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kellygillespiewv's reviews
636 reviews
An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson
5.0
***Full review on wildandwonderfulreads.com ***
Actualy rating: 4.5 stars
Simply speaking, some books are worth the hype...An Enchantment of Ravens is one of them!
An Enchantment of Ravens is a divine piece of writing. Margaret Rogerson's first novel is completely masterful and full of whimsy, which is fitting, given that the name of the town in which the humans live is called just that.
Rogerson 100% won me over with her writing! Her style is charismatic, brimming with imagery, and laced with sarcasm. I felt something -- everything -- while reading this book.
An Enchantment of Ravens follows a gifted human artist, Isobel, and her experiences with her fae clients; one experience leading to a journey with the disgruntled autumnlands prince, Rook. This is largely the story of their dangerous trek and their risky feelings towards one another.
The premise of An Enchantment of Ravens compelled me to pick up this book, and the twists and turns kept me from wanting to put it down. I really enjoyed the story Rogerson imagined. However, I couldn't help but feel a little like, through its entirety, we were merely put in a jar, shaken up, and dumped right back out again. In other words, I'm not sure I feel like the plot really went anywhere, despite how much I enjoyed the tale that was told.
I was also left wanting. This book could have easily been longer, and I would have gladly taken it! Someone please tell me this is going to be a series!?!
The world building is stunning and the characters are so imaginative! I could honestly see the setting of this book. Rogerson writes so descriptively and beautifully that I have no doubt what Whimsy and the fairy courts look like. I also greatly appreciate how easily I could visualize the characters. Again, the imagery is on point!
I absolutely adored the characters in An Enchantment of Ravens. The humans are so relatable, and the fae are so...fae!
I didn't find Isobel and Rook to be overdone, either. Yes, they are quick to "fall in love," but they are there for each other throughout the story in a genuine way, and I really enjoyed that, as well as the push and pull that we see between them. It isn't a story of the fae prince saving the weak human OR the human saving the world on her own. This is a happy medium.
Overall, An Enchantment of Ravens is truly a gem! I would recommend this book to fans of SJM and even fans of plot twists à la Caraval. If you appreciate great writing, this is also a book for you! High recommend, guys!
*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced galley of this book. Please note that it, in no way, affected my opinion or review.
Actualy rating: 4.5 stars
Simply speaking, some books are worth the hype...An Enchantment of Ravens is one of them!
An Enchantment of Ravens is a divine piece of writing. Margaret Rogerson's first novel is completely masterful and full of whimsy, which is fitting, given that the name of the town in which the humans live is called just that.
Rogerson 100% won me over with her writing! Her style is charismatic, brimming with imagery, and laced with sarcasm. I felt something -- everything -- while reading this book.
An Enchantment of Ravens follows a gifted human artist, Isobel, and her experiences with her fae clients; one experience leading to a journey with the disgruntled autumnlands prince, Rook. This is largely the story of their dangerous trek and their risky feelings towards one another.
The premise of An Enchantment of Ravens compelled me to pick up this book, and the twists and turns kept me from wanting to put it down. I really enjoyed the story Rogerson imagined. However, I couldn't help but feel a little like, through its entirety, we were merely put in a jar, shaken up, and dumped right back out again. In other words, I'm not sure I feel like the plot really went anywhere, despite how much I enjoyed the tale that was told.
I was also left wanting. This book could have easily been longer, and I would have gladly taken it! Someone please tell me this is going to be a series!?!
The world building is stunning and the characters are so imaginative! I could honestly see the setting of this book. Rogerson writes so descriptively and beautifully that I have no doubt what Whimsy and the fairy courts look like. I also greatly appreciate how easily I could visualize the characters. Again, the imagery is on point!
I absolutely adored the characters in An Enchantment of Ravens. The humans are so relatable, and the fae are so...fae!
I didn't find Isobel and Rook to be overdone, either. Yes, they are quick to "fall in love," but they are there for each other throughout the story in a genuine way, and I really enjoyed that, as well as the push and pull that we see between them. It isn't a story of the fae prince saving the weak human OR the human saving the world on her own. This is a happy medium.
Overall, An Enchantment of Ravens is truly a gem! I would recommend this book to fans of SJM and even fans of plot twists à la Caraval. If you appreciate great writing, this is also a book for you! High recommend, guys!
*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced galley of this book. Please note that it, in no way, affected my opinion or review.
Starpassage: Book Two, Heroes and Martyrs by Clark Rich Burbidge
3.0
***Full review on wildandwonderfulreads.com ***
Although I am clearly not in the target audience for Middle Grade literature, I do enjoy it! I was excited when approached with the opportunity to read the StarPassage saga.
Clark Burbidge studied and practiced business, but he has enjoyed a sense of adventure in his life near the Rockies, which might have influenced his writing. StarPassage: Book Two, Heroes and Martyrs is a great tale of overcoming trials, epic ventures, and lessons in life and faith.
Burbidge's writing didn't wow me. I actually found myself wishing it was more colloquial.
There were several occasions throughout StarPassage 2 where lessons were evidently being delivered, which was wonderful -- I'm all about lessons in literature, but the manner in which they were executed was not stellar. Kids are smart and can sense that something is unrealistic just as easily as I can. This was my biggest issue with this book. Writing and execution can make or break a book for me just as easily as plot, world building and character development for me.
StarPassage 2 follows Mike and Bobby, two brothers who experience something traumatic, and Tim and Martie, siblings who have the capability to time travel with the help of the Star, a relic that makes it all possible. Tim and Martie will help Mike and Bobby in the healing process while trekking across time on important but dangerous journeys, learning how to lean on each other and cope.
The premise of this story is really entertaining! There is a good combination of time travel, history, and faith, which made for a fun but meaningful tale. As I mentioned before, there are tough times that need to be overcome and lessons in life to be learned, and I, personally, really like to see things like that in books. I have taken a lot of my own life lessons from literature!
I really liked the characters of StarPassage 2, generally speaking, but jumping back to what I previously said about some things being unrealistic, I found some of the characters' speech and actions to be too mature, parental in a way, for their portrayed ages. Tim was my favorite, though. He was such a good friend! He also made me wish I had a big brother like him.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read. I highly doubt a tween is going to read this as critically as I did, so I think the target audience will like StarPassage: Book Two, Heroes and Martyrs. I actually think a lot of YA fans will also like it, especially if they like Christian literature.
*Thanks to PR by the Book for providing me with a copy of this book. Please note that it, in no way, had an effect on my opinion or review.
Although I am clearly not in the target audience for Middle Grade literature, I do enjoy it! I was excited when approached with the opportunity to read the StarPassage saga.
Clark Burbidge studied and practiced business, but he has enjoyed a sense of adventure in his life near the Rockies, which might have influenced his writing. StarPassage: Book Two, Heroes and Martyrs is a great tale of overcoming trials, epic ventures, and lessons in life and faith.
Burbidge's writing didn't wow me. I actually found myself wishing it was more colloquial.
There were several occasions throughout StarPassage 2 where lessons were evidently being delivered, which was wonderful -- I'm all about lessons in literature, but the manner in which they were executed was not stellar. Kids are smart and can sense that something is unrealistic just as easily as I can. This was my biggest issue with this book. Writing and execution can make or break a book for me just as easily as plot, world building and character development for me.
StarPassage 2 follows Mike and Bobby, two brothers who experience something traumatic, and Tim and Martie, siblings who have the capability to time travel with the help of the Star, a relic that makes it all possible. Tim and Martie will help Mike and Bobby in the healing process while trekking across time on important but dangerous journeys, learning how to lean on each other and cope.
The premise of this story is really entertaining! There is a good combination of time travel, history, and faith, which made for a fun but meaningful tale. As I mentioned before, there are tough times that need to be overcome and lessons in life to be learned, and I, personally, really like to see things like that in books. I have taken a lot of my own life lessons from literature!
I really liked the characters of StarPassage 2, generally speaking, but jumping back to what I previously said about some things being unrealistic, I found some of the characters' speech and actions to be too mature, parental in a way, for their portrayed ages. Tim was my favorite, though. He was such a good friend! He also made me wish I had a big brother like him.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read. I highly doubt a tween is going to read this as critically as I did, so I think the target audience will like StarPassage: Book Two, Heroes and Martyrs. I actually think a lot of YA fans will also like it, especially if they like Christian literature.
*Thanks to PR by the Book for providing me with a copy of this book. Please note that it, in no way, had an effect on my opinion or review.
The Extraditionist by Todd Merer
4.0
*** Full review on www.wildandwonderfulreads.com ***
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
Sometimes, I need a good old fashioned kick in the butt by a decent book in a genre that I do actually enjoy but don't pick up nearly enough to make me realize that reading a variety of books is GOOD for me. The Extraditionist was a solid reminder of my love of thrillers.
The Extraditionist is an intense debut novel by Todd Merer, wherein his background as a criminal attorney from Brooklyn who spent a good part of his career defending cartel bosses brings light to our protagonist.
The Extraditionist follows the debaucherous protagonist, Benn Bluestone, a New York City attorney who specializes in extraditions, as he wheels and deals with the world's most dangerous drug lords. There are twists and turns and his cases spiraling out of control, but the stakes are high, and Benn is motivated by money.
I truly enjoyed Merer's writing. His style is fluid and descriptive, though, at times, too descriptive for my taste. There is a sound plot at the base of this book, but some of the layers that were added contained an excessive amount of fluff (details, characters, etc.) that didn't entirely seem necessary, and if you do not pay enough attention, the storyline easily becomes disjointed and muddled.
I was nervous that I could be lost among the unfamiliar drug trafficking lingo and setting in The Extraditionist, but that is partly what Merer takes his time explaining. I did appreciate it, but it also slowed the pace at the beginning of the book. I was hit with a LOT of information in the first quarter to third of the book that could quickly overwhelm a reader. Hang in there, guys...the reading gets much more intense soon!
Candidly, I adored our haughty, sarcastic, corrupt lead. I looked at Benn Bluestone more like an anti-hero and enjoyed him for what he is. He does not have redeeming qualities -- sorry, not sorry! If all leads were sugar sweet, I would get bored so simply. Granted, I would not go near Mr. Bluestone with a 20 foot pole in real life, but as a character in a fictional work, I absolutely loved how Merer defined him.
...if only I could keep up with all of the other characters and enjoy their development as much/effortlessly as I did with Mr. Bluestone.
Overall, I believe Todd Merer is off to something good with The Extraditionist. As it appears we will be seeing more of Mr. Bluestone (since this is listed as book #1 in his series), I am looking forward to seeing what is to come. I do recommend this read, but I recommend it to those willing/able to pay close attention because there is a lot going on. Honestly, you have to be a patient reader to enjoy books like this, but if you give it the time it deserves, it is worth it!
*Thanks to Little Bird Publicity and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with a copy of this book. Please note that it, in no way, had an effect on my opinion or review.
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
Sometimes, I need a good old fashioned kick in the butt by a decent book in a genre that I do actually enjoy but don't pick up nearly enough to make me realize that reading a variety of books is GOOD for me. The Extraditionist was a solid reminder of my love of thrillers.
The Extraditionist is an intense debut novel by Todd Merer, wherein his background as a criminal attorney from Brooklyn who spent a good part of his career defending cartel bosses brings light to our protagonist.
The Extraditionist follows the debaucherous protagonist, Benn Bluestone, a New York City attorney who specializes in extraditions, as he wheels and deals with the world's most dangerous drug lords. There are twists and turns and his cases spiraling out of control, but the stakes are high, and Benn is motivated by money.
I truly enjoyed Merer's writing. His style is fluid and descriptive, though, at times, too descriptive for my taste. There is a sound plot at the base of this book, but some of the layers that were added contained an excessive amount of fluff (details, characters, etc.) that didn't entirely seem necessary, and if you do not pay enough attention, the storyline easily becomes disjointed and muddled.
I was nervous that I could be lost among the unfamiliar drug trafficking lingo and setting in The Extraditionist, but that is partly what Merer takes his time explaining. I did appreciate it, but it also slowed the pace at the beginning of the book. I was hit with a LOT of information in the first quarter to third of the book that could quickly overwhelm a reader. Hang in there, guys...the reading gets much more intense soon!
Candidly, I adored our haughty, sarcastic, corrupt lead. I looked at Benn Bluestone more like an anti-hero and enjoyed him for what he is. He does not have redeeming qualities -- sorry, not sorry! If all leads were sugar sweet, I would get bored so simply. Granted, I would not go near Mr. Bluestone with a 20 foot pole in real life, but as a character in a fictional work, I absolutely loved how Merer defined him.
...if only I could keep up with all of the other characters and enjoy their development as much/effortlessly as I did with Mr. Bluestone.
Overall, I believe Todd Merer is off to something good with The Extraditionist. As it appears we will be seeing more of Mr. Bluestone (since this is listed as book #1 in his series), I am looking forward to seeing what is to come. I do recommend this read, but I recommend it to those willing/able to pay close attention because there is a lot going on. Honestly, you have to be a patient reader to enjoy books like this, but if you give it the time it deserves, it is worth it!
*Thanks to Little Bird Publicity and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with a copy of this book. Please note that it, in no way, had an effect on my opinion or review.
How to Hang a Witch by Adriana Mather
4.0
***full review on www.wildandwonderfulreads.com ***
Actual rating 4.25
I won’t lie… my purchase of How to Hang a Witch by Adriana Mather was wholly influenced by Instagram! Because of that, I didn’t really have grand expectations for it, although I hoped for a decent seasonal read. So, to say that I was blown away is probably an understatement.
Adriana Mather has all of the tools for greatness to author this type of a book. She is a writer, actress, and film producer, and she is the 12th generation in the Mather lineage in America. According to her Goodreads author page, her family had connections to many important American historical events, including the Salem Witch Trials and the Titanic voyage, which explains the influence on her first two novels.
How to Hang a Witch follows Samantha Mather, a high school student, during her relocation to Salem after tragedy strikes her family. Without divulging too much of the plot, the story spins the Salem Witch Trials in modern times with “Mean Girls” vibes.
I read this book at the perfect time of year — the end of October! With the setting of Salem, the background of the witch trials, and the Descendants making up the perfect cast of dark characters that you’ll love to hate (well… mostly), it was so hard to put How to Hang a Witch down. I had to know where the plot was going to lead next.
I couldn’t help but adore Samantha. She is brazen, and, though I’m sure there will be some that think she’s a snot, I loved her! She had determination and a boldness that made her stand out when she moved to Salem. Call me crazy, but I prefer characters (and people, really) who don’t simply try to fit in.
There was a lot about this book that surprised me, and I am thankful that “bookstagram made me do it” …SO MUCH SO that I immediately went out and purchased Adriana Mather’s second book, Haunting the Deep.
Overall, I would highly recommend this book! If you love young adult lit with mystery/suspense and touches of paranormal elements, go get How to Hang a Witch now; you won’t regret it! This truly was a wonderful, thrilling read.
Actual rating 4.25
I won’t lie… my purchase of How to Hang a Witch by Adriana Mather was wholly influenced by Instagram! Because of that, I didn’t really have grand expectations for it, although I hoped for a decent seasonal read. So, to say that I was blown away is probably an understatement.
Adriana Mather has all of the tools for greatness to author this type of a book. She is a writer, actress, and film producer, and she is the 12th generation in the Mather lineage in America. According to her Goodreads author page, her family had connections to many important American historical events, including the Salem Witch Trials and the Titanic voyage, which explains the influence on her first two novels.
How to Hang a Witch follows Samantha Mather, a high school student, during her relocation to Salem after tragedy strikes her family. Without divulging too much of the plot, the story spins the Salem Witch Trials in modern times with “Mean Girls” vibes.
I read this book at the perfect time of year — the end of October! With the setting of Salem, the background of the witch trials, and the Descendants making up the perfect cast of dark characters that you’ll love to hate (well… mostly), it was so hard to put How to Hang a Witch down. I had to know where the plot was going to lead next.
I couldn’t help but adore Samantha. She is brazen, and, though I’m sure there will be some that think she’s a snot, I loved her! She had determination and a boldness that made her stand out when she moved to Salem. Call me crazy, but I prefer characters (and people, really) who don’t simply try to fit in.
There was a lot about this book that surprised me, and I am thankful that “bookstagram made me do it” …SO MUCH SO that I immediately went out and purchased Adriana Mather’s second book, Haunting the Deep.
Overall, I would highly recommend this book! If you love young adult lit with mystery/suspense and touches of paranormal elements, go get How to Hang a Witch now; you won’t regret it! This truly was a wonderful, thrilling read.
Ever the Hunted by Erin Summerill
4.0
*** full review on wildandwonderfulreads.com ***
I received Ever the Hunted in a book subscription box, which typically means the book goes on the ginormous TBR pile until I have time to get to it — eventually — unless it is one of my highly anticipated reads. This one was no different.
I was not part of the book community at this time last year when Ever the Hunted released, but I followed a good number of bookstagrammers and knew that this book had some pretty good reviews. When I hit a random Springtime reading slump, I decided this book was going to get a major boost to the top of my reading list, and that decision was largely because its cover is so stunning (sorry, not sorry).
I have no regrets!
Like I touched on before, can we just take a minute to appreciate the gorgeous cover?! It’s simple, but so pretty! Seriously, well done, HMH Teen!
Now, onto the writing! Ever the Hunted is the debut novel from Erin Summerill, who has a degree in English. She is, however, a photographer by trade and worked on her book in her spare time. Not kidding, guys, her Insta is amazing because, well, she’s a professional photographer!
I enjoy Erin’s writing. I found Ever the Hunted very easy to read with a nice flow. Writing is agreeable to me when I can just read. I don’t like having to backtrack to make sure I comprehended what I read, and I did not have to do that here.
Also, it didn’t hurt that I LOVED THE STORYLINE! Granted, I am not a fan of how noninclusive the synopsis is. I would have read and enjoyed Ever the Hunted either way, but I legitimately find the synopsis to be important in whether or not a reader chooses to read a book and in influencing a reader’s thoughts as they read the story. The synopsis here just doesn’t cover enough.
Anyway, back to the plot! Without getting into specifics, I think this book has a lot to offer. The story has a great fantasy setting, epic adventure, fierce characters, betrayal and conflict, and SO MUCH MORE!
Our main characters, Britta and Cohen, won me over. Both are strong, believable, and flawed! They are both terribly stubborn, and I love the dynamic that adds. Both have experienced a lot in their short lives, and they wear those experiences like badges of honor. There is some wishy washy, back and forth thinking that had me wanting to shake Britta, but I still like her!
Just a warning: there is a solid amount of romance in Ever the Hunted. That is part of what I enjoyed, but I know a lot of YA Fantasy readers aren’t huge fans of books being doused with a lot of love. I, personally, don’t think it’s over the top, but it’s still very much present.
Of course, a lot transpires, the plot arcs nicely (considering this is the first book in a series), and then we are left on the edge of a cliff! CLIFFHANGERS WILL BE THE DEATH OF ME!
Everything altogether led me to really anticipate the release of Ever the Brave in 2017!
I received Ever the Hunted in a book subscription box, which typically means the book goes on the ginormous TBR pile until I have time to get to it — eventually — unless it is one of my highly anticipated reads. This one was no different.
I was not part of the book community at this time last year when Ever the Hunted released, but I followed a good number of bookstagrammers and knew that this book had some pretty good reviews. When I hit a random Springtime reading slump, I decided this book was going to get a major boost to the top of my reading list, and that decision was largely because its cover is so stunning (sorry, not sorry).
I have no regrets!
Like I touched on before, can we just take a minute to appreciate the gorgeous cover?! It’s simple, but so pretty! Seriously, well done, HMH Teen!
Now, onto the writing! Ever the Hunted is the debut novel from Erin Summerill, who has a degree in English. She is, however, a photographer by trade and worked on her book in her spare time. Not kidding, guys, her Insta is amazing because, well, she’s a professional photographer!
I enjoy Erin’s writing. I found Ever the Hunted very easy to read with a nice flow. Writing is agreeable to me when I can just read. I don’t like having to backtrack to make sure I comprehended what I read, and I did not have to do that here.
Also, it didn’t hurt that I LOVED THE STORYLINE! Granted, I am not a fan of how noninclusive the synopsis is. I would have read and enjoyed Ever the Hunted either way, but I legitimately find the synopsis to be important in whether or not a reader chooses to read a book and in influencing a reader’s thoughts as they read the story. The synopsis here just doesn’t cover enough.
Anyway, back to the plot! Without getting into specifics, I think this book has a lot to offer. The story has a great fantasy setting, epic adventure, fierce characters, betrayal and conflict, and SO MUCH MORE!
Our main characters, Britta and Cohen, won me over. Both are strong, believable, and flawed! They are both terribly stubborn, and I love the dynamic that adds. Both have experienced a lot in their short lives, and they wear those experiences like badges of honor. There is some wishy washy, back and forth thinking that had me wanting to shake Britta, but I still like her!
Just a warning: there is a solid amount of romance in Ever the Hunted. That is part of what I enjoyed, but I know a lot of YA Fantasy readers aren’t huge fans of books being doused with a lot of love. I, personally, don’t think it’s over the top, but it’s still very much present.
Of course, a lot transpires, the plot arcs nicely (considering this is the first book in a series), and then we are left on the edge of a cliff! CLIFFHANGERS WILL BE THE DEATH OF ME!
Everything altogether led me to really anticipate the release of Ever the Brave in 2017!
Ever the Brave by Erin Summerill
5.0
*** full review on wildandwonderfulreads.com ***
actual rating: 4.5 stars
Ever the Brave was in my top 3 most anticipated book releases of 2017 after I got sucked into the fantasy world Erin Summerill created in Ever the Hunted. I needed to find out what was going to happen next after the way book 1 ended, and I needed more Britta and Cohen.
So, we pick back up where we left off at the end of Ever the Hunted, but this time we get to see the story from multiple POVs, which I love love LOVED! Ever the Hunted was solely Britta’s POV, but we now get the added depth of a POV from Cohen and Aodren. I prefer having the multiple POVs, so I was extremely excited when I saw this formatting in book 2.
As much as I enjoyed Erin’s writing in book 1, I feel like I could really see an improvement in Ever the Brave. Everything flowed even more easily. This was such a simple read that I absolutely did not want to put down!
The plot was action packed and full of unexpected happenings. I found myself saying “OH MY GOSH” more than once! The wonderful arc continued, and I was left with a completely pleasant feeling at the end.
For those that have issues with certain tropes — beware of a love triangle! I don’t mind love triangles, and I didn’t think this was a typical one, so it might even be tolerable to those who aren’t fans of that literary trope.
Along those lines, though, I really enjoyed getting to see more of Aodren in Ever the Brave. Cohen is still my fave, but I dig Aodren, too. There is a moment towards the end with these two and Britta, and *swoons* Guys, you just need to read this book!
I truly feel like Ever the Brave had everything Ever the Hunted had plus more! I am so glad it lived up to my high expectations!
Overall, I would highly recommend the Clash of Kingdoms series! If you love young adult fantasy with a dose of romance, go get Ever the Hunted and Ever the Brave!
actual rating: 4.5 stars
Ever the Brave was in my top 3 most anticipated book releases of 2017 after I got sucked into the fantasy world Erin Summerill created in Ever the Hunted. I needed to find out what was going to happen next after the way book 1 ended, and I needed more Britta and Cohen.
So, we pick back up where we left off at the end of Ever the Hunted, but this time we get to see the story from multiple POVs, which I love love LOVED! Ever the Hunted was solely Britta’s POV, but we now get the added depth of a POV from Cohen and Aodren. I prefer having the multiple POVs, so I was extremely excited when I saw this formatting in book 2.
As much as I enjoyed Erin’s writing in book 1, I feel like I could really see an improvement in Ever the Brave. Everything flowed even more easily. This was such a simple read that I absolutely did not want to put down!
The plot was action packed and full of unexpected happenings. I found myself saying “OH MY GOSH” more than once! The wonderful arc continued, and I was left with a completely pleasant feeling at the end.
For those that have issues with certain tropes — beware of a love triangle! I don’t mind love triangles, and I didn’t think this was a typical one, so it might even be tolerable to those who aren’t fans of that literary trope.
Along those lines, though, I really enjoyed getting to see more of Aodren in Ever the Brave. Cohen is still my fave, but I dig Aodren, too. There is a moment towards the end with these two and Britta, and *swoons* Guys, you just need to read this book!
I truly feel like Ever the Brave had everything Ever the Hunted had plus more! I am so glad it lived up to my high expectations!
Overall, I would highly recommend the Clash of Kingdoms series! If you love young adult fantasy with a dose of romance, go get Ever the Hunted and Ever the Brave!
Constant by Rachel Higginson
4.0
*** full review on wildandwonderfulreads.com ***
Let me start of by saying that if you haven’t yet read a Rachel Higginson book, you’re missing out! She has a book for most types of readers, and I recommend that you pick one up, whether it’s this book or another.
Rachel is the best-selling author of The Opposite of You, The Five Stages of Falling in Love, Every Wrong Reason, Bet on Us and The Star-Crossed Series. I love Rachel’s writing, and I was extremely excited when asked to review an ARC of Constant.
I love when a synopsis really grabs my attention, and, I mean, did you read the summary of Constant!?! You could just tell that the plot was going to be full of suspense, and it absolutely did not disappoint for me.
Constant shares the story of Caroline. Caroline’s life was not perfect, and she was forced to live a certain way when she was younger thanks to her father’s choices. Fast forward, and Caroline lives a much different, more simple life with her daughter and best friend. As the story progresses, more pieces of the puzzle connect to form a clearer picture and gives the reader a better understanding of what happened over the years in Caroline’s life to make her lifestyle go from one extreme to another with her living in fear.
I loved the way the story was set up — jumping between past and present until everything fell into place and aligned.
The plot itself was intense and full of anticipation. I needed to keep reading to find out the next bit of the story. Constant deals with the criminal underground in Washington D.C., and, although I have precisely zero knowledge on the subject, I felt like it was portrayed pretty well.
I will now also vaguely mention that it gets a little steamy, and based on the ending, I assume we might get more of that in book 2 — no arguments from me on that if it does!
For the most part, I liked Caroline’s character. She is strong and knows what she needs to do. She knows what she has to do to keep the most important aspects of her life safe. Her counterpart, Sayer, grew on me as the book progressed (but I think that is the point). I can’t wait to get more of them both in Consequence.
Now, it is a good thing book 2 releases soon because THAT ENDING!!! I am still trying to recover from the massive cliffhanger!
Overall, I would definitely recommend Constant! Rachel is an Indie author, and she deserves lots of love and support. Fans of second chance romance with a major spin will enjoy this book. Be on the lookout for some more info about the sequel, Consequence (which drops in February 2018), coming soon!
Let me start of by saying that if you haven’t yet read a Rachel Higginson book, you’re missing out! She has a book for most types of readers, and I recommend that you pick one up, whether it’s this book or another.
Rachel is the best-selling author of The Opposite of You, The Five Stages of Falling in Love, Every Wrong Reason, Bet on Us and The Star-Crossed Series. I love Rachel’s writing, and I was extremely excited when asked to review an ARC of Constant.
I love when a synopsis really grabs my attention, and, I mean, did you read the summary of Constant!?! You could just tell that the plot was going to be full of suspense, and it absolutely did not disappoint for me.
Constant shares the story of Caroline. Caroline’s life was not perfect, and she was forced to live a certain way when she was younger thanks to her father’s choices. Fast forward, and Caroline lives a much different, more simple life with her daughter and best friend. As the story progresses, more pieces of the puzzle connect to form a clearer picture and gives the reader a better understanding of what happened over the years in Caroline’s life to make her lifestyle go from one extreme to another with her living in fear.
I loved the way the story was set up — jumping between past and present until everything fell into place and aligned.
The plot itself was intense and full of anticipation. I needed to keep reading to find out the next bit of the story. Constant deals with the criminal underground in Washington D.C., and, although I have precisely zero knowledge on the subject, I felt like it was portrayed pretty well.
I will now also vaguely mention that it gets a little steamy, and based on the ending, I assume we might get more of that in book 2 — no arguments from me on that if it does!
For the most part, I liked Caroline’s character. She is strong and knows what she needs to do. She knows what she has to do to keep the most important aspects of her life safe. Her counterpart, Sayer, grew on me as the book progressed (but I think that is the point). I can’t wait to get more of them both in Consequence.
Now, it is a good thing book 2 releases soon because THAT ENDING!!! I am still trying to recover from the massive cliffhanger!
Overall, I would definitely recommend Constant! Rachel is an Indie author, and she deserves lots of love and support. Fans of second chance romance with a major spin will enjoy this book. Be on the lookout for some more info about the sequel, Consequence (which drops in February 2018), coming soon!
The Alchemists of Loom by Elise Kova
4.0
***Full review on wildandwonderfulreads.com
The Alchemists of Loom is a solid combination of genres; melding high-fantasy with steampunk and throwing in a dash of romance to keep things interesting! It’s truly an adventure in a fascinating world.
Elise Kova, bestselling author of the Air Awakens series, paints a stunning picture of the unique world she created in a very articulate manner. The multi-POV helped pace the story perfectly.
I loved the other elements that accompany the story, too, including the map of Loom, the pronunciation guide, and the symbols of the guilds. *Note to authors: These are super helpful for readers trying to find their way through the world(s) you imagined! Loom and its inhabitants do have a LOT to them, though, so might I recommend that you really pay attention!?! At times, I let my attention drift and had to backtrack to make sure I was following.
Now, RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU LIKE A UNIQUE PLOT *thrusts hand into air* You’re in the right place!
The Alchemists of Loom sets up a series so well! A decent amount of this book consists of a journey. But, it’s a journey that’s action packed with twists that kept me from putting the book down. This story has such an amazing arc, which is what a good book should do! And, of course, by the time I reached the end, I was itching for more.
Along with the killer world-building came the engrossing characters. I loved the three main characters — Ari, Cvareh, and Florence — equally. They seemed to really help each other grow! Plus (without saying too much), the banter between Ari and Cvareh kept me entertained, for sure. I loved how their relationship evolved.
Overall, I recommend The Alchemists of Loom! I feel like a wide variety of readers would enjoy this book because it crosses over reading levels and genres. I am absolutely going to pick up the next book soon!
The Alchemists of Loom is a solid combination of genres; melding high-fantasy with steampunk and throwing in a dash of romance to keep things interesting! It’s truly an adventure in a fascinating world.
Elise Kova, bestselling author of the Air Awakens series, paints a stunning picture of the unique world she created in a very articulate manner. The multi-POV helped pace the story perfectly.
I loved the other elements that accompany the story, too, including the map of Loom, the pronunciation guide, and the symbols of the guilds. *Note to authors: These are super helpful for readers trying to find their way through the world(s) you imagined! Loom and its inhabitants do have a LOT to them, though, so might I recommend that you really pay attention!?! At times, I let my attention drift and had to backtrack to make sure I was following.
Now, RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU LIKE A UNIQUE PLOT *thrusts hand into air* You’re in the right place!
The Alchemists of Loom sets up a series so well! A decent amount of this book consists of a journey. But, it’s a journey that’s action packed with twists that kept me from putting the book down. This story has such an amazing arc, which is what a good book should do! And, of course, by the time I reached the end, I was itching for more.
Along with the killer world-building came the engrossing characters. I loved the three main characters — Ari, Cvareh, and Florence — equally. They seemed to really help each other grow! Plus (without saying too much), the banter between Ari and Cvareh kept me entertained, for sure. I loved how their relationship evolved.
Overall, I recommend The Alchemists of Loom! I feel like a wide variety of readers would enjoy this book because it crosses over reading levels and genres. I am absolutely going to pick up the next book soon!