the book took a different turn than I was expecting, I'm glad for it. I don't know if I could have read a story primarily about families having to choose food over their children. This story turned out to be more about how one's decisions can affect other people, and finding one's true self.


View all my reviews

Review: Rise of the Seer

Rise of the Seer by Brandon Barr
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Rise of the Seer by Brandon Barr is the first installment of the Song of the Worlds series. Meluscia, a dying King's daughter, has aspirations to help her people. Winter, a farm girl, has a need to be free.

This story has everything I love in a good book. Fantastic world building, political intrigue, feelings and emotions that bring the characters to life. Emotions of doubt, need, pain, longing, love, this story has them all. This is an epic tale that pulled me in and did not let go. I love Brandon's writing style and beautiful prose. I highly recommend this book.

View all my reviews

Review: The Snow Child

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey is a story about Jack and Mabel, an elderly couple who is childless living in the Alaskan wilderness.

This story was good, and the writing style was good. The characters were fairly written. What I didn't care for was the lack of quotations during certain conversations. I know why the author chose this, but I feel these conversations would have benefited from the use of italics rather than the lack of quotations. Other than that, I felt this to be a good and emotional story.




View all my reviews

Review: The Girl in the Tower

The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden is the second book in the Winternight Trilogy. Vasya finds herself in a situation where she is disguising herself as a boy. She earns the admiration of the Grand Prince of Moscow, so she must keep her secret at all costs.

This story starts where The Bear and the Nightingale ends. I fell in love with Vasya. I love her determination. With beautiful prose and a fantastically created world, Katherine Arden is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. I can't wait for the last book in this trilogy.


View all my reviews

Review: Tales of the Peculiar

Tales of the Peculiar by Ransom Riggs
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Tales of the Peculiar by Ransom Riggs is a tale within a tale. Tales of the Peculiar is a book read by one of the characters to help find clues in the characters' journey.

I thought this was a great addition to the series. Tales of the Peculiar, read by one of the characters, Millard Nullings, is a book of old tales considered history of the peculiar recorded over years.

View all my reviews

Review: Library of Souls

Library of Souls by Ransom Riggs
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Library of Souls by Ransom Riggs is the third installment of the Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children series. It picks up where the second book leaves off.

I can't say enough about this series. Fun, whimsical, strange, and yes, peculiar. A must read series.

View all my reviews

Review: Hollow City

Hollow City by Ransom Riggs
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Hollow City by Ransom Riggs is the second book in the Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children series. This book picks up where the last book leaves off.

I absolutely love this series. It's whimsical and fun. The characters are so unique. The author creates a fantastic world, and the use of old pictures only seals the deal and makes this story so believable.



View all my reviews

                          My Dear Friend and Author, Brandon Barr

"The quality of a father can be seen in the goals, dreams, and aspirations he sets not only for himself, but for his family." - Reed Markham                                                                         


Asking for prayers and help for my dear friend and author, Brandon Barr, and his family. Brandon is losing his battle with leukemia. Brandon is now in hospice. Please give what you can to help his family through this difficult time through this GoFundMe page. Please, feel free to share and add #BrandonsBuddies. Every little bit helps. Thank you everyone. <3


https://www.gofundme.com/help-support-brandon-barr039s-family?fbclid=IwAR3Ug43kDF3Le_5TcyyCrN1JaYCh82mNAu6S1E3Ep3lP4lkp8nypOwg0C5Q

Review: Pax

Pax by Sara Pennypacker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

..........SPOILERS..........

Pax by Sara Pennypacker is the story of a fox and his boy who are separated because of a war.

Plot 4/5: While the plot wasn't what I was expecting, I found this story to be very moving.

Characters 5/5: The characters are very well written.

World building 4/5: This story is mainly set in two places, the woods and one of the characters homes.

Pacing 4/5: The pacing is steady.

Writing 5/5: This story is written in the point of view of the fox and the fox's boy.

Overall 4.4: Although this story wasn't what I expected, it is a wonderfully written story of two lives that become separated and them trying to find each other again.

Favorite Quote:

"We all own a beast called anger. It can serve us: many good things come of anger at bad things; many unjust things are made just. But first we all have to figure out how to civilize it." - Vola

Favorite character: Pax and Vola

View all my reviews

Review: Serafina and the Splintered Heart

Serafina and the Splintered Heart by Robert Beatty
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Serafina and the Splintered Heart by Robert Beatty is the third installment of the Serafina trilogy. There are more dangers for Serafina and her family and friends at Biltmore Estate.

Serafina has become one of my all time favorite characters, and these books have become some of my favorite stories that I can share with my grandchildren.

You can read my review of the first book, Serafina and the Black Cloak, here: https://feeroberts64.blogspot.com/201...

View all my reviews

Review: Serafina and the Twisted Staff

Serafina and the Twisted Staff by Robert Beatty
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

..........SPOILERS..........

Serafina and the Twisted Staff is the second book in the Serafina trilogy. Serafina is the guardian of Biltmore Estate, but something is not right within Biltmore, and she must find out what. This book is set a couple weeks after the first book.

I loved this book as much as Serafina and the Black Cloak. You can read my review of the first book here: https://feeroberts64.blogspot.com/201...

Favorite characters: Searafina, Braeden, Gidean, and Waysa.


View all my reviews

Review: Serafina and the Black Cloak

Serafina and the Black Cloak by Robert Beatty
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

..........SPOILERS..........

Serafina and the Black Cloak is the first book in the Serafina trilogy. Serafina is determined to rescue the children taken by the man in a black cloak.

Plot 5/5: A good mystery that kept me guessing.

Characters 5/5: Interesting characters who I grew to love, and others I disliked quite a bit.

World building 5/5: This story is set in the Biltmore Estate and the surrounding areas. I had never heard of this place, but after reading this story, I would love to visit.

Pacing 5/5: The pacing was fairly quick, with slower parts here and there.

Writing 5/5: The author's writing is very good, and the story telling kept me entertained.

Overall 5/5: I really loved this story. It's a mystery, but also a story of acceptance and finding out who you are, where you're from, and where you fit in.

Favorite Quote:

"Our character isn't defined by the battles we win or lose, but by the battles we dare to fight." - a grave marker in a cemetery.

Favorite characters: Serafina, Braeden, Gidean, and Waysa.










View all my reviews

Review: The Bear and the Nightingale

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

..........SPOILERS..........

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden is the first book in the Winternight Trilogy. This story is based on a Russian fairy tale called Father Frost. This version of the tale is about a frost king who is after a girl named Vasilisa.

Plot 5/5: I have never heard any Russian fairy tales, so this was quite the treat.

Characters 5/5: The characters are interesting. I loved learning some of the ways of the Russian people and their folklore and beliefs.

World building 5/5: The descriptions of the village had me feeling the harsh winters and the expectations of spring in this wonderfully created village world.

Pacing 4/5 The pacing was steady and a bit slow, but Arden kept me rapt in the story.

Writing 5/5: The writing is beautiful and lyrical.

Overall 4.8

Favorite Quote:

"I would walk into the jaws of hell itself, if it were a path of my own choosing. I would rather die tomorrow in the forest than live a hundred years of the life appointed me." - Vasilisa

Favorite characters: Vasilisa and Morozko

This was a fabulous story and I cannot wait to read the next installment.







View all my reviews

Review: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs is the first book in the Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children series. Sixteen-year-old Jacob has questions after a family tragedy, which leads him to a remote island and to a ruined orphanage, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.

Plot 5/5: This is a most unusual and intriguing plot.

Characters 5/5: There were so many emotions that had me laughing, crying, and fearful for the characters throughout the story.

World building 5/5: Incredible world building between the present and the past.

Pacing 5/5: The pacing was steady, and kept me enthralled throughout the story.

Writing 5/5: The writing is beautiful, and with the addition of the vintage photographs, it made the story even more believable.

Overall 5/5

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I'm eagerly anticipating what happens next to the peculiar children!

Borrowed from my local library.

View all my reviews

Review: The Wolf Lords

The Wolf Lords by F.T. McKinstry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Wolf Lords by F.T. McKinstry is the second book in The Fylking series. We follow a sorcerer, and the King’s Rangers in their search for a hedge witch, who they believe hold the secrets that could change the outcome of the war.

Plot 5/5: Interesting plot that kept me intrigued.

Characters 5/5: This series has some of my favorite characters, who are average people with familiar emotions that bring these characters to life.

World building 5/5: Incredible world building.

Pacing 4/5: Steady pace with spurts of action, though I felt some areas of the story were bogged down with too many details that were unnecessary, but it did help to create the world the author was trying to convey.

Writing 5/5: Great writing.

Overall 4.8











View all my reviews

Review: A Collection of Ghost Stories and Paranormal Short Stories

A Collection of Ghost Stories and Paranormal Short Stories by Jeff Bennington
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Creepy by Jeff Bennington is a short story collection of paranormal delights. I thoroughly enjoyed this little treasure. I will be reading more of Jeff's work.

Purchased on Amazon.

View all my reviews

Review: The Golem

The Golem by Todd Maternowski
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Golem by Todd Maternowski was a quick little read to give me a minute after reading a series book. I enjoyed this tale quite a bit.

View all my reviews

Review: The Temple of the Mad God

The Temple of the Mad God by Martyn Stanley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Temple of the Mad God by Martyn Stanley is the fifth installment of the Deathsworn Arc series. The Temple of the Mad God picks up where the last book, Rise of the Archmage, left off. We follow the champions on their quest to enter Durgheim Holt, home of the dwarves.

Plot 5/5: The plot continues with each book in the series with the author touching upon previous events, which I love.

Characters 4/5: I've become invested in these characters, but there are a couple of characters whom I would like to see more character growth. Hopefully, this will happen in future books.

World building 5/5: I love the world Martyn Stanley has created. There are places that are beautiful, and places that are dangerous.

Pacing 5/5: The pacing is steady, with spurts of action.

Writing 4/5: Martyn's writing is greatly improving. I love to see an author mature in their writing. It's a treat in itself to witness such maturity.

Overall 4.6

I was given a copy of this book for free from the author. I chose to review this book on my own, and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.



View all my reviews

Review: A Threat of Shadows

A Threat of Shadows by J.A. Andrews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Threat of Shadows by J.A. Andrews is the first book of The Keeper Chronicles. We follow Alaric on his journey to find a cure for his dying wife.

I just love J.A.'s writing style. She lured me in with the first sentence and kept my attention throughout the book. I fell in love with the characters. They were believable to the point of making sure I had tissues on hand. This is a wonderful love story? Maybe...but definitely a story of determination and love so strong that you have to ask yourself, "How far would I go for a loved one?" Truly an amazing tale. I can't wait for the next book!

View all my reviews

Review: Pursuit of Shadows

Pursuit of Shadows by J.A. Andrews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Pursuit of Shadows by J.A. Andrews is the second book in The Keeper Chronicles. We follow Keeper Will in his search to find his sister.

Plot 5/5: Instead of your usual trope, J.A. has given us a story of one man's determination, and hope in finding his sister, therefore adding something new to the fantasy genre.

Characters 5/5: Great characters full of life and emotions.

World building 5/5: Fantastic world building and magic systems used by different races.

Pacing 5/5: Great pacing with excitement and tension.

Writing 5/5: J.A. knows how to weave a tale to keep you intrigued and wanting more.

Overall 5/5

J.A. Andrews is definitely one of my favorite tale spinners, with the ability to bring me into a story, almost literally, but definitely figuratively, and keep me enthralled.





View all my reviews