lucyslibraryreviews's reviews
368 reviews

Memoria by J.J. Fischer

adventurous hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Wow! What an amazing series.  I’m not sure I've ever read such a strong Gospel message so deeply woven into a story. You get deep into Fischer’s exquisite prose, before it’s clear that there is a Jesus-figure.

In this book, we learn more about the reliquary and why it can't fix all their problems, as they expected. There are betrayals from unexpected people. Plot twists. Aedon goes from being a mystical figure in dreams and  becomes a strong character in the story, and in some of their lives. We get to see the battle won, the enemies defeated, relationships restored and all the loose ends tied up. I’m looking forward to Caligo, the standalone companion book that Fischer is calling “Cass’ book.” Cass is fabulous!



"The people of Caldera had thought they’d left their god’s behind in the world-that-was.  But the Three had never left, not even when they were rejected & forgotten.
And now, at the very hour of Caldera’s greatest need-our need-Aedon had come back to us. Offering a way through. Offering himself." 

Lumen by J.J. Fischer

adventurous dark inspiring mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Lumen is the 2nd book in this unique fantasy dystopian series & moves the story on well. This book dives deeper into the human condition & we see the author's faith shine brightly onto the page. It is so finely woven into the book & leaves your mind making the connections, instead of doing it for you. There are some really beautiful quotes in this book, and we are more aware of the author’s own faith.There are three main characters & I understand them more & love them more because of this book. The story ends on an impossible note, & I look forward to seeing how they overcome some pretty big obstacles, like mysterious disease & war, in book 3.
Sephone is the female protagonist and reminds me of the young Israeli slave girl that helped her master, Naman, receive healing for his leprosy. Sephone also grew up a slave, and deals with others with deep compassion. She is full of hope and tries to help those around her see the value of love and goodness.

Calor by J.J. Fischer

adventurous hopeful inspiring mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

What more do I need to say beyond that this book won The Christy Award & Book of the Year from Realmakers. The story is set a half a century after the apocalypse. This leaves us set in a time where the world-that-was has not been forgotten. After the apocalypse, a mist came that mostly blocked out the sky and left some people altered. Sephone is an alter with an ability to manipulate memories. Her story drew me in with her tragedy and her compassion. In fact, I am fond of the three main characters, & the lady wolf, & am eager to see them defeat the evil lord that is hunting them down. 
JJ Fischer is a truly gifted and skilled writer. She knows how to craft an amazing story, but also haow to tell it beautifully. 

DragonFire and Other Nonsense by Bethany Meyer

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

4.75

Just like the first 2 books i the series, I was enthralled all the way through Dragon Fire and Other Nonsense. I plan to buy physical copies of the book as I want it in my collection. I did buy a friend the collection on kindle, and she has enjoyed it, as well. There is so much growth in the characters and you can’t help but root for them the whole way through. We really get to see how much Archer was a diamond in the roug,h as he travels to the land of dragonkin. He has moved far past his selfish motives and is a true hero with a better understanding of himself. Wick is more of a marathon runner, plotting through, always consistent and committed, though even his hope is shaken as they wait for the dragonkin to return with little hope of being able to defeat the scorch. 
This book sacrifices some humor for intensity as it’s mainly a great big grand finale.  
Note for younger audiences: the night before battle they drink wine to relax, but not bad behavior when they do.
This is a fun and unique series that I enjoyed immensely.
Note: The 

Above the Circle of the Earth by E. Stephen Burnett

adventurous emotional inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced

5.0

Above the Circle of the Earth, ACE, is an impressive debut novel that I relate to on many levels. It captures my hunger for the unknown as we follow a family, living on Mars, begin a mission to take the Gospel deeper into space. ACE appeals to my own desire to seek & save the lost. The battle begins at home as Brock & Alicia have to overcome naysayers, the religious spirit, denominational differences to get the mission off the ground. What they are doing has never been done & that captures the attention of many, even of a terrorist movement. The result, there’s not a sleepy moment in this book. Early in the story, we see the genuine passion of many of the characters to fulfill the Great Commission & we want them to succeed. The entire book leaves you wondering if that will happen.
Burnett does a great job with creating relatable characters as well as developing them through the story. 
He also has done a fascinating job of creating a futuristic world that is ruled by a humanistic corporation with reserves for various groups of religious people. The scifi lovers will appreciate some unique futuristic tech, as well.
I am ready to preorder ACE, the sequel, but not sure how to preorder a novel that hasn’t been written. Can I preorder it straight outta his head? 

Echo Nova by Clint Hall, Clint Hall

hopeful inspiring mysterious tense fast-paced

5.0

This book is down right jaw dropping! I’m astounded with how well Hall has pieced together an amazing timetravel thrill ride that includes a beautifully innocent romance and the restoration of family. Dash begins his adventure as a timestar out of a desire to make a name for himself, and a better life. Hhe’s not very smart in how he does this; he chases the proverbial carrot on a string. The corporation promises to make him a hero for the sake of fame and fortune, but by the end, he is a genuine hero willing to give his life to make the world a safer place. 

Hall does a great job with character development and writing a tale where the reader's mind will deduce powerful truths about the sanctity of human life and the dangers that grow when people & corporations lust for power & money. 


"People [my father’s] age call my generation the timeless, because we have never knwon a reality in which people couldn’t experience other time periods at will” Dash 

"Time, once lost, cannot be regained." Dr. Suvea

The Awesome Super Fantastic Forever Party Board Book: Heaven with Jesus is Amazing! by Joni Eareckson Tada

hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

0.5

This is a beautiful book that teaches kids what the Bible says about Heaven.

Murder at Mistlethwaite Manor by A.J. Skelly, A.J. Skelly

dark emotional mysterious tense

4.75

This is a well crafted story & the author does an above average job of telling it in a Regency voice. There is a sweet romance woven through, with lovable characters. Some of the random characters being killed off are much less lovable. 

Andromache by L.E. Richmond

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Andromache Kanoska is nothing like me, but I still found myself in her story. L.E. Richmond clearly wrote from her heart with this heroine that treasures life. This tale covers the heavy topic of sanctity of life as our heroine, Andromache, is infertile in a world that has almost died out and was left with a necessity to repopulate the earth. This is a dystopian version of Esther. Andromache competes for the heart of the prince beside other women brought in from the West to become wives to help grow the population. I would love to see this as a duology, but the author gave me what I needed in the epilogue so I’m satisfied with the ending. 
“Is this how it has to be? Humanity burned & crushed into the ground before a remnant realizes 
the value every human life holds?” Andromache Kanoska

The Celebration Place by Dorena Williamson, Erin Susanne Banks

inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

A great look at the church that is a place for various races, nationalities, ages, etc. Amazing artwork & a brief shout out to MLK who helped bring unity into the church.