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aebennettwrites's reviews
282 reviews
Hotel Fen by Meri Benson
5.0
Plenty of mystery and pulse-pounding anticipation! What a unique book! I was immediately drawn into this somewhat creepy tale. (I will admit, I have a weakness for mysterious hotels.) We meet our main character Victor just as he arrives in the Scandinavian mountains after winning a free trip. Victor is an author with a passion for Norse history and mythology, and through his eyes we notice that this hotel is steeped in symbolism associated with Norse gods. Soon after his arrival, Victor meets Silje, another hotel guest. As the attraction between them develops, unease about the hotel does, as well. Benson and Sinadjan do a fantastic job building a sense of foreboding while fanning the flames between Victor and Silje. This is a must-read for mystery fans and fans of Norse mythology.
A Different Kind of Magic by Chesney Infalt
4.0
A fun read! Infalt immediately ropes us into main character Isabela Fuerte's story as we join her fleeing from bounty hunters. When Isabela, a spell-caster, demands sanctuary in the town church, she doesn't know how much her life is about to change. Soon she finds herself in the service of the powerful Grahm family and, though she years for escape, can't help but feel drawn to the eldest son, Thomas. Infalt does an excellent job weaving her own unique elements into this European-esque world and her magic system does not disappoint. This book has a little less heat than I like in my romance, but overall I enjoyed it.
Know Thy demons by Sionnach Wintergreen
4.0
In an alternate 1985, troubled teen Frank Hope is just trying to make it to high school graduation. Frank is considered a loser by his peers, ostracized because of his sexuality and socio-economic status; however, things are about to change for him. In this 1985, everything from cars to factories to the space shuttle is powered by demon essence instead of fossil fuels. A series of events leads Frank to meet Kasimir - a being from another realm and what humans would call a demon. Though Frank and Kasimir are from two different worlds, they find themselves thrust together and realize they might just be what the other needs. Wintergreen does an excellent job weaving "real" 1980s pop culture into this tale, and I was rooting for these star-crossed lovers from the beginning. While I grew incredibly frustrated with main character Frank at times, I'm eager to find out what happens next in the story.
The Lost King by T.M. Kohl
5.0
If you're looking for fantasy with a different spin, check this book out. Kohl weaves an interesting and intricate tale between two worlds -- ours and a fantasy realm. We meet main character Lauren Strauss, who just wants to lead a normal life, despite her mother's mysterious past and her father's untimely death. We soon learn all is not what it seems when Lauren is ripped away from our world and finds herself in what we would call a fantasy land. Kohl is an excellent writer. Her scene-setting is extraordinary and her world-building is top-notch. Enjoyed this one a lot!
Amulet of Wishes by Rita A. Rubin
5.0
This book was so much fun! Derek Draco is a very likable MC. (He's the type of guy I would have been friends with as a teen.) I was immediately drawn into his story and I really enjoyed the banter and interactions between him and his friends, Jared and Arabelle. Rubin's world building is very well done and I especially liked the names of the taverns and shops in Aloseria. There was enough peril during the adventure to keep me turning page after page long after I should have been asleep, and I finished this book in a few days. I'm very excited to see what comes next in this series!
Soul of Lucifer: Found by Rune Rivers
5.0
This second book in the Soul of Lucifer series was a real treat. More witty banter and a few twists and turns kept my attention. A great follow up to the first book that had me reading well into the night. (The only thing that stopped me was the inability to keep my eyes open.) I don't want to say too much, lest I spoil something, but I'm eager to learn where this story will take main character Oren next!
Under Stone and Shadow by A.E. Bross
5.0
This second book in the series opens with main character Tirzah living with a caravan after fleeing the terrifying God-King Hovilan. Bross again ropes us into this well-developed, yet still mysterious, world as Tirzah and the caravan make their way across the desert. Along the way, we're introduced to a diverse cast of characters, some lovable and some deplorable but all intriguing. I don't want to say too much more and give things away, but I'm very much looking forward to the third book and reading about what happens next!
Arabelle's Story by Rita A. Rubin
5.0
This story was short and sweet and an excellent companion to Rubin's Chronicles of the Guardians series. Both Arabelle and Derek are cute characters, and reading Arabelle's backstory was a fun addition to this series. I tend to enjoy reading short stories like this as anthologies, and I think Rubin might be planning more, so I'm excited to see what's in store for us as readers in the future!