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amandasbookreview's Reviews (966)
I absolutely love when I can snag a complete series. After I finished the novella, I was able to dive right into book 1 of the Sisters of Danu Series, Forbidden Fate by Mia Pride. In the novella, we were introduced to Ceara and Garreth. Now, we are introduced to Gwynneth. She has suffered a traumatic injury and has lost her memory. She believes the man who rescued her, Liam, is her husband. However, that is not the case. She is the daughter of a king and was wed to an evil man who tried to have her killed. Liam is only protecting her until her memory returns. Liam and Gwynneth had loved each other for years before she was married. Liam tries to protect her, but doing so breaks his heart. Gwynneth has to get her memory back and with it a truly violent past.
This book is just a powerhouse of emotion! Gwynneth has been through the worst experiences imaginable. For those who are sensitive to abuse and sexual violence, this may not be the book for you. However, I think these themes are extremely important and need to be addressed. Many women have gone through this and this story shows one woman and how she copes with her traumatic past. I love how Gwynneth is portrayed. She is strong, yet wounded. She realizes she has to heal. Liam may be just the person to help her.
Liam is a fantastic character. He is protective, even to the point where he suffers as well. He is just loving and that is what makes this romance so endearing. There is so much more to love with this series. The historical details make me feel as if I am there. I am also loving the added fantasy and folklore to the story. It really gives the story so much depth! I can’t wait to read more! I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.
This book is just a powerhouse of emotion! Gwynneth has been through the worst experiences imaginable. For those who are sensitive to abuse and sexual violence, this may not be the book for you. However, I think these themes are extremely important and need to be addressed. Many women have gone through this and this story shows one woman and how she copes with her traumatic past. I love how Gwynneth is portrayed. She is strong, yet wounded. She realizes she has to heal. Liam may be just the person to help her.
Liam is a fantastic character. He is protective, even to the point where he suffers as well. He is just loving and that is what makes this romance so endearing. There is so much more to love with this series. The historical details make me feel as if I am there. I am also loving the added fantasy and folklore to the story. It really gives the story so much depth! I can’t wait to read more! I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.
It is quite impossible to put this series down! Foretold Fate is the second book in the Sisters of Danu Series by Mia Pride. So far, readers of the series have been introduced to Ceara and Gwynneth. In book two, we meet Una. She has no more family left after her mother dies. King Brocc grew up with Una and has been in love with her for years. Una has feelings for Brocc but she is common born. She believes that she is not enough for him. Brocc is desperate to prove to her that she is everything to him. Little does she know there is more to her and she has a family.
I absolutely adore how this series is connected and how all the storylines are coming together. I love the theme of family and how a family can be with those who aren’t blood. I love the development and the discovery of ones worth that is so predominant in this series. Una can be frustrating at first but she grows! Brocc is a bit of a dolt. There were times where I literally facepalmed when he was being an idiot. However, there is no denying the passionate love between them!
Once, again the blend of historical detail and Celtic folklore is absolutely fantastic! The folklore adds such a wonderful mystical element to this historical romance. After I finished this book, I immediately started book 3 and I can’t wait to share with you my thoughts! I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars!
I absolutely adore how this series is connected and how all the storylines are coming together. I love the theme of family and how a family can be with those who aren’t blood. I love the development and the discovery of ones worth that is so predominant in this series. Una can be frustrating at first but she grows! Brocc is a bit of a dolt. There were times where I literally facepalmed when he was being an idiot. However, there is no denying the passionate love between them!
Once, again the blend of historical detail and Celtic folklore is absolutely fantastic! The folklore adds such a wonderful mystical element to this historical romance. After I finished this book, I immediately started book 3 and I can’t wait to share with you my thoughts! I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars!
Here it is! The finale to the Sisters of Danu Series. Forgotten Fate by Mia Pride is the third and final book and I am sad to see it end. In the last book, all the storylines had finally connected. This book takes place years later when the Sisters of Danu have children of their own who are grown and falling in love. They were told they were destined for something great. Their powers give them control over an element but years have gone by. Just when they think there is nothing more to the legend, war begins to loom. Only the Sisters of Danu, with the help of their loved ones, can turn the tide of war, but they will need faery relics to help them.
I read this book in an afternoon. I could not put it down. It is so bittersweet to see a lovely conclusion but at the same time, it leaves you wanting more. This book brings in so many more great characters. My favorite has to be Ceara’s daughter Aislin. I could read a whole series about her. She is such a fierce and unapologetic woman!
This final book definitely leans more into the folklore and legend than the previous books. There are more faeries present and the search for the relics makes for an exciting adventure. One of my favorite aspects in this book is the decision between what is right and wrong. All the characters seem to come to a point where they are tempted to make a selfish choice. However, the guilt and conflict add depth to all the characters.
This has been such a fantastic series and such a pleasure to read. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars!
I read this book in an afternoon. I could not put it down. It is so bittersweet to see a lovely conclusion but at the same time, it leaves you wanting more. This book brings in so many more great characters. My favorite has to be Ceara’s daughter Aislin. I could read a whole series about her. She is such a fierce and unapologetic woman!
This final book definitely leans more into the folklore and legend than the previous books. There are more faeries present and the search for the relics makes for an exciting adventure. One of my favorite aspects in this book is the decision between what is right and wrong. All the characters seem to come to a point where they are tempted to make a selfish choice. However, the guilt and conflict add depth to all the characters.
This has been such a fantastic series and such a pleasure to read. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars!
I know I have mentioned this before but I LOVE Chirp. It is so nice to be able to listen to an audiobook when you don’t have the time to reread any more books. I just listened to Emma by Jane Austen, read by Jenny Agutter. This is not my favorite Jane Austen novel, but I still adore it.
Emma Woodhouse thinks herself as a successful matchmaker and also thinks very highly of herself. After one success at matchmaking her governess and a dear friend, she continues to insert herself in the lives of her friends…but as it turns out, she is quite oblivious as those around her.
This Jane Austen classic touches on subjects that were in the wealthier society of England. The societal rules and formalities can make one’s head spin. There is also the concept of the wealthier being involved with those in lower classes and soon the lines begin to blur. But the star is Emma. She is the center of everything. She represents a woman who is self-assured and educated who is not afraid to be herself in a time when women were considered to be beneath men. Romance is somehow not a huge theme even though the story involves couples coming together. I love that deep down it is about women friendships, confidence, and finding oneself in a man’s world.
I love, love, love the narrator, Jenny Agutter! She really captured the voices and tone of the novel. Overall, I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars! If you love Jane Austen or classics, then this one is a treasure!
Emma Woodhouse thinks herself as a successful matchmaker and also thinks very highly of herself. After one success at matchmaking her governess and a dear friend, she continues to insert herself in the lives of her friends…but as it turns out, she is quite oblivious as those around her.
This Jane Austen classic touches on subjects that were in the wealthier society of England. The societal rules and formalities can make one’s head spin. There is also the concept of the wealthier being involved with those in lower classes and soon the lines begin to blur. But the star is Emma. She is the center of everything. She represents a woman who is self-assured and educated who is not afraid to be herself in a time when women were considered to be beneath men. Romance is somehow not a huge theme even though the story involves couples coming together. I love that deep down it is about women friendships, confidence, and finding oneself in a man’s world.
I love, love, love the narrator, Jenny Agutter! She really captured the voices and tone of the novel. Overall, I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars! If you love Jane Austen or classics, then this one is a treasure!
I have been wanting to read The Witcher series for years! I love watching my husband play the games–I am not good with video games, I just watch. But now with the show coming out soon, I have started reading the books! The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski is the introduction to The Witcher. A witcher is a sorcerer and an assassin trained to kill monsters that terrorize the world. Geralt of Rivia is smart, powerful and abides by his own code. He travels around killing monsters for money. He meets a striga, a beast, a vampire, a djinn and many more creatures. He discovers that not all monsters are evil, and that evil can have a beautiful face.
I wish I could just lock myself up all weekend and read this series nonstop! This book is very rich in detail in regards to the magic, spells, and monsters. The fight scenes are super descriptive and intricate. I love that all of Geralt’s adventures are fairytale twists. Geralt is a fascinating character and yet so complicated. I can’t wait to read more about him. He is the type to make mistakes and own up to them. He is cunning, yet still learning. He can be blinded and tricked by beautiful things.
The story also introduces Yennefer…I am not sure how I feel about her yet. She is obviously a strong female presence and a powerful sorceress, but she seems untrustworthy and knows how to manipulate those around her.
Since this book is an introduction and collection of adventures, it flows differently. But it is quite difficult to put down. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. I can’t wait to pick up the next book in the series.
I wish I could just lock myself up all weekend and read this series nonstop! This book is very rich in detail in regards to the magic, spells, and monsters. The fight scenes are super descriptive and intricate. I love that all of Geralt’s adventures are fairytale twists. Geralt is a fascinating character and yet so complicated. I can’t wait to read more about him. He is the type to make mistakes and own up to them. He is cunning, yet still learning. He can be blinded and tricked by beautiful things.
The story also introduces Yennefer…I am not sure how I feel about her yet. She is obviously a strong female presence and a powerful sorceress, but she seems untrustworthy and knows how to manipulate those around her.
Since this book is an introduction and collection of adventures, it flows differently. But it is quite difficult to put down. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. I can’t wait to pick up the next book in the series.
Touch me Softly by Kelly Violet is the first book in the Reawakening Series. The book introduces a tortured young woman named Wynter. She has not been the same for a year since she has been attacked. She is in constant torture so much so, that she can’t seem to tell even her best friend. Her best friend comes home from a work trip and begs to take her to see the band Country Blue. Wyn’s best friend is dating the band leader, so she feels that she has to go in order to support her friend, but is also terrified of seeing the man who attacked her. At the show, she discovers he isn’t there. However, there is a new bassist named Rafe. He can’t take his eyes off of Wyn. Rafe senses her discomfort and her pain but is determined to make her feel safe. Will Wyn let Rafe in?
This romance novel is utterly powerful! Be prepared that there are some intense themes within this story and possible triggers regarding sexual assault. I love stories that are REAL! Everything in this story is real from the characters to their reactions to their experiences. Nothing felt like fiction. I felt that the character could easily be my friends in real life. Wyn is everything. Her experiences are absolutely heartbreaking, but her strength is everything! OH, and I can’t forget about Rafe. That is real love. He is patient, understanding, and most of all…respectful. The novel is written beautifully and flows at the perfect pace. I really felt the emotion that the author put into the words. I can’t wait for book two!
But can we also talk about that cover? Lord, it is gorgeous! I love everything about this story. I feel that readers can relate to all of it. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars!
This romance novel is utterly powerful! Be prepared that there are some intense themes within this story and possible triggers regarding sexual assault. I love stories that are REAL! Everything in this story is real from the characters to their reactions to their experiences. Nothing felt like fiction. I felt that the character could easily be my friends in real life. Wyn is everything. Her experiences are absolutely heartbreaking, but her strength is everything! OH, and I can’t forget about Rafe. That is real love. He is patient, understanding, and most of all…respectful. The novel is written beautifully and flows at the perfect pace. I really felt the emotion that the author put into the words. I can’t wait for book two!
But can we also talk about that cover? Lord, it is gorgeous! I love everything about this story. I feel that readers can relate to all of it. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars!
If you see Rust and Stardust by T. Greenwood on a bookstore shelf, it is difficult to walk by it. Just look at that cover. However, the cover hides a very dark story. This book is about the abduction of Florence (Sally) Horner in 1948. Sally is eleven years old and is desperate to fit in with a group of girls. For her to join their group she has to go through an initiation. When she goes to the store to steal a notebook as a park of her initiation, an older gentlemen stops her and claims to be with the FBI. Terrified, Sally goes with him. Little does she know that he is a serial rapist named Frank LaSalle. He keeps her and abuses her for the next two years of her life, leaving behind a family working so hard to find her.
This has to be one of the darkest books I have ever read. Be warned, this book involves mental abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and animal abuse. This book is based on the heartbreaking, but true story. T. Greenwood does an absolutely unbelievable job and bringing this story to light. The subject is horrifying, but the writing is stunning. The book flows from Sally’s perspective to her family’s perspective quite flawlessly. I read this book quickly, the pace is never dull.
The author did a great job of capturing Sally’s personality and how she endures this torture. The supporting characters like Lena, Ruth, and Sister Mary Katherine are phenomenal as well. They saw something wrong and did what they could to make Sally’s life more bearable. I won’t sugarcoat the ending. It is absolutely devastating, yet tragically beautiful. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Thank you, Goodreads for a copy of this book!
This has to be one of the darkest books I have ever read. Be warned, this book involves mental abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and animal abuse. This book is based on the heartbreaking, but true story. T. Greenwood does an absolutely unbelievable job and bringing this story to light. The subject is horrifying, but the writing is stunning. The book flows from Sally’s perspective to her family’s perspective quite flawlessly. I read this book quickly, the pace is never dull.
The author did a great job of capturing Sally’s personality and how she endures this torture. The supporting characters like Lena, Ruth, and Sister Mary Katherine are phenomenal as well. They saw something wrong and did what they could to make Sally’s life more bearable. I won’t sugarcoat the ending. It is absolutely devastating, yet tragically beautiful. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Thank you, Goodreads for a copy of this book!
“February 20th, 1984, my mother checked into Hillbrow Hospital for a scheduled c-section delivery. Estranged from her family, pregnant by a man she could not be seen with in public, she was alone. The doctors took her up to the delivery room, cut open her belly, and reached in and pulled out a half-white, half-black child who violated any number of laws, statutes, and regulations—I was born a crime.”
BORN A CRIME, PAGE 26
I read Born A Crime by Trevor Noah in less than a day. I was an immediate fan of Trevor Noah when he took over The Daily Show. Then I came across some of his stand-up, so NOT buying his book wasn’t an option. The book is filled with stories from being raised in South Africa. Trevor Noah was born to a black Xhosa mother and a white Swiss father. He was born in the last years of apartheid, so at the time it was against the law for his parents to be together. Before the apartheid ended, Trevor had to mostly remain indoors. In these 18 essays, he discusses not just his childhood, but the history of South Africa, social constructs and changes, racism, poverty, education, friendship, and family.
I loved Trevor Noah before, but even more so now. His coming-of-age memoir is a mixture of so many emotions. It is eye-opening, yet at times, humorous. In this book, he is not just discussing his life, he is teaching his readers. Many people do not know about the history in South Africa and what it was like to grow up there. It is so refreshing to see an honest picture of how he grew up. It is impossible to pick a favorite story or lesson. There is so much I enjoyed about this book. I did love the essay about how he and his mother would argue, so she started writing letters to him so he couldn’t talk back. I was in tears with his responses.
I need to take a moment though and talk about the true star of this memoir…his mother. What an incredible woman. She is the definition of fierce. She does utilize a lot of tough love ways of parenting, but there is never a doubt that she loves him with all her being. I don’t want to spoil anything, but his last essay is everything. It is heartbreaking and inspiring. This is easily going to be one of my favorite memoirs of all time. It does not matter your politics, this book is for everyone. I would give this book 10 out of 5 stars if I could. Alas, it will have to settle for 5 out 5 stars!
BORN A CRIME, PAGE 26
I read Born A Crime by Trevor Noah in less than a day. I was an immediate fan of Trevor Noah when he took over The Daily Show. Then I came across some of his stand-up, so NOT buying his book wasn’t an option. The book is filled with stories from being raised in South Africa. Trevor Noah was born to a black Xhosa mother and a white Swiss father. He was born in the last years of apartheid, so at the time it was against the law for his parents to be together. Before the apartheid ended, Trevor had to mostly remain indoors. In these 18 essays, he discusses not just his childhood, but the history of South Africa, social constructs and changes, racism, poverty, education, friendship, and family.
I loved Trevor Noah before, but even more so now. His coming-of-age memoir is a mixture of so many emotions. It is eye-opening, yet at times, humorous. In this book, he is not just discussing his life, he is teaching his readers. Many people do not know about the history in South Africa and what it was like to grow up there. It is so refreshing to see an honest picture of how he grew up. It is impossible to pick a favorite story or lesson. There is so much I enjoyed about this book. I did love the essay about how he and his mother would argue, so she started writing letters to him so he couldn’t talk back. I was in tears with his responses.
I need to take a moment though and talk about the true star of this memoir…his mother. What an incredible woman. She is the definition of fierce. She does utilize a lot of tough love ways of parenting, but there is never a doubt that she loves him with all her being. I don’t want to spoil anything, but his last essay is everything. It is heartbreaking and inspiring. This is easily going to be one of my favorite memoirs of all time. It does not matter your politics, this book is for everyone. I would give this book 10 out of 5 stars if I could. Alas, it will have to settle for 5 out 5 stars!
“Alaska isn’t about who you were when you headed this way. It’s about who you become.”
THE GREAT ALONE
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah is the Beaumont Bookworms selection for August and I can honestly say it was a hit for the most part. The story begins in 1974 when Leni’s parents decide to move to Alaska. Her father is home from being a POW in Vietnam and has severe PTSD. Her father believes escaping to the frontier of Alaska will make their family better. Alaska is fierce, even the smallest mistake can be fatal. They are not prepared for the harsh land, but their community steps in to help. Things seem well, but her father grows steadily worse. Leni soon realizes she not only has to survive Alaska but inside her home as well.
One thing about this book is that it triggers so many emotions. The novel as a whole is incredibly bleak, but there are glimmers of hope. The book conveys fear so tangible that I could not stop worrying for the characters, even when I was not reading the book. But the same thing could go for love. Not just romantic love, but family love and the love between friends. Speaking of which, I probably would have hated the book if Large Marge, Thelma, Tom and the others in the community weren’t such an integral part of the story. They made the story for me. Their unrelenting loyalty, support, and love are unrivaled. I did enjoy Leni and Matthew, but they did make stupid mistakes and even acknowledge the mistakes before they are about to make them. However, Leni’s development from a girl to a woman to a survivor is perfect.
This difficult part of the story is the abuse. It really highlights the complexity of domestic abuse, the victims, and issues with mental health. Throughout the story, it is mentioned that Her father became abusive after the war, but there are clues throughout that he was abusive before the war. Overall, the story flows beautifully and written so well that it is impossible to put down. The harsh realities of humans versus nature are described so perfectly. So I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. I definitely recommend it!
THE GREAT ALONE
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah is the Beaumont Bookworms selection for August and I can honestly say it was a hit for the most part. The story begins in 1974 when Leni’s parents decide to move to Alaska. Her father is home from being a POW in Vietnam and has severe PTSD. Her father believes escaping to the frontier of Alaska will make their family better. Alaska is fierce, even the smallest mistake can be fatal. They are not prepared for the harsh land, but their community steps in to help. Things seem well, but her father grows steadily worse. Leni soon realizes she not only has to survive Alaska but inside her home as well.
One thing about this book is that it triggers so many emotions. The novel as a whole is incredibly bleak, but there are glimmers of hope. The book conveys fear so tangible that I could not stop worrying for the characters, even when I was not reading the book. But the same thing could go for love. Not just romantic love, but family love and the love between friends. Speaking of which, I probably would have hated the book if Large Marge, Thelma, Tom and the others in the community weren’t such an integral part of the story. They made the story for me. Their unrelenting loyalty, support, and love are unrivaled. I did enjoy Leni and Matthew, but they did make stupid mistakes and even acknowledge the mistakes before they are about to make them. However, Leni’s development from a girl to a woman to a survivor is perfect.
This difficult part of the story is the abuse. It really highlights the complexity of domestic abuse, the victims, and issues with mental health. Throughout the story, it is mentioned that Her father became abusive after the war, but there are clues throughout that he was abusive before the war. Overall, the story flows beautifully and written so well that it is impossible to put down. The harsh realities of humans versus nature are described so perfectly. So I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. I definitely recommend it!
"This paranormal romance is epic!"
Check out the full review at InD'Tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2019/september/viewer/desktop/#page/82
Check out the full review at InD'Tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2019/september/viewer/desktop/#page/82