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millennialbookreview's reviews
541 reviews
The Summoned Ones: Book 1 Flight to Bericea by Darryl A. Woods
4.0
I was provided with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review
Overall, I enjoyed The Summoned Ones. It was a refreshing, well-written novel with an interesting and engaging story. The world created in the story reminded me of some of my favorite works. While by no means perfect, the novel is overall pretty great. I'm eagerly awaiting the release of the next book in the series to find out what happens next.
My full, in-depth review can be found here
Overall, I enjoyed The Summoned Ones. It was a refreshing, well-written novel with an interesting and engaging story. The world created in the story reminded me of some of my favorite works. While by no means perfect, the novel is overall pretty great. I'm eagerly awaiting the release of the next book in the series to find out what happens next.
My full, in-depth review can be found here
The Vine Witch by Luanne G. Smith
3.0
The Vine Witch is a book that I would call average. I don't think it's a groundbreaking, amazing novel, but it isn't terrible either. It lags in places, and is a little boring, but the story overall is sound and well-crafted. It fits into a category that I call "beach reads", which are books that are quick, easy reads that keeps the reader engaged without being overly deep or memorable. The book is enjoyable, but it wasn't a favorite of mine.
My full, in-depth review can be found here
My full, in-depth review can be found here
Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
4.0
I loved the new take on classic Norse myths. Gaiman does an excellent job of retelling these stories in his own writing style.
Until All Curses Are Lifted by Tim Frankovich
4.0
Until All Curses Are Lifted is a solid epic YA fantasy. The characters are well-written, the world is fascinating and the story is refreshing. I look forward to seeing more of it in the sequel when it’s released. I would recommend it to any epic fantasy fan, both teenagers and adults. It would be especially enjoyable for readers that like hybrid magic systems.
My full review can be found here
My full review can be found here
Odriel's Heirs by Hayley Reese Chow
5.0
The author provided me with an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this book more than I expected to. It told an amazing story and it doesn't read like an author's first novel. While not perfect, it's a solid, enjoyable story. I recommend it to any fantasy reader that finds the premise intriguing. I'm eagerly awaiting the sequel's release, which doesn't have a release date, but the author has announced that there will be one.
My full review can be found here
I loved this book more than I expected to. It told an amazing story and it doesn't read like an author's first novel. While not perfect, it's a solid, enjoyable story. I recommend it to any fantasy reader that finds the premise intriguing. I'm eagerly awaiting the sequel's release, which doesn't have a release date, but the author has announced that there will be one.
My full review can be found here
A Dream Within a Dream by Kristina Mahr
2.0
A Dream Within A Dream is a slightly below average book. I wasn’t a big fan of the writing style, finding it a little distracting at points. Some parts of the plot weren’t given enough attention or depth while others dragged on a bit too much. Overall, my disappointment stems from the fact that it’s miscategorized in my opinion. It’s categorized as fantasy and the blurb makes it seem like a fantasy novel with some romance thrown in, but it’s actually a romance with some bits of fantasy thrown in. It’s a quick read and a pretty easy story to follow though.
The Girl the Sea Gave Back by Adrienne Young
4.0
The Girl the Sea Gave Back is a book that I found by random chance. I picked it up on a whim due to both the title, which intrigued me, and the cover art which is beautiful. I was happy to discover that the story within its pages more than met my expectations. It’s not a perfect book, but better than I expected it to be. The fantasy aspect doesn’t make the story too difficult to follow, making it an ideal choice for someone looking to start reading fantasy. It’s also a novel that is easy to read quickly, once the first few chapters are over and the story truly starts. I would recommend and I plan on reading the author’s first book that takes place in this world.
Feathers and Fae by Crystal L. Kirkham
2.0
I was provided with an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Feathers and Fae isn’t a bad book, just one that I found disappointing. It could be the first book in a series, but it could also be a stand-alone. If it is the first in a series, that would explain why the plot seems to revolve around building the world rather than the main conflict. I feel like the story is actually two stories that are weakly linked together. There’s the story of Emmett and Kami trying to get back to their own realm. And there’s the story of Kami, Emmett and their companions trying to defeat the Erlkrönig. If the author had chosen the first, it could’ve been good. If she’s chosen the second, it would’ve had potential. Instead, she chose both and I don't think it works as well as it could've.
My full review can be found here
Feathers and Fae isn’t a bad book, just one that I found disappointing. It could be the first book in a series, but it could also be a stand-alone. If it is the first in a series, that would explain why the plot seems to revolve around building the world rather than the main conflict. I feel like the story is actually two stories that are weakly linked together. There’s the story of Emmett and Kami trying to get back to their own realm. And there’s the story of Kami, Emmett and their companions trying to defeat the Erlkrönig. If the author had chosen the first, it could’ve been good. If she’s chosen the second, it would’ve had potential. Instead, she chose both and I don't think it works as well as it could've.
My full review can be found here
Ice Crown by Kay L. Moody
2.0
I was given an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book was way too short. That made it feel very rushed.
It tells the story of Talise, a girl who can bend the elements to her will. Being a citizen of the Storm, the crime-laden area of her civilization, the only way she can escape her life there is by becoming a Master Shaper. From a young age, she's placed at a school to learn how to bend the elements and prepare for the competition that could earn her the role of Master Shaper.
The premise itself reminded me a lot of Avatar the Last Airbender, but if all of the nation trained together and not apart. There's also the distinction of people not being mostly confined to shaping just one element.
So, at a young age, Talise earns a spot at a school for shapers. When she graduates, if she doesn't become a Master Shaper, she has to return to the Storm, which no one thinks she'll survive, including her.
As I said earlier, the story is short and feels rushed. Ten years of time is pretty much glossed over in like three sentences and we're never told much about Talise's backstory. She's from the Storm because some earlier ancestor of hers broke the law and saw exiled there. This society has an unjust law that basically says if you mess up, you and everyone descended from you, will be punished for it. So, we have no idea why Talise needs to win the competition in the first place.
There isn't much info given about the world as a whole other than the Storm is bad, the Crown is good, people can shape elements and the law I mentioned earlier. I think some effort should've been put a little more into how the world works.
My biggest issue though, is the climax. Instead of the competition itself being the climax of the story, the actual climax is the prep for this big competiton? And the story ends on the way heading to the competition with Talise getting another, more well-connected student, who is her biggest threat, disqualified for breaking a very minor rule This didn't feel like a good conclusion or well-executed one at all. It feels unfinished.
This book was way too short. That made it feel very rushed.
It tells the story of Talise, a girl who can bend the elements to her will. Being a citizen of the Storm, the crime-laden area of her civilization, the only way she can escape her life there is by becoming a Master Shaper. From a young age, she's placed at a school to learn how to bend the elements and prepare for the competition that could earn her the role of Master Shaper.
The premise itself reminded me a lot of Avatar the Last Airbender, but if all of the nation trained together and not apart. There's also the distinction of people not being mostly confined to shaping just one element.
So, at a young age, Talise earns a spot at a school for shapers. When she graduates, if she doesn't become a Master Shaper, she has to return to the Storm, which no one thinks she'll survive, including her.
As I said earlier, the story is short and feels rushed. Ten years of time is pretty much glossed over in like three sentences and we're never told much about Talise's backstory. She's from the Storm because some earlier ancestor of hers broke the law and saw exiled there. This society has an unjust law that basically says if you mess up, you and everyone descended from you, will be punished for it. So, we have no idea why Talise needs to win the competition in the first place.
There isn't much info given about the world as a whole other than the Storm is bad, the Crown is good, people can shape elements and the law I mentioned earlier. I think some effort should've been put a little more into how the world works.
My biggest issue though, is the climax. Instead of the competition itself being the climax of the story, the actual climax is the prep for this big competiton? And the story ends on the way heading to the competition with Talise getting another, more well-connected student, who is her biggest threat, disqualified for breaking a very minor rule This didn't feel like a good conclusion or well-executed one at all. It feels unfinished.
Anomaly by Jessica Gilliland, Jessica Marie Gilliland
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I found the main character compelling and the plot exciting. The story kept me on edge for its duration. The author did a great job of building tension as Liv gets closer to the truth and the fact that this is going to be a series excites me.
My only real complaint would be the length, since its not a very long book, but since its going to be a series, that makes it more understandable.
Disclaimer: I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
My full review can be found here
My only real complaint would be the length, since its not a very long book, but since its going to be a series, that makes it more understandable.
Disclaimer: I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
My full review can be found here