Review: The Child

The Child by Fiona Barton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Child by Fiona Barton is a story centered around the finding of an infant's remains.

This is a very good story. Full of twists and turns that I did not see coming. This book is very well written, and we hear the story unfold from several points of view. This would have been a five star read, but some of the characters seemed one in the same to me. I would have liked more character development. Overall, this is a four star read for me.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

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Review: The Blade Heir

The Blade Heir by Daniel Adorno
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Blade Heir by Daniel Adorno is the first installment of the Azuleah Trilogy. Lucius Nostra finds out that there is more to him than meets the eye.

I simply loved this book. There is everything I love in a fantasy tale in this story. I loved the characters, well most of them. Of course there were characters that I didn't care for, which is expected in such a tale. There were graphic scenes throughout the book, so beware. It also had religious overtones, which doesn't bother me, but be informed. Overall, I'll be reading more of Daniel's work.

I received this book from BookFunnel in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

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Review: All-Butter ShortDead

All-Butter ShortDead by H.Y. Hanna
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

All-Butter ShortDead by H.Y. Hanna is a prequel to the Oxford Tearoom Mysteries. Gemma finds herself in deep water when she is accused of murder.

This was a quick and interesting read. This prequel gives us an insight to Gemma and her plans for her future.



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Review: Seasons Within

Seasons Within by Lele Iturrioz
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Seasons Within by Lele Iturrioz is the first book in the Seasons Within series. G is an orphan and has no recollection of who she is or where she came from.

For me, this story was full of inconsistencies. The grammatical errors, which is to be expected with an ARC, was just far too much even for an ARC. I'm not sure i this book was self-published, but I don't think English is the author's first language. With that being said, this book has potential. Hopefully the next book will be properly edited.

I won this book in a giveaway and all opinions are my own.

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Review: The Fairest of Them

The Fairest of Them by Heather Osborne
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Fairest of Them by Heather Osborne is the first book in the Rae Hatting Mysteries. Detective Luke has been trying to solve a case involving the Fairy Tale serial killer. After an awful turn of events, Rae Hatting joins the case.

This story had a couple of things that didn't make sense to me. The romance was way too quick and the decision to leave and pack by a secondary character just didn't fit with her being a cautious person.

All in all it was an okay read.

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Review: Villain Keeper

Villain Keeper by Laurie McKay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Villain Keeper by Laurie McKay is the first book of The Last Dragon Charmer series. Prince Caden wants to be an Elite Paladin, but his father, King Axel, sends Caden away and Caden isn't sure why his father would do that without having the Elite Paladin ceremony. He ends up in Asheville, North Carolina with Brynne, a sorceress, and his horse Sir Horace.

This was a fun story. Fast paced and imaginative. I can't wait to read the next installment!

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway and all opinions are my own.

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Review: If The Bed Falls In: A man in two minds; are either of them his?

If The Bed Falls In: A man in two minds; are either of them his? by Paul Casselle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If The Bed Falls In by Paul Casselle is the first installment of the Bedfellows thriller series. Tom Friday, a middle-aged photographer and an ex-cocaine user, starts to have doubts of his real identity leaving him to wonder if he is indeed Tom Friday or a British secret agent.

This was a well written story with twists and turns throughout the book. I did find this story hard to follow at times because of the many times that I had to keep up with Tom's identity, as his identity changed quite often. The characters were well fleshed out, so it was quite an interesting read.

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Review: The Arborist

The Arborist by P.T. Phronk
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Arborist by P.T. Phronk is a short story about a tree that appears in the yard of Wes who has a need to figure out what kind of tree it is and why it is there. He becomes consumed by the mysterious tree.

This was a quick read with a bit of mystery, but I felt that there should be more to this story. I felt a bit cheated.

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Review: The Bug: Complete Season One

The Bug: Complete Season One by Barry J. Hutchison
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Bug by Barry J. Hutchison is a story about mysterious bugs using people as hosts and causing said hosts to do evil and bazaar things.

I couldn't get into this story as much as I thought I would, though this was a bazaar story with quite a bit of creepiness. I just had a problem with the execution. It felt a bit choppy to me.

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Review: The Grotto's Secret

The Grotto's Secret by Paula Wynne
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Grotto's Secret by Paula Wynne is two stories that intertwine throughout the book. First, we meet TV show host Kelby Wade. She has been introduced to Dr. Roy Robson, and his sister, who believe that Kelby's brother was murdered over his knowledge of a miracle herb, which the pharmaceutical companies want their hands on. Needing this herb to save her niece, she and Dr. Roy Robson set out to find the herb.

Then we meet Ana-Maria de Carbonela. It is the year 1492. She and her mother know how to use the herb, but they are in danger from doing so.

This story was alright, though I didn't care for the going back and forth between the past and the present. I think this story would have been better if we would have learned about the past first, then introduced to the present. I also didn't care for knowing the identity of the bad guy right off the bat. It kind of put a damper on the whole mystery thing the author was going for.


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Sapphyria's Book Reviews: Book Tour & #Giveaway ~ Daughter of Aithne (The Si...

Sapphyria's Book Reviews: Book Tour & #Giveaway ~ Daughter of Aithne (The Si...: Daughter of Aithne The Silver Web Book Three Karin Rita Gastreich Genre: Fantasy, Dark Fantasy, Romance Publisher: O...

From the Shadows: Free Ivy Granger Ringtones: Set One

From the Shadows: Free Ivy Granger Ringtones: Set One: The first set of FREE Ivy Granger ringtones are here! Download these free ringtones created by the Ivy Granger audiobook production te...

Review: Aster Wood and the Lost Maps of Almara

Aster Wood and the Lost Maps of Almara by J.B. Cantwell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Aster Wood and the Lost Maps of Almara by J.B. Cantwell is the first installment of the Aster Wood series. This story is about Aster Wood, who finds out that he is the one to find the sorcerer, Almara.

This story is full of magic and different worlds that Aster has to follow to find Almara. This story was good, but the flow of the story was interrupted by the editing. If the editing would have been better, then this would have been an easy 5 star read.

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Review: Dragon's Heir

Dragon's Heir by Kandi J. Wyatt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dragon's Heir by Kandi J. Wyatt is the second installment of the Dragon Courage series. Ten winters have went by since the first book. Rider Braidyn and his dragon, Turqueso, have made a home, so to speak, in the town of Boeskay. He finds out that two nestlings have been stolen and he vows to find out who is responsible.

This is one of my most favorite series. I absolutely adore the characters that I have come to know. Kandi's ability to have family times included in her books is heartwarming. Her writing is smooth and flows wonderfully. This is a wonderful story for all ages.


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Review: The Treemakers

The Treemakers by Christina L. Rozelle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Treemakers by Christina L. Rozelle is the first book of The Treemakers Trilogy. It's about a 16 year old girl, Joy, who has to work making "trees" so everyone will have air to breath. Joy becomes restless and wants to flee the prison and the torment the Superiors have thrust upon all those who make the "trees."

This is a very interesting concept. I have never read a book quite like this. The world building was fabulous and the characters were well fleshed out. The author spins a wonderful tale of a world so far gone that it is frightening. I can't wait to read the second installment.



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Review: Made to Kill

Made to Kill by Adam Christopher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Made to Kill by Adam Christopher is part of the Ray Electromatic Mysteries, but I am not certain what order the books follow. It's about Ray Electromatic and his business of killer for hire in disguise of a private detective company.

I absolutely loved this book! It reminded me of the '50s B rated sci-fi movies. This book brought back a lot of childhood memories of my mom and me watching B movies until all hours of the night.

This story has great characters and wonderful story telling. I can't wait to read more of the Ray Electromatic Mysteries.

I won this copy in a giveaway and all opinions are my own.

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FLYLēF - Young Adult Book Blog for Reviews and Giveaways: May Book of Choice Giveaway

FLYLēF - Young Adult Book Blog for Reviews and Giveaways: May Book of Choice Giveaway: HELLO FRIENDS AND visitors, and welcome to the May Book of Choice Giveaway Hop hosted here at FLYLēF! I'll be selecting one (1) winne...

                    A Progress Update on the Wild Goose Chase                  Reading Challenge Hosted by Bookshelf Gargoyle

                 So far, I have completed four of the seven categories in the Wild Goose Chase Challenge.

         

                 For  category one: Wildness I chose:

                                         

The Legend of Vanx Malic by M.R. Mathias

Genre: Adult Fantasy

Pages: 315

My rating: 3 stars

Goodreads blurb: A half-Zythian bard is in chains for getting too well aquainted with the Duke of Highlake's wife. And thats just the begining.....

The Legend of Vanx Malic is a continuing “serial” type of fantasy affair. After I finished writing The Wardstone Trilogy, I still had several months to go before I would be released from prison. I did not want to lapse in my religious routine of penning three thousand words a day, so I didn’t. Book One – Through the Wildwood, is a fun and intense book that introduces a few of the series main characters. I have over a thousand pages worth of Vanx Malic and his curious group of companions sitting here in longhand. I will be publishing them in eBook format, about two hundred fifty pages at a time, over the next year and a half.

                For category two: Birds I chose:

Orville Mouse and the Puzzle of the Clockwork Glowbirds by Tom Hoffman

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

Pages: 288

My rating: 3 stars

Goodreads blurb: 2016 Gold Medal Winner Best YA Adventure Book • Readers Favorite International Book Awards 

A wildly inventive tale from the creator of Bartholomew the Adventurer. The Orville Wellington Mouse series is lots of fun, filled with adventure and humor, while still retaining the much deeper themes of spirituality, ethics, and metaphysics for those who have an interest in such things. A fun read for all ages!

Orville Wellington Mouse lives with his Mum in the quiet fishing village of Muridaan Falls, Symoca. His life takes an unexpected turn when he learns his best friend Sophia Mouse is not only from another planet, but is also a member of the Shapers Guild, a group of powerful mice who are able to convert their thoughts into physical objects. 

When Orville notices a group of seven glowbirds exhibiting rather extraordinary behavior, he and Sophia attempt to uncover the origin of the unusual birds but soon find themselves enmeshed in a fiendish plot to embroil Symoca in a horrific war. Captured by the powerful and mysterious Red Mouse, the two adventurers are hurled through a spectral door into the terrifying world of Periculum, home of the dreaded giant carnivorous centipedes. 

With help from the secretive Metaphysical Adventurers, Proto the Rabbiton, the Mad Mouse of Muridaan, a gigantic Gnorli bird, some ghostly Anarkkian warriors, and the enigmatic Monks of the Blue Robe, Orville and Sophia must find their way home and stop the evil Red Mouse before he destroys Symoca.

                 For category four: An Object to Hunt For I chose:

The Silver Serpent by David Debord

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 284

My rating: 4 stars

Goodreads blurb: The frost creeps again... 

Taught the sword from childhood, Shanis Malan's only dream is to be a soldier, but a woman cannot join the Galdoran army. She thinks her dream has come true when Prince Lerryn hosts a tournament in her town, but circumstances snatch her from her home and carry her into the midst of a quest for a legendary artifact that can save the world from the minions of Tichris the Ice King. Join Shanis and her friends on a perilous quest for the Silver Serpent. Hugo Award-winner Ron Miller calls The Silver Serpent "A superb story told believably and unpretentiously by a superb new author." The Asgard Oracle calls The Silver Serpent "A gripping epic fantasy in the tradition of Robert Jordan, Raymond Feist and David Eddings." 

                   For category six: Transport I chose:

The Sneaker Tree by Phil Taylor

Genre: Paranormal, Horror, Mystery

Pages: 340

My rating: 5 stars

Goodreads blurb: Remember when you were a kid and you had that one magical summer that seemed to last a lifetime? Cooper, Gooby, Chuck, Cliff and Bolo don't know it, but they are in the midst of a summer they will never forget. Their small town is paralyzed with fear as a serial killer preys upon children and The Golden Boys seem to be the only ones who have a chance to stop him. A life-long bond is forged between them as they confront each other, their worst fears and a killer that is more than anyone could possibly imagine. Filled with suspense, heart and humor, The Sneaker Tree has something for everyone.

To find out more about the Wild Goose Chase Challenge follow the link below:

https://thebookshelfgargoyle.wordpress.com/wild-goose-chase-reading-challenge-2017-sign-up-page/

              

Review: Hero of Hacksaw Ridge: The gripping true story that inspired the movie

Hero of Hacksaw Ridge: The gripping true story that inspired the movie by Booton Herndon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Hero of Hacksaw Ridge by Booton Herndon is based on the true story of Desmond T. Doss, Heroic War Objector and recipient of the Purple Heart and Medal of Honor.

While this book is short (126 pg.), it has a great impact. We follow Doss through his challenges of maintaining his belief in God, therefore being a conscientious objector in World War II. He faces ridicule over his faith while never losing it.

This is definitely a book to read, but note that Doss' story is based on his faith and belief in God.

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Review: The Tumor

The Tumor by John Grisham
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Tumor by John Grisham is more like a hospital brochure on focused ultrasound. Focused ultrasound is a new treatment for a lot of tumorous cancers. Focused ultrasound is in its infancy, so there is a great need to inform people of this new treatment. This brochure was very informative and gives new hope for people who suffer from cancerous tumors.



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