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Revolution Now - The Beginning
Hudson, J.S.
B07NGJ5SDF
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Bold and daring Christian fiction! Revolution Now is a book that speaks to this generation very loudly. The beginning of the book is kind of disturbin Bold and daring Christian fiction! Revolution Now is a book that speaks to this generation very loudly. The beginning of the book is kind of disturbing on a certain level; we deal with two very troubled teens, one who is a Satanist and the other who struggles with his anger in ways that's nearly a shame for someone so young. Together, these two troublemakers come up with a list of people they want to harm and even go as far as planning to check names off this list—ending with a dramatic confrontation with the police. Thankfully, God has other plans for these teens and changes their lives in ways they cannot imagine. Before we know it, we are reading about spiritual warfare on an entirely new level.
What I liked most about this book was the significance of the encounter with God that the protagonist shared. In the beginning, the hero of this story is actually the villain—but their interaction with God the Father is so impactful it not only changes the course of this young man's life, it actually changes the book entirely! I can't say too much about the story without spoiling anything—which serves as a testament to how well put together the entire book is. Nothing happens for no reason here, from beginning to middle to end each event ties in to the next and carries the story forward.
The character development is spectacular here; as I said before, our protagonist starts off as a very unlikeable character you might even find yourself rooting against. By the end of the book, however, things have changed so drastically, you will find yourself unable to part with such wonderful characters.
The message here is very important but I enjoyed the story of salvation most. This was Christian fiction portrayed in a way that covers many bases; there is action, a message of salvation, conversion, character development, supernatural elements, suspense, and more. If you enjoy thrilling YA novels, I would highly recommend this to you, but it will be most appreciated by Christian readers and those with an interest in YA fantasy/supernatural writing.
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review* ...more
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The Cracked Altar
Rains, Timothy J.R. *
B07KQNNZ4H
I took a deep interest in this book from the title and the cover; the idea of a cracked altar certainly leans towards a religious theme—myself being d I took a deep interest in this book from the title and the cover; the idea of a cracked altar certainly leans towards a religious theme—myself being devoutly Christian, I'm always hungry for more faith-based writing. In fact, this book was presented to me as 'thinly veiled Christian fantasy' after doing a bit of reading, I'm sad to say it is not very Christian at all. There are slight hints at Christianity, but certainly not enough to call this Christian fantasy. Maybe there are others who feel this book was screaming the name of Jesus from cover to cover, but I respectfully disagree and found myself feeling a bit misled and, therefore, a bit disappointed.
Despite the bad start I had going into this novel; I will admit that it was not bad at all! The writing was done very well, and the world building was honestly amazing! I love fantasy; discovering new worlds, battling mythical creatures, going on worldwide adventures—its probably the peak of human creativity. But this book took me back to old school fantasy; magic, knights, and good versus evil. I'll be honest and say it was a little dark for my taste—not a huge fan of witchcraft or sorcery at all, but it was enjoyable for those who've got a little more grit than I do.
Aside from my initial complaint, I have to say I didn't really enjoy one of the main characters. I found Sir Gilkrist very unlikeable and rude. His attitude was truly difficult to overlook, and I could not get myself to enjoy him as a protagonist. BUT this is a complaint based purely on personal taste, this is not a crack at the writing or even at the story itself. I wish I could have enjoyed Sir Gilkrist more, I wish I could have related to the main characters more in general. But I did not dislike the story or the cast as a whole.
I hit a few bumps going into this book but overall, I'd say it is certainly a book I would recommend to others. Now that I'm familiar with the plot, the characters, and the use of darker sorts of magic and witches, I'll admit this is not something I would personally pick up but I'd be surprised if it didn't make it onto the favorites list of many readers in the future.
The Cracked Altar is a well-paced read for fantasy audiences, but it can easily be enjoyed by those with an interest in magic and adventure. If you've got a thing for terrible villains and suspenseful endings, I would highly suggest cracking this open—I promise its well worth a read.
Detwiler, Gina *
B07G1K8NDK
What an interesting book! This is a wonderful work of Christian fiction that hits on a few different subjects—you have romance at the root of this ser What an interesting book! This is a wonderful work of Christian fiction that hits on a few different subjects—you have romance at the root of this series but there's also redemption, good versus evil, and the power of music. One of the most interesting aspects of this book is the music, but I won't get into that just yet.
This is the first book I have ever read by Detwiler, so I was pleasantly surprised by the story and the writing. Forsaken is the second book in the series, I did not read the first installment, but I can't say that hindered my understanding of the story or my connection to the characters. I enjoyed the romance between Jared and Grace, and I liked that they were tied to each other in multiple ways despite their distance. They weren't just two kids in love, Jared and Grace were connected through music, their faith, and the battle they faced in trying to be together. Jared was a loveable character and certainly made me cheer for him—I have a weakness for fallen angels, and while Jared wasn't exactly an angel kicked out of heaven, his backstory was similar in many ways and had a dark element of the battle in good versus evil.
Now I'd like to go back to my comment on the music in the series. Music plays a part in the book—Grace and her singing, Jared and his guitar—but there's a message here for Christians and the music we listen to as well. Detwiler makes a clear connection between music and demonic oppression; some songs conjure evil spirits while others are harmless to listen to. The singer and the motives of the songwriter are also aspects that contribute to whether a song may negatively impact someone's spiritual standing. While this isn't exactly the case for every genre of music, it is certainly an interesting concept that every Christian should take seriously.
As a Believer, I don't think Detwiler is too far off with this concept. Music is incredibly important, whether it is praise and worship or the latest Beyoncé hit, it has an effect on the listener. There are scriptures I can reference to demonstrate the importance of protecting ourselves from certain influencers such as what we listen to and what we allow ourselves to watch and read, but I'll leave that to your next Sunday sermon. For now, I'll say that Detwiler has opened the door on a previously unexplored concept—to the best of my knowledge at least. This part of the book is enough to keep me interested, but the rest of the story is just as satisfying.
I recommend this book to teens and young adult readers, but it will be best appreciated by young Christians. If you enjoy romance, fantasy, or supernatural novels you will certainly enjoy this series, but I'd say there's enough here to keep any interested reader turning the pages.
The Holy Warrior and the Last Angel (Armageddon Book 3)
Dubrow, David *
B07HWX2W6L
really liked it
It's been a very long time since I returned to this series, so I have to be honest and say I don't remember all the details of the previous two books. It's been a very long time since I returned to this series, so I have to be honest and say I don't remember all the details of the previous two books. Heading into the epic ending of this apocalyptic
trilogy was kind of a head-spinning thrill—and I mean that in a good way.
Book III is sort of a standalone book in many ways. I feel like the struggles faced by the cast in this story were obviously based on previous battles and developments but there was also a sense of freshness and individuality that really made me see the characters and events in a new light. Maybe this is all because the previous two works were lost on me or maybe because the ending is just a bit more unique than the beginning and middle.
Even though this book has many ties to Christian fiction there are many elements to it that make it hard to stick the book into one category. It is an action-packed thriller, it is an apocalyptic adventure, and it is an epic tale of valor from beginning to end. All that is bundled into one story about what happens when all hell breaks loose. There are angels, demons, Nephilim, and other realms; if you don't have a large enough imagination, this book may overwhelm you.
My only complaint about this book is somewhat of a compliment as well. I really like that this installment wraps everything up; it lays everything on the table and confronts every battle, every issue, and every event head-on—but that's also one of the draw-backs. While this is an epic tale, it feels somewhat bloated. Don't get me wrong, this is definitely something that will have you turning page after page, but there are times where it will make you feel like perhaps there should have been a book 4. I don't mean this in a necessarily negative way, I just felt that each concept could have been developed enough into its own story; the Blessed Man, the worry and wonder of when the angels will show up, and Kyle's spiritual battle were all more than enough to become books 3, 4, and 5.
Despite my complaint, I think this was a good book by itself and as the ending to what was a wonderfully written and developed journey. The action was great, the characters were sincere, and the struggle and development of not just the cast but the world surrounding them was excellent. I believe the aspects of Christianity that were used were well-represented in this piece, and—as a Christian myself—that's what matters most to me at the end of the day. So, I will most definitely recommend this book to young adult and adult readers who enjoy action trilogies, apocalyptic novels, and epic fantasy. Christian audiences will appreciate this most, but secular readers will not be able to overlook the talent and creativity of Dubrow either.
The Dark Wood
Mann, Sydney *
B07HGK53ZM
I love reviewing indie work—that's one of the reasons I started The Rebel Christian—but as much as I enjoy supporting indie and self-published authors I love reviewing indie work—that's one of the reasons I started The Rebel Christian—but as much as I enjoy supporting indie and self-published authors, I must admit that I'm very particular about reading books from that community. Unfortunately, indie and self-published authors have a very terrible reputation as far as editing and quality goes. There are so many great stories out there, but they fall flat because of poor editing or elementary writing. So, when I was approached by Mann for a review, I had high hopes and high expectations—thankfully, she did not disappoint me.
The Dark Wood is a YA fantasy novel set in a world that is totally void of light. Its really a haunting concept, to live your life in constant shadows, eternal darkness without the sun but Stella has done this every single day of her life. Imagine a world where you are constantly looking over your shoulder, facing an everlasting night full of gripping terrors. Now imagine all of that suddenly being interrupted by a burst of light in the form of a beautiful man.
Stella's eyes are opened to a new world when she meets Luc, a man who almost seems to be made of light. Through her journeys with Luc, Stella learns there is a light shinning within the darkness of her world, and she sets out to defeat the darkness once and for all. Of course, other characters are introduced along the way, there's also a love triangle that works really well for me. I'm not one to complain about a good romance, especially if it involves juicy triangles or any other shape!
Although I really enjoyed the romance in this story, my biggest praise goes to the world-building of Darkwood Noctum. First of all, the name Noctum sounds really cool and very mysterious; its fitting for the theme and the storyline. I wish there had been a bit more fleshing out as far as the darkness and the development of the story around it, but it is a YA novel, so I'm willing to let things slide.
Overall, The Dark Wood is an incredibly unique and entertaining story. It will certainly pull you in from page one. The title, the cover art, and the story are all amazing with characters developed enough to hold it all together. I would recommend this book to YA fans and fantasy nerds, plus anyone who likes a well-developed romance. ...more
The Cursed Girl
Vermisoglou, Maria *
This is a story about a teenage witch that gets many things right and just a few things wrong. First, I really enjoyed the plot; it was a bit cliché w This is a story about a teenage witch that gets many things right and just a few things wrong. First, I really enjoyed the plot; it was a bit cliché with the gutsy main character falling for the prince and teaming up to take on evil, BUT it was entertaining and kept me reading for over 100k words!
All that said, I found Eva to be a great protagonist and I really admired her fire, drive, and personality. The romance was not so heavy, though I don't think I would have minded if it had been! Fantasy romance is always something that gets me, I'm a sucker for a human/supernatural cross-over love! But Eva and Jonathan are more than starry teens in love, they are partners on equal ground which is something I really appreciated. Eva was not a damsel in distress nor was she overly enthusiastic to jump headfirst into battle. In fact, I found every character to be well balanced and helpful in carrying the story along.
Now, some of the things I didn't like about this book: for a fantasy, the length was understandable but with the target audience being teenagers and the pace being somewhat slow, I think this book could have easily been chopped in half. OR some of the rambling on Eva's end or random descriptions of outfits and food and everything else that does nothing to progress the story could have been cut out. As much as I enjoyed Eva as a character, I feel like reading from a first-person perspective for the entirety of this incredibly long book grew tiresome at times. This is really a matter of personal preference, however, as I tend to lean toward third-person narration when it comes to fantasy.
My last, and strongest, complaint is about the writing itself. While there were no egregious errors in terms of grammar and punctuation, I feel like the writing was not as strong as it could have been. Vermisoglou is definitely a creative artist with an interesting story to tell, but I think spending just a bit more time with other books and maybe reading more fantasy novels would help strengthen her writing to take this wonderful novel to the next level. It WAS enjoyable, but I feel it was weaker than it should have been. This is just a case where the story, the characters, and the world-building is all very excellent but the writing that brings it together is not.
In the end, despite the writing and the length, I did enjoy this book and I would recommend it to readers of all ages. Anyone who loves magic, dark fantasy, and female protagonists will certainly want a copy. ...more
The Faelti
Pudsey, Rachel *
I had the pleasure of reading the first book in the Aronia series. I remember enjoying the book very much and even looking forward to this Book II, so I had the pleasure of reading the first book in the Aronia series. I remember enjoying the book very much and even looking forward to this Book II, so I was delightfully inclined to sit down for a good read and post a review on the second installment. I had to go back and take another look at the first book before moving on since it's been nearly two years since I've heard anything on this story.
That being said, I did enjoy this second book as much—if not more—than I enjoyed the first book. Abigail Crumble returns along with her curse and her desire to break it. She doesn't get much closer to achieving her goal as she is locked in a prison and separated from her friends, but this second book gives us a good look at new characters, further character development, and a deeper dive into what seems like a genuine romance.
In my review of the first book in this series, I complained that it was too wordy and had a lot of unnecessary description. I didn't see that here which was definitely a plus. While I felt the first chapter dragged a little, I was engrossed in Pudsey's beautiful world and in the lives of its inhabitants as I read. I am very glad to have given this series a chance. The plot itself is one I feel I have seen before, but I mean that in a positive way. The first book felt like a fairy tale YA romance gone wrong while the second book gets a little darker, a little deeper, a little stronger. The writing is better, the characters are a bit more mature, and I feel like the overall plot has thickened. Things are getting serious. I can only imagine what Pudsey will bring us in Book III.
I recommend this to readers of all ages. Those who enjoy fantasy, romance, and even dark fiction will want to give this a try. ...more
Coogle, Justin *
As a Christian and an avid reader, I am definitely a lover and strong supporter of Believers who write speculative fiction—especially those who write As a Christian and an avid reader, I am definitely a lover and strong supporter of Believers who write speculative fiction—especially those who write it well. When I was first introduced to Kingdom Come I immediately loved the title. Before you crack open the book it gave you a firm understanding that there is some sort of message of faith behind the cover.
Kingdom Come is an action, battle-based supernatural book. It has demon hunting, warfare, and self-discovery tangled into one novel for readers of all beliefs and interests to enjoy. One of the things I liked very much was the clever way Coogle wove basic Christian beliefs into his writing. The main antagonist is the 'demon lord Baal' which immediately jumped out to me because Baal worship is one of the common pagan beliefs repeatedly mentioned in the Bible, so it was definitely cool to see the light and the darkness from the Word put into play here. One of the things you get tired of seeing in Christian fantasy is the devil. That sounds weird to say but he's always the bad guy—and in Christian fantasy, who else should it be, right? Using Baal was so simple it was almost genius. I loved that little detail right from the start.
The main characters were an entertaining lot. I didn't particularly like or dislike any of them…I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing. Everyone played the role they were assigned in the story and kept the plot moving in the right direction. Jason definitely brought in a lot of layers and development which I really appreciated. This is something that may sound odd to readers, but it was kind of hard not to be reminded of Naruto when I read this story. There are MASSIVE differences between the two stories, but the way Jason behaved was definitely reminiscent of the goofy, awkward, sometimes dumb protagonist of Naruto.
The good versus evil aspect was very strong in this book but the message and use of spirituality gave it that extra spice—it was just enough to keep me reading and more than enough to make Kingdom Come a standout book amongst others in this genre. Don't get me wrong, this was a great story and I highly recommend it to others but as much as I enjoyed it, I have to include the ugly parts in my review.
I mentioned earlier that I didn't really like or dislike any of the characters. I think they felt more like 'roles' in the story rather than people with feelings and emotions. This character is here to challenge Jason. This character is here to encourage him. This character is going to be evil. This character will be good… granted, this story was heavily saturated in layers upon layers of world building, biblical inclusion, and creativity, so there is obviously an expectation that some areas will lack while others prevail. BUT I just wanted a little more connection to the cast.
My last point is probably my biggest complaint—which I'd like to say isn't really a complaint or criticism but more of an observation worth noting. I noticed a lot of ties with the Catholic faith included in the book. As part of creative structure, I see a lot of Christian fantasy authors use things like Priests, the Vatican, even rosary beads in their writing because those are visually striking and easy to understand for readers of all backgrounds. I don't really care that a Christian author uses Catholic references and aspects, but I do care that those Catholic references and aspects get passed off as being part of the Christian faith.
Contrary to what entertainment and social media might have us believe, the Catholic religion and Christianity are not the same belief system. At all. I'm not saying Coogle tried to right off Catholic beliefs as Christian—not at all—BUT there is definitely opportunity for readers to get them confused.
Jason is apparently a Protestant while there are many Catholic characters around him throughout the story. It seemed to me like that sort of mix would have ignited a lot of derision if not simple disagreements amongst cast members but Coogle keeps things organized. Maybe a theological breakdown and debate was not the point of him including the two belief systems but then … why mix them at all if not to highlight and examine their differences? It just seems like two faiths are thrown together for the sake of having two faiths in one book. No real reason behind it. A Catholic setup and structure with Christian themes.
All in all, when I read Christian fiction, I like for it to be Christian fiction. I also enjoy some Catholic fiction reads every now and again, but I'd like to know ahead of time when I'm walking into a religious mash up, that's all.
Other than that tidbit, I really did like this book and I hope to see more from Coogle in the future. Catholic, Christian, whatever…Kingdom Come is a wonderful and welcome addition to the fantasy genre. ...more
The Tarot Cards: Sword of Souls (Book #2)
Maharaj, Christina *
B06ZYCF8L1
*I received a free copy of his book in exchange for a completely honest review*
Maharaj gives readers another fascinating story in the second part to h *I received a free copy of his book in exchange for a completely honest review*
Maharaj gives readers another fascinating story in the second part to her Tarot Cards series. I'll be honest and say it's been quite a while since I read the first book so I definitely needed a refresher.
The second book pretty much picks right up from where the first ended so if you haven't read the prequel, you may want to grab a copy of it as Sword of Souls is not a standalone book in the series.
This book takes on more of an emotional tale as we see Alex struggle with his circumstances and worry over Clara's wellbeing. Even though our female protagonist is the Tarot Master, that doesn't mean she is without her fair share of troubles. In this book, the danger has returned and it nearly catches our duo by surprise. There is action, magic, and evil forces at bay—all of which are brought to the forefront of this novel as readers take a look into the lives of our young heroes.
In my review of the first book in this series, I made a comment about the style of narration. In the first book, everything read like a to-do list which made the dialogue and the action seem a bit choppy. I didn't really like the flow and I complained about this issue in the first installment. While I'm still not a huge fan of the style of writing in this second book, I will say that it is definitely a huge improvement from the first. I feel that the sentences are a bit too short and that makes the flow feel awkward and choppy—but there is certainly more characterization and development to make up for that.
Overall, I will say this is a fine read for anyone who enjoys dark fantasy and magic. If you like close friendship and character bonds then this series will certainly interest you. With a strong female lead, a classic good vs evil feel, and an entertaining cast—this is the classic makings of a popular YA fiction. I would recommend this series to all ages. ...more
Sons of God (Hosts and Hellions, #2)
Michele, Mia *
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a completely honest review*
This is the second book in a dark fantasy/supernatural series. I had t *I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a completely honest review*
This is the second book in a dark fantasy/supernatural series. I had the luxury of reading the first book in this series free of charge and enjoyed it very much so I was definitely looking forward to reading the second book and I am happy to say I enjoyed this book just as much as the last.
Michele picks things right up in this book and opens with a strong and thrilling scene that immediately draws you in. I really enjoyed the style in this story and I think it was best described by Michele herself on the first page. She says that Ela's breath comes out in "staccato bursts" which best matches the pacing and writing in the book. The descriptive aspects are short and to the point, giving us just enough to imagine what's going on. The interactions between the characters are quick but detailed, and the action happens swiftly and is written with powerful punches.
The biggest difference between this book and the last was the characterization. In the first book, everything was introduced to us. Michele focused on telling us the story, building her world and background, describing characters, feeding us interactions, and making sure we followed their personalities. But with all that out of the way, she was able to show us the people she saw and give us the story she lived in every time she opened Microsoft Word. I feel like this book is the meat of the story and has the heaviest load in terms of development. I definitely felt the same emotions as the characters: their pain, their joy, their confusion, and especially their hurt. As entertaining as this book was, I will say the emotional aspect really tugs at your heart.
I always enjoy second books better than the first book in the series so I'm looking forward to the third book and definitely expect more from this author. Of course, I recommend this book to fantasy readers and anyone interested in angels and demons but if you like strong female leads then you might want to pick this up. ...more
Children of Hellions (Hosts and Hellions, #1)
This is a story that combines heaven, hell, and everything in between. There is action, supernatural conflict, and the slightest bit of romance. The c This is a story that combines heaven, hell, and everything in between. There is action, supernatural conflict, and the slightest bit of romance. The characters are enjoyable and the plot is fairly interesting! I had a great time reading this book and I will say I'm looking forward to moving on to the next one.
Ela is the owner of a bookstore who has been raising her brother since their mother and father abandoned them years ago. By all accounts, she is a strong character but not in physical strength. What I liked most about Ela was her frame of mind which was very strong from her introduction in to the story. I am someone who loves raising awareness for disabilities—autism is something that I've actually written about before—so I was absolutely thrilled to have such a character in a book like this.
Lucian is someone who grew on me. He had a lot of personal conflict that he battled throughout the story and showed strong development as I continued reading. In the beginning, he was definitely aloof and even seemed uninterested in the affairs of the other demons around him. He was immune to the affection given to him and only came alive when his own interests were somehow disrupted.
By the end, we saw someone who had developed a conscience and showed genuine concern for the other characters involved. There is still much room for Lucian to grow—and room for his relationship with Ela as well—but I see him as a strong character who easily carried the novel from page one until the end.
I liked the plot of this story. The author did well in tying the realms together and giving a believable reason for their connection. The story wasn't a "well disguised romance" as many paranormal books tend to be, it was a legitimate story with struggles and obstacles each character had to overcome. The thought of a demonic war going on in Canada was somewhat amusing but it plays out very well when you take the time to get into the story. My only complaint would be the ending which I cannot get into because I don't want to ruin it for anyone. But the book was a good start to what seems like a promising series and I highly recommend it to any fans of dark fantasy and supernatural/paranormal fiction.
Legacy of the Devil Queen (Eve of Redemption #4)
Jackson, Joe *
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review*
I have had the opportunity to read and review the other three books in t *I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review*
I have had the opportunity to read and review the other three books in the Eve of Redemption series and I have greatly enjoyed each of them for varying reasons. I have watched Kari grow from a young and restless demon hunter to the mother-to-be we see in this book. While there are many things that remain constant in Jackson's writing, this book demonstrated his ability to still, somehow, surprise readers with his talents some four books into the series.
The big difference between book four and the other novels is the integration of a second point of view. With a world as big and vast as what we've seen in Jackson's writing, having another POV definitely provided another aspect to the story—one that was more intimately involved with the events that unfolded.
My favorite part of the story was growth in characters, especially Kari. I'm sure I've commented on her in each one of my reviews but I can't help but feel impressed with her. She is going to become a mother at probably the most inopportune time. Now Kari faces a challenge that most of us have trouble overcoming; trusting ourselves and the decisions we make.
It's a struggle for Kari to take care of herself while fighting back worries over her friends and families whom she is unable to protect as she did before. It's a struggle for her to be so removed as she was in comparison to her role in the previous books. This sort of transition was definitely entertaining but it also demonstrated the sort of controlled complexity Jackson has as an author. It isn't easy to suddenly switch POV's in the fourth installment, it isn't easy to have your main character pregnant and detached. But Jackson included such drastic changes to this story and did it very well.
Despite the major changes in Kari's life, there is still plenty of action and edge-of-your-seat thrills to be discovered in the pages of this book. It is by no means a disappointment and has certainly become the best of the bunch in the Eve of Redemption series.
I can't recommend this book to fantasy readers without insisting they pick up the other books in the saga as well. It will make a wonderful addition to anyone's library but has a special place in the hearts of those who enjoy books with a strong female lead and characters who have much to lose. If you enjoy great action, war, and fantastic creatures, then the Eve of Redemption series is a strong recommendation for you. ...more
Serpents Rising (Eve of Redemption #3)
I've been following this author's books since the first in the series so I had a pretty good understanding and expectation of what should happen in th I've been following this author's books since the first in the series so I had a pretty good understanding and expectation of what should happen in this next installment. In terms of writing and intrigue, Jackson definitely nailed it but he surprised me with this new adventure.
Readers will get a more mature side of Kari; a character you can't help but sympathize with. We see her get challenged in every aspect of her life and we watch as she tackles every adventure head on.
I was definitely entertained with this book and I greatly appreciated the new and old info as Jackson picked up right where he left off but didn't leave anyone hanging. I won't say a newcomer can grab a copy and hold tight but anyone who hasn't read one of the Eve of Redemption books in a while will feel refreshed with Jackson's attention to detail.
The character development was real. I thought, in book three of a series, there wouldn't be much room for growth from our protagonist but this book presented a new set of challenges which required a new attitude and a new set of skills. I loved the demon kings and diving into their world and politics. The underworld has always fascinated me so to have such a raw new realm so deeply and intricately detailed on the pages of this novel earned more than a couple stars from me.
When I said that Kari had grown in this book, I didn't just mean that she got better at fighting or that she got older. She's a mother and a woman with responsibilities—her decisions in this book are absolutely vital and the writing does not hide that. Many parts were edge-of-your-seat good, only matched by the intrigue of the new enemies. The thought of leaving a widower and a child behind made the adventures riskier but Kari's responsibilities were beyond her family and even beyond herself. She had bigger choices to makes with bigger consequences to consider. I kept comparing myself to her throughout the reading, wondering if I would be as strong if I could be in her shoes. The answer is no, probably not. But that's what made the book better, in my opinion. It's not often that we see such a headstrong female with so much to gain and lose at the same time. I think this was a book about risk and reward, choice and consequence, described in the most adventurous of ways.
Jackson didn't go far from his roots with the adventure, action, and religious intrigue. Old characters felt new again and new cast members felt like they'd been there all along. Every page proved to be better than the last and I found myself engulfed in a massive story that clearly took more time and effort than readers will ever appreciate. I'm always up for some dark fantasy so this is one of my number one recommendations for anyone looking to start a new series. Take it from someone three books into the series, Eve of Redemption will not disappoint any readers looking for a strong female lead, evenly paced writing, plot development, and my favorite—excellent world building. There's enough action to fill anyone's imagination and the character development is rich throughout the entire series. If you want a fresh new adventure, then I would suggest this set of books.
Smoke and Mirrors (Blackhollow Academy, #1)
Haines, Jess *
The blurb to this story is spectacular. I simply could not wait to get through my heavy list of books to review so I could reach this novel. On one en The blurb to this story is spectacular. I simply could not wait to get through my heavy list of books to review so I could reach this novel. On one end, I was not disappointed. But there were points that I think impacted my rating.
The parts that I did like about the book was the idea of magic and the way it was used. I thought the academy was a cool idea and I loved the classes and training that Kimberly had to go through. The book felt more like an urban fantasy than a general fantasy because of the society that was depicted throughout the novel but that's not a complaint at all.
Incorporating the magical creatures like dragons, crows, etc, also played a key role in the book but it played on your imagination as well. I think it would have been a shame to have such a magically themed book not include the beautiful creatures that so often appear in the genre. The fact that most of the creatures were shifters made the characters more appealing and gave them a second layer of depth.
The fighting between the sorcerers and the mages made for a great secondary storyline. I've read a good deal of fantasy but I don't think I've come across a book that makes distinct differences between one magic user and another. I think that portion of the book intrigued me more than anything else, only rivaled by the budding romance between Kimberly and Cormac.
Cormac was a cool character, he was refreshing and kind which definitely made the story progression a little easier to get through. Some of the passages told through his POV helped explain the events that played out and also highlighted the development of his character in relation to Kimberly.
Now what lowered my rating on this book was, surprisingly, the romance. I did enjoy it and I think other fans of romance, especially paranormal romance, will enjoy it too. But what I didn't like about it was Kimberly. She was annoying and didn't quite try to understand Cormac or where he was coming from. Her reactions and exchanges with him made her seem childish for the most part and I kind of wished Cormac would man up and tell her to buzz off. The romance also took over two-thirds of the story. Then it was like, oh yeah, so back to this mage/sorcerer war going on. I think this book was a good introduction to a series but I feel like the author wasn't quite sure if they wanted a complete romance with a little action/drama or an action novel with a little romance. So we kind of got this mixed up book with awkward little tidbits of both.
At the end of the day, I did like the book and I would totally recommend it to others. If you like supernatural romance and magic users, then this is definitely something you'll enjoy. Plus, it's got a pretty headstrong female lead, which I'm sure will entertain many audiences.
They Mostly Come Out at Night (Yarnsworld, #1)
Patrick, Benedict *
I would first like to compliment the awesome looking cover for this book. It is mystical and creepy, definitely fitting for such a story.
So just what I would first like to compliment the awesome looking cover for this book. It is mystical and creepy, definitely fitting for such a story.
So just what is this story about? With as much fantasy, supernatural, dark fiction, and even a little adventure, I would honestly say this is a coming of age book. It's a story about a boy who must become a man. About a man who desires to win the love of his life and about a man who must realize his destiny. There are actually multiple stories in this book and they tie together very well.
They Mostly Come Out at Night is every dark fantasy reader's dream. Its creepy and gives you the chills but in such a way that makes you want to keep reading more and more. I think Patrick is a splendid author and his way with words is very unique. Every word is deliberate and has meaning to it. I knew when I should feel creeped out—which I did—I knew when I should feel empathetic and even overwhelmed, as some of the characters were. There were parts that were heart-pounding, some were exciting, some were even tender and sweet. But overall, this was a well written book worth anyone's attention.
This is somewhat of an underdog story. There are monsters that lurk beyond Lonan's village and he is accused of letting them inside. Not only does he have to clear his name, but Lonan is faced with a new threat. He must find a way to protect the ones he loves most and win back the trust of his village. This is a story that tests friendships and family bonds, it shows you what you're worth when tough times come. Who can you trust when people begin disappearing in the night?
I loved the style of writing in this book. It read like an old fable or folktale, as if Patrick had been born in the wrong era. I couldn't help but love Lonan and not because he was the protagonist, just because he was loveable. He was a character who easily got stuck in his own head. He could get lost in his thoughts even with all the darkness that surrounded him. I loved how relatable he was even though he lived in a village in the woods while I live in a city in upstate New York.
The setting for the story was really cool too, it made the background detail quite intriguing. I loved imagining going out to pick herbs or interacting with a 'village healer' that whole concept was very fresh and felt like taking a step away from the modern world.
I normally enjoy the books I review, because I only choose to review books I think will be interesting. But aside from my job to gush about what I liked and trash what I didn't, as an honest reader, I truly enjoyed this book. I would most definitely recommend it to readers of all ages, especially those with an interest in darker fiction.
Legacy (Descendent Darkness #2)
Macready, A J
I always maintain contact with authors I review for, especially those who allow me to review books that are part of a series. This case is no differen I always maintain contact with authors I review for, especially those who allow me to review books that are part of a series. This case is no different. Descendent Darkness is a vampire read with much sophistication—it would put the original Dracula to shame.
Macready is meticulous, insightful, and very detailed. I reviewed the first book in this series and said the same thing with a little less kindness, as I complained that the in-depth details and the pure sophistication of the writing made the book seem a little slow. But book two did not disappoint so much. The style was still admittedly slow, but I was expecting that so I found it much easier to get through this book. Plus, I knew the backstory which made it all the more interesting.
The case with the first book is that a curse had been released and defeated but seemed to be arising once again. The second book continues the struggle and gives us a little more to feed on. The way the story went in this book made the first book feel like one big prologue. There was a lot of build-up in the first book along with explanations and much-needed dialogue between the characters. This book kind of felt like the curtains had finally been drawn and the secrets revealed.
The entire town is in on this one. The problems no longer lie within a core group of characters, Macready extended the boundaries in this book and in doing so, crafted a very horrific tale that was so expertly written, it felt like a classic. The night brought on terror and a strike of fear so strong, I got sweaty palms while reading. Despite the pacing, it was easy to get caught up in the mess of 1982 and just what was wreaking psychological havoc on Clarke's Summit, Virginia today.
Macready painted the picture of a town in trouble they could not describe or defeat. The mess was poured into the lap of Mike Gatson who is described as having family with a 'legacy of evil' this obviously pertains to the title of the story and it does tie in greatly once you get to read through the novel.
It was definitely a good read. I think Legacy proved that authors develop with their stories. Macready's writing is one that takes getting used to, but I enjoyed this story better than the first. Vampire novels and dark fiction can have a good or bad rep but Macready did well in providing a unique and quite scary addition to a genre that's become saturated with romance.
I would recommend this book to readers who are fans of supernatural novels, vampires, dark fiction, and even horror. This has an intense psychological edge and will be a great book to those who enjoy great writing and narration.
Lunacy's Core (#1)
Edwards, T.D. *
I will start this review off by saying that I genuinely enjoyed this book. I really did. What I loved so much about it is that I got to read it as a r I will start this review off by saying that I genuinely enjoyed this book. I really did. What I loved so much about it is that I got to read it as a reader, not as a reviewer—which is how I normally approach books given to me by authors. I didn't have to nitpick at every little thing, I didn't have to make sure it all made sense (because it did all make sense) I simply got to read a good story and not many books I come across allow me to do that. I loved the flow, the writing, and the main character, Kory, right from page one. By page two, I knew I would be able to write a really good review.
First, let me tell readers just what this book is about. It feels like a mix of Bates Motel and The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Much like the protagonists of this television show and book, Kory is an awkward fellow with few friends. He has poor social skills and is haunted by the actions of his family members. Kory's aunt is rumored to have been insane and it seems like those rumors have begun to follow him around. When Kory finally makes friends with some students everything starts to go well until an unfortunate event lands him right back to where he was in the beginning of the story. An awkward kid with no friends. To make things worse, Kory also gets mixed up with a teacher who may not be there to help as much to hurt.
So there's a lot to this story revolving around the main character. It is not a very long story and the flow and structure is great. Kory is a sweet character who doesn't make you feel sorry for him, he has a strong personality and doesn't feel like a cookie cutter nerd. He is abnormal but not in that annoying, 'embrace diversity' kind of way. He's weird but it works. That's the best way I can put it. The history of his family and his aunt's abnormality make the background story and the mystery a little more interesting. The book isn't very long so everything happens kind of quick but the author doesn't fly through the details, which I appreciated very much.
Now, the only complaint I have is that there is a lot to this story. It was well structured and didn't feel rushed but an awful LOT happened for such a small cast and to stress a rather simple point. Kory has problems. I know I'm REALLY dumbing down the root of the story but at its core—pun intended—it's simply about a crazy, kooky kid. It is written well and it works out to be an entertaining book for me but I think a few things could have been left out.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes quirky characters and psychologically intriguing books.
The Nephilim and the False Prophet (Armageddon, #2)
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This is the second book in the Armageddon series that I have had the wonderful opportunity to read. I've thoroughly enjoyed Dubrow's writing so far an This is the second book in the Armageddon series that I have had the wonderful opportunity to read. I've thoroughly enjoyed Dubrow's writing so far and I don't think things will change with the next book. What I do think will change, however, is probably the world itself.
The Armageddon series is one like no other. You might assume otherwise because its titled the ARMAGEDDON series, so yeah, there's the end of the world aspect but I guarantee its nothing like you imagined. The best part of Dubrow's series that you really don't know what to expect. I'm not all so sure about who is going to win in this good versus evil battle and that's great!
The mayhem is real in this book, definitely a notch up from the first book. If you thought the violence and the intensity had died down, I'm sorry but you're dead wrong. I praise Dubrow on his imagination and the command of the English language with his description and detail. I don't normally enjoy reading about guts, explosions, and bloody death but I strangely find it something to look forward to when I crack open a book from the Armageddon series. You know you're in for a ride when it comes to anything with Armageddon in it but its going to be a ride like never before in this series.
Naturally, a book that's about the end of the world is going to have some Biblical references to it. As a Christian, I found this to be one of the most appealing aspects of the series. You can consider this an 'End-times' sort of book as it does incorporate the Biblical theme of the end of the world. There is the fall of the angels along with mankind, and even mention of the Book of Enoch. The theory is that there were many more books to the Holy Bible than we know of, one of those books detailed the end of the world in an all-out battle of good versus evil on a Godly scale. We're talking battles of the angels.
Unfortunately, this horrible period of war is here and now. It doesn't help that the world is pretty much in shambles anyway and not many even believe in the prophecies of the Bible. So wouldn't you know all the signs are ignored until it's too late?
Dubrow gives us an explosive continuation in this three-part series. It is everything you expect from the second book and more. If you like apocalyptic reads with a Biblical twist, then this is definitely for you. Those who are more open to spiritual or Christian themes will appreciate this the most, though I would recommend it to adult readers of all backgrounds.
The Blessed Man and the Witch (Armageddon, #1)
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As a Christian author myself, I get a lot of complaints from readers about Christian Fiction. It's too preachy, the characters are too perfect, it for As a Christian author myself, I get a lot of complaints from readers about Christian Fiction. It's too preachy, the characters are too perfect, it forces religion on the reader—not to mention that you don't HAVE to read so there is no 'forcing' really but whatever.
The complaints are almost always the same, to those who feel that way, I have found your answer. The Blessed Man and the Witch is a really solid read. It defies the Christian genre by mixing faith with fiction in a very 'real-world' kind of way. The characters are very realistic and gritty, I should say. They have real emotions, real questions, and face real life difficulties that aren't always resolved through innocent prayer. Not to doubt the power of prayer but it tends to be very easily overplayed in Christian Fiction, its often presented as a quick-fix rather than a legitimate communication and time spent with Christ. But I digress.
To me, this book speaks volumes because it goes there. It is something that can definitely be enjoyed by any reader, Christian or not. That's not to say that the faith aspect is nonexistent. It is there and in fact qualifies this book as a Christian book. But it blurs the lines as to what Christian Fiction is and what it could become. I think Dubrow has given us a great example of what happens when Believers think outside the box, hopefully more Christian authors will learn from him.
So basically we have four main characters who are all attempting to find this 'blessed man' as the world races toward an inevitable Armageddon. Biblical theme number one, plus the fact that each chapter begins with a Biblical verse. This book is mostly Christian 'themed' rather than Christian 'based'. But anyway…each character has their own personality, their own background story, and their own reason for seeking out this blessed man. Their tales will surprise you, upset you, intrigue you, and get you hooked into the story. You can pretty much guess what will happen in each chapter from the snippets of info included in the beginning. I really liked this because it was like having insight before knowing the full story. It left me wondering what would happen next even though I already had a small idea.
There is a basic sense of good versus evil in this story and I think Dubrow played it up well. I enjoyed the roller coaster ride from the characters and the setup of the overall story. All in all, this was a great book written spectacularly well. I would recommend it to readers of all ages and belief systems—or none at all.
The Cavern
Plante, Raelle K. *
This is a very interesting Christian supernatural novel. I really liked it, and I promise I'm not being bias just because I also happen to be an autho This is a very interesting Christian supernatural novel. I really liked it, and I promise I'm not being bias just because I also happen to be an author of Christian supernatural fiction.
In all honesty, the book is good. The subject is intriguing, even the description draws you in, the characters are cool and the twists and turns in the story are not predictable—that's always a plus.
The opening to the story was probably the strongest point in the writing. It gave us a little bit of a backstory to the real protagonist even though he isn't seen until a little later. The tragedy that happens in the prologue is almost unbelievable, I kept waiting for it to turn into a bad dream or something but it didn't and that surprisingly pleased me. I'm glad to see a fellow Believer who is willing to 'go there' and push the limits and boundaries of what Christian fiction can be.
That being said, it's important to know that this is Christian FICTION. Aside from that, it is not BIBLICAL fiction. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. This is a creative and fictional take on what COULD or WOULD happen if an 'inexperienced' angel was assigned to a strangely unique boy. That's a fantastic concept that could have been told in the secular realm but it's made so much more interesting by embracing the Christian elements that are so prevalent throughout the reading.
I liked the link between the supernatural and the natural realms. I liked the connection between the characters and the overall plotline of the story, I'm absolutely glad I had the chance to read this novel but I do feel that the story had one slight flaw. The only thing that bugged me was that the structure of the story had one consistency; a lot of the sentences would start with the same word or phrase. 'She did this' or 'he went over there'. Now, that's not an issue that made me want to rip the book to shreds or throw my kindle out the window but I did notice it and felt that it was worth pointing out.
All in all, I very much enjoyed this story and I would recommend it to Christian readers looking for an awesome twist on their faith. This is a great read for fans of Christian fantasy or anyone looking to explore the 'darker' side of Christian fiction. I think everyone who picks this up will end up enjoying it.
My Tethered Soul (Reaper's Rite, #2)
Dreyer, Dorothy *
Another awesome story by Dorothy Dreyer. I read the first Reaper's Rite book and I was completely taken in by it, that being said, the second book did Another awesome story by Dorothy Dreyer. I read the first Reaper's Rite book and I was completely taken in by it, that being said, the second book did not disappoint. It's just as dark as the first with the same amount of suspense, thrill, and adventure. Not to mention a growing romance that definitely takes a stronger stand in this book than the last.
Everything seems so much more mature in this book. Even the opening gives you a taste of the growth not just from the characters but from the author as well. A clear image of the story is painted right from the start and it went beyond my expectations. This book is a YA read but trust me, it is intense. Brutally intense.
The action was there and it was full of great detail and grace. The narration of the entire story is very well written but I personally enjoyed the action sequences because they were easy to follow and fun to imagine while I read. I loved seeing the characters and their training then having that acted out in the field, it was definitely a thrill to witness.
I could be nitpicky and complain that Zadie was left alone a few too many times, especially for someone who was in clear and obvious danger. But you know, this was a story that allowed the reader to overlook the little things. The ending was great, that's the only way I could describe it but I do feel there's room for more. That might just be me wanting more because I felt a sense of satisfaction when I closed the book but I'll be honest, there was also a sense of sadness.
I'm glad that I agreed to read this book, it completed an already awesome story but did it in a satisfying way. I have no complaints and I look forward to what may come from Dreyer in the future.
I would recommend this book to fans of YA, especially those with an interest in supernatural and dark fiction. If you like action and books where the characters have something to lose then this is something for you. 5-stars for awesome.
The Almshouse
King, Blanche *
B018A4AUG6
The cover of this book looks very sinister and even a little intimidating but it's actually a little on the sweet side. The Almshouse centers on a twe The cover of this book looks very sinister and even a little intimidating but it's actually a little on the sweet side. The Almshouse centers on a twelve-year-old girl named Julia and her life as a ghost. I wasn't really expecting that but I'm glad I stuck with the story because it became more and more interesting with every page I turned.
Julia passes away and awakens in a new realm, one ruled by spirits who are kind of stuck in between death and the afterlife. They aren't 'alive' but they haven't passed on to heaven or been taken away by the Grim Reapers. That was a surprising aspect of the book that made it a little dark but in a way that definitely added more body to the story. Reapers are something you don't see in every other supernatural story so I was pleasantly surprised by their appearance here.
The mystery in the book is this house that keeps burning down and taking the families inside with it. Because she's now a spirit, Julia is free to roam within the house visiting the lost souls who'd lived there before. She attempts to solve the mystery of the house but is met with obstacles she must overcome along the way. I like to think of this as a PG version of American Horror Story.
The characters in this book were very well developed, especially Julia. She was sweet and played her role well as both the protagonist and narrator. Although she was only twelve, she had a very mature voice and I had no complaints following her throughout the book. I'm not usually a fan of books about younger characters but I'm definitely glad I agreed to read this piece. King is a great writer and I look forward to reading more from this author. 4-stars for a few too many errors but this still stands as a book I would highly recommend to readers of all ages and interests.
The Almshouse is sweet, Julia grows and develops very much throughout the story but there is definitely a dark side here. Other than the Reapers, much of the story takes place in this spirit realm and deals with a good amount of death. If you like dark fiction, then this book will interest you.
Stirrings (Descendent Darkness #1)
Descendent Darkness is a good read. It is written VERY well, to the point where it is more than clear that the author has spent a long time with this Descendent Darkness is a good read. It is written VERY well, to the point where it is more than clear that the author has spent a long time with this idea. The narration is sophisticated and clear, the plotline isn't complex but every part and every detail in the story is important. This is something that you have to pay attention to, it is not your average vampire read with gentle kisses and a blossoming romance. There is a mystery going on here, there is violence, drama, and a great outline for an awesome and unique supernatural novel.
What I liked most about this book was the maturity in the writing. I don't know if this is Macready's debuting novel or if this author happens to be a bestseller but this book has the kind of writing and style comparable to some of the classics. I wouldn't be surprised to find this book alongside the likes of Stephen King. The flow, the structure, and the storyline were very well laid out for readers. This is something avid readers will digest and hungrily look for more. The narration flows almost poetically as the description is painted onto the pages not merely written as a list for us to read through.
I have given my honest opinion about the good in this book but I must include the bad. While I did very much enjoy the story and would recommend it to readers of all ages, I found the book a little difficult to get through at times. It was written well and it was interesting but it moved like a rock.
There was an introduction AND a prologue. Beyond that, the story progressed like a snail under water. Admittedly, I skipped pages. But not because it was boring, it was just so meticulously written that it felt slow. Maybe I've been dumbed down by all the quick reads and easy YA literature. Maybe it's my fault for being used to those cheesy vampire romances. Or hey, maybe Macready has a slow style.
Like I said, the story was GOOD. It was intriguing, dark, and even mysterious at times. It just felt a little too slow. Overall, this is a book that will be loved by fans of supernatural reads and anyone interested in dark fiction will enjoy it as well.
Dark Destiny
Grave, Thomas *
B0170G679E
This is a very typical good versus evil story but what makes it unique is that both the good and evil are represented within the main character, seven This is a very typical good versus evil story but what makes it unique is that both the good and evil are represented within the main character, seventeen-year-old Sebastian. As the description says, Sebastian is suddenly given the title of Reaper—that's right—Grim Reaper. So what will he do? Will he take up his scythe and go swinging into supernatural dominion? Or will he hang onto the threads of his dwindling humanity and attempt to continue living out a normal life?
Tough decision when you're everything but normal.
If you're a fan of supernatural novels then this is the book for you. It is written quite well and has an interesting plotline. I loved the internal battle and struggle of the protagonist, it left readers wondering throughout the book which side will he choose? What will happen next? The protagonist constantly teetered between good and bad in such a way that made me question whether to call him the protagonist or antagonist.
I think at times it is hard to like Sebastian because he clearly struggles with being Death or being a teenager but when it comes down to it, he chooses the lives of those in his inner circle rather than others. I mean, he is 'Death' not an angel so I can't really blame him for being somewhat selfish in his pickings.
I did enjoy the story very much but one of the complaints I have is about the narration. I am one who enjoys multiple POV's but I felt like there were just too many in this book. A lot of the switching was done to explain events that played out in the story—obviously things that could not be explained by Sebastian because he was just as confused as the readers at times. I understand the switching but I think it could have been done more smoothly or let things play out and then explain it later on through dialogue or whatnot.
At the end of the day, this is a great book that I highly recommend to readers of all ages. Those who are fans of supernatural and sci-fi reads will definitely want a copy but it will still be entertaining to any YA fans who are open to new reads.
Out of Body
Chater, Christopher John *
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I'm actually very excited to write a review for this book. Not only was it wildly creative and imaginative, it was dark and portrayed a more sinister I'm actually very excited to write a review for this book. Not only was it wildly creative and imaginative, it was dark and portrayed a more sinister side of fiction without including blood soaked deaths and detailed rape scenes. I mean, I don't shy away from blood and violence but it's nice to see something so dark written so cleanly. So compliments to the author on that note alone.
My second compliment would be to the main character's name; Harley Baker. I don't know how everyone else feels but I think that's a very pretty name—even prettier because the main character is actually a male. I have no idea why but I always love it when male leads have unisex names. So
Harley isn't just cool because he's the main character, he's actually a nice guy. A little obsessed with death and slightly gloomy in that 'cool' way since he lost his parents in a tragic accident—but I like him. Really, I do.
Harley is very well layered and he's easy to identify with, not just because we're stuck with him as the protagonist but because he gives a reason to like him. I feel for Harley, I've never been stuck on the other side of the life force spectrum watching as a demon lived out my life and dated my boyfriend and got me great grades but you know…life gets tough for me sometimes too.
What I mean is, Harley does more than represent the guy you're supposed to root for. He is the 'good' in the story. His character is believable and determined to do the right thing, which isn't very hard to portray when the antagonist is a demon but you know…it's done very well and it plays out nicely.
The other characters are developed well. Not all of them are integral to the plot but they are very realistic which is something that Chater seems to have mastered. No one was ever 'over the top' or portrayed in a way that didn't fit with the rest of the cast. The dialogue matched the characters as well as their age. That's probably one of the things I loved most about this story, just having the feeling that all of these people could be real somewhere. That's how well developed and believable they were—the entire cast, not just Harley.
The inclusion of religion was somewhat inevitable—which I didn't mind at all. I mean what do you expect when you have demons running amuck? I wasn't expecting the satanic worshipping but I did learn a thing or two about it from reading and I must say, Chater has done his research. I always appreciate an author who can teach me a thing or two about something I've never heard or read about before—even if it isn't necessarily something that interests me. Chater incorporated his themes very easily and in a way that kept the story moving. When you have to explain things it can easily become an info-dump but thankfully, I didn't bump into any of those.
I liked the fact that Harley was possessed by a demon but still narrated the story from the 'other side' at first it was a little confusing but once I got used to the style of narration the story flowed very smoothly. This is definitely a unique book that I think will pick up more readers as time passes by. It is something that fans of demonology will definitely enjoy, dark fantasy, supernatural, and even some YA fans may want to grab a copy.
Walk in the Flesh
Bailey, Peter *
This is one of the few books I've read with a cover that really relates to the story. I mean there's a cyborg as the main character—you can't get a be This is one of the few books I've read with a cover that really relates to the story. I mean there's a cyborg as the main character—you can't get a better cover than the one this book has right now.
I don't mean to spoil things for other reads but the plot is very interesting. It reminds me of a futuristic version of that old show, 24. There's terrorists, twisting plots, deceiving lies, and good action. The main character is scarred from an attack that leaves his spouse dead. Naturally, he vows revenge, and he's actually given the chance to get it.
Protagonist Neil remains the bitter, angry person he was before but after being given the choice to die or become a robotic killing machine, Neil is turned into a bitter, angry, justified killer.
The plot is layered thick and the characters are well developed. Walk in the Flesh has many different levels which clearly demonstrates the finesse of a seasoned author. This thriller reads like a classic, opening with a heart-pounding scene detailing one of Neil's first kills. It goes on to take readers through chases, fights, and many more deaths.
What I liked about Walk in the Flesh was the fresh originality it contained mixed with the common theme of kill or be killed. This is probably the first book I've read where the protagonist was absolutely ruthless but I loved it! I don't know if that says more about me or Bailey but I like it nonetheless. I'll admit, when I first realized the book was about a guy being turned into a cyborg I had to do a double take but I'm glad I stuck it out.
The writing is actually pretty good in this book. You can tell Bailey knows what he's doing right from the start, I don't know many authors bold enough to start off their novel with the sound of a man's neck breaking but it works so perfectly and so powerfully. The authorship is something that just draws you in, you can feel the passion of the writer behind every word and between each line.
Walk in the Flesh is wildly creative and spectacularly delivered.
The title of the book itself is something to speak of. The cover tells you exactly what this book is going to be about but 'Walk in the Flesh' is almost a play on words. It sounds more like a joke when you think about it, here we have a very human man experiencing very human emotions and having the very human instinct to gain revenge. But that individual is then turned into something very unhuman. There's definitely some underlying psychological message in this story.
All in all, I'd say Walk in the Flesh was an awesome success. I enjoyed every word—despite not being a fan of sci-fi. I was pleasantly thrilled by this horror masterpiece.
I would recommend this book to readers looking for a good new thrill. Its got suspense, action, great characters, and a well-structured and developed plot. Fans of sci-fi and futuristic reads will want to grab a copy immediately. You won't be disappointed with this book.
The Tarot Cards: Major Arcana
B010PA7C6E
There are things that I liked and disliked about this book. I believe it is a good story with a solid theme and creative ideas. But some parts fell a There are things that I liked and disliked about this book. I believe it is a good story with a solid theme and creative ideas. But some parts fell a little flat for me.
The main character. Clara was very normal. She was a girl I could see in high school, living an ordinary life until all this magical drama interrupts things. She's spunky, she's funny, and she makes a wonderful protagonist. Its not difficult to cheer for her, which surprised me because 'normal' characters can become annoying very easily. She's not this overly innocent and completely ignorant girl. She's shocked by all that unfolds in the story but she doesn't back away.
Can you imagine meeting a talking tiger? I don't think I would have reacted as normally and calmly as Clara did but it was believable nonetheless. Her inner thoughts provide some silly humor and the actual theme itself is somewhat educational for those readers who aren't familiar with this type of magic. I love all things dark and creepy but I'm pretty ignorant toward dark magic to be honest. So reading this was informative as far as how tarot cards work and how they can be tied into a highly imaginative and creative adventure.
Now, what I didn't like about the book was the style of writing. Much of the book read like a long list of actions. I found many paragraphs that started with the same word or with 'Clara did this'. Most of the time it didn't flow very well.
"She quickly got changed…She picked the card up and put it in her black canvas, messenger bag. She slung the bag over her shoulder…"
Much of the book was like that which really bothered me because I liked the story but I couldn't really get past the writing. There also wasn't much detail or description where it was needed. I mentioned before that Clara met a talking tiger but that's about it. She meets a tiger, realizes he can talk and finds out his name is Alex. There's no real description as to what the tiger looks like, if its majestic, if its beautiful, fierce, breathtaking, or just looks like a big striped kitty cat. I know that Clara is shocked by what happens in her life but that's it.
I don't see the sweat dripping from her brow, I don't feel the shiver that runs up her spine. I just know that she's surprised but determined to live up to her title and play the cards she's been dealt.
Ok…that kind of writing is fine for children's fiction but I believe this book is intended for a teenage to young adult audience which requires more detail.
There was description in the dialogue, which flowed naturally as far as word exchange, but the extra details made the conversations seem long and choppy. Much of the dialogue was drowned in extra actions and unnecessary words.
"Why am I here? ..." she asked as she glanced down nervously.
"This is Gaia…" he informed her referring to the card on her pillow.
"…Cards?" she asked, having thought there was only one.
"Yes, the tarot cards," he nodded, assuming she had found the card that was sent to her.
Some people may not mind all the extra words but I like for conversations to go as smoothly and quickly as possible. I just don't see the point in adding things like 'she said' or 'he said' when there's only two people in the conversation. It isn't hard to keep up with who's speaking with only a few characters.
Despite having some issues with the writing, I do believe this is a great story and I would recommend it to fans of magic, fantasy and maybe even a little mystery too. You will enjoy this exciting ride if you don't mind the style of writing. It's a creative and unique story that deserves to be told.
Grim Crush (Grimly Ever After #1)
Bynum, S.L. *
I really enjoyed this book, from the bottom of my heart. Because it felt like another typical YA romance—which is not a complaint in the least bit—but I really enjoyed this book, from the bottom of my heart. Because it felt like another typical YA romance—which is not a complaint in the least bit—but it had just enough originality and flare to stand on its own ground.
Grim Crush is pretty much summed up in the title. It has two meanings, the first is the obvious; there is a romance here that shouldn't be in place. But the second meaning is where the creativity comes in. Grim Crush is about a relationship between a girl named Xia who happens to be a grim reaper, and a Native American boy whose family has an obsession with the dead. It sounds like a match made in heaven right? Wrong. Because the Reapers happen to have a strict no-contact policy with humans. Meaning, Xia isn't allowed to speak to this boy—even though he happens to be able to see her.
My knowledge of grim reapers is about as in-depth as the knowledge every other human character has in this book. Until recently, I'd only ever thought they were guys in long black robes with death scythes and skeletal faces. Boy was I wrong. Bynum builds us a world that's completely original and imaginative. She gives Reapers a history and explains their special skills which goes beyond guiding souls into the afterlife.
I loved the concepts she brought into the story, having Reapers able to speak multiple languages, not needing sleep, always wearing black but in a more fashionable way of course! I also liked how Bynum brought real world events into her very supernatural world like the earthquake in Japan. It takes an interesting perspective. I never thought of how it would feel to see such a tragedy from the eyes of someone who isn't exactly alive but Bynum brings the human emotion on blast and it's very believable.
Now, the characterization is very well done here. Xia is a girl that I couldn't help but love. She's so funny yet dry at the same time! Her take on death and the afterlife is very bland, she guides souls for a living, so she isn't as shocked by death as you'd think a teenage girl would be but that's what makes it so entertaining. It's like Xia 'comes alive' when this boy is brought into her life, which plays on her role as a grim reaper and highlights the dullness in her personality at the same time. I can tell she is a character carefully layered with thought and care.
Shilah was great too, I've talked about my Native lineage in plenty of other reviews featuring Native American characters but I'm always pleased to find more books including aspects of my culture. It's like Natives thrive in Indie books!
Shilah is a guy every girl would love to have as a boyfriend. He's kind, understanding, and incredibly silly when he's alone with Xia. Even when things get complicated because of Xia's superiors, he stays by her side to the point where Xia actually feels guilty. She confesses that she feels like she's depriving him of normalcy because of his dedication to her—a grim reaper—but Shilah never complains.
The romance between the two characters is great and well developed. We're not given much anxiety and cliff hangers, hoping and praying they get together with a grand kiss on the last page. No, we're guided through a well-developed relationship despite all its complications and hiccups.
The ending was great! It felt well placed and well-written—as was the rest of the book—but there's definitely room for the rest of the series.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good romance with supernatural flare. It makes a great YA read and it's written very well.
Broken Blades Don't Sing (Tales of Ashkar, #1)
Karadjian, Kayl *
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There's a lot of fantasy here, fantasy that requires a decent amount of imagination. This book actually feels more like an adventurous anime than a no There's a lot of fantasy here, fantasy that requires a decent amount of imagination. This book actually feels more like an adventurous anime than a novel but its good. The concept of Elementalists really reminded me of one of my favorite pastime shows; Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which humans with the ability to manipulate the elements waged war.
The plotline of Broken Blades kind of breaks into more than one story, which shouldn't surprise anyone who's ever read a smidge of fantasy before. We start off with a young Serraemas, eight years old, he's at home with his mother who's making stew when his father comes home with seemingly big news. News that will take them from their class of peasants to the higher-ups. Unfortunately their late dinner is interrupted by a sudden attack which leaves our protagonist nearly dead. Lucky for him, he's rescued from the cold by the beautiful Elena who serves as our main romantic interest for the story.
From there we have plenty of good old fight scenes, narrow escapes, and highly emotional exchanges between the complex characters.
Serraemas is a character I somewhat enjoyed, I liked his growth as the story progressed. He goes from eight to around eighteen and we clearly see a difference between the scared boy who'd been left for dead to the caring boyfriend with instincts sharper than a two-edged sword.
Serraemas is the kind of hero every girl wants to read about. He's gorgeous, he's protective, and he fights for a cause. He's a well-developed guy, to the point where it becomes clear to the reader that author Karadjian obviously had fun layering the depths of his personality.
Admittedly, I was expecting to find a guy who'd choke in battle and annoy me with a hundred thousand flashbacks of that gruesome night in his childhood. While there were hints of his past that came up throughout the book, they were all totally necessary and, in my opinion, they only helped to push the story along. I never felt trapped in Serraemas' past, and I wasn't annoyed by the emotion he brought to the story. It was all believable and very well put together.
Now….Elena….
What to say about her? When I first started reading, I just wanted her to die. Not even a full page into her character's introduction and I wanted her to go away. She was utterly useless except to serve as another reason to keep Serraemas's fighting spirit alive. I get it, sometimes a story has a character who is simply the 'pretty girl' and that's OK except this version of the beautiful, innocent, damsel in distress was a complete turn-off. I could have accepted the fact that she was just a nice squeeze for the protagonist but I felt like her whole 'innocent beauty in an ugly world' getup was a really annoying hit and miss. There was nothing to her except that she was so beautiful and her skin was so soft, and her lips so pink, and she was so innocently gorgeous and did I mention how beautiful she was?
Other than Elena, I really liked this story. And in the author's defense, she wasn't actually in it much so I guess I really enjoyed it.
Raxxil was someone I loved and hated. He was cool but he was also a little arrogant and a bit aggressive too. Most of his lines were shouted, barked, or hollered; it was entertaining and annoying which is a good thing because that shows how much I was into the story! You can tell you have a good author with a great story when they make you want to chuck their book across the room and fall asleep reading it at the same time.
Broken Blades Don't Sing was unique and original, full of deeply pained characters with their own stories that brought you closer to them and in turn brought you deeper into the plot as a whole. The concept of the Elementalists was intriguing, there was more than just the four simple elements and the way their powers were portrayed was actually cool. The structure of the book was well thought out, it was clearly planned from cover to cover, you could tell that just by how much detail was pumped into each page. Even gestures from the characters were mentioned, their outfits were described, sometimes their food too—all of this helped me get to know them a little better.
My favorite thing about this book was the vivid detail and the way the author set up each scene. I felt like I was guided through the book, as if I were sitting back and watching all this play out before me. I will admit, the narration was a little odd for me. It was GOOD, but it was odd. Only because the world was recreated around nations and Lords and sometimes the characters said things like "The Master wishes…" but then they would go and say "Son of a b—!" to me, that didn't match up well. I just didn't think the inclusion of foul language that kids use today matched with the kind of foul language that would have been used in the Age of the Lion or Rimas, or the other Ages.
That's not to say that the writing or the editing was bad though. It was pretty great actually, and the story still flowed well. With a cast as large as the one in this book, you'd think I'd be confused from bouncing from character to character but no. Each location, character, and action was easy to follow. Broken Blades Don't Sing deserved each of the five stars I gave it. I'm pleased to say I got to read a quality book written by a talented and imaginative author. I look forward to the next book in the series.
My Sister's Reaper (Reaper's Rite, #1)
I'm a huge fan of horror, blood, and all things dark. So this book was an instant win for me right form the description. Thankfully, it did not disapp I'm a huge fan of horror, blood, and all things dark. So this book was an instant win for me right form the description. Thankfully, it did not disappoint. I thought the plot unfolded really well, with a great opening that took me in right from the first page.
So there's zombies, magic, and creepy wish granting. It sounds crazy when I spell it out like that but, believe me, it was one interesting ride. Young Zadie is faced with a tragedy when her sister is in a terrible accident, desperate to save her, she interrupts the flow of life and death to keep her sister on the side of the living. Thus the tale unfolds and can you believe there's actually room for romance in here?
The cover is the first thing I want to talk about. It looks awesome, very alluring and very intriguing. From the start I wanted to read this book before I even read the blurb for it. That's something that every good book needs, even if the inside isn't so great at least you have a chance at drawing in readers from the cover!
The thing I liked best about this book was the characterization. They are so realistic and charming, I felt like I could place them in any book and they would adapt, I felt like I could see them in movies or television shows and I'd know exactly who they were. I even felt like I could meet them in person. Everyone's personality developed to a degree and they came out in their own way during the progression of the story. I enjoy loving characters so having a female lead as witty yet determined as Zadie was gave me one heck of a read.
The style of writing was good for YA. Dreyer set up the structure and the flow very well, I was carried from beginning to end without a problem, no confusion, no flipping back through the chapters to see what I missed, everything was laid out in plain color with lively details and intriguing description.
The very concept itself was what originally got me interested. I'm not a HUGE fan of zombies but they're done in a way that's actually cool in this book. Plus the setup with the accident and Zadie's desperation to keep her sister alive really played with the emotions of the readers. I mean, you don't have to have a sister to understand Zadie's struggle and plea but I think anyone could relate to this tale—as crazy and up and down as it was. Even though it was about zombies and reapers and such, everyone has someone they'd be willing to do absolutely anything to save. My Sister's Reaper takes that concept and twists it into a wildly creative and original story.
Another thing I really enjoyed about this book was the naming. The characters themselves were enjoyable but I thought their names were quite interesting too. Even though this all took place in modern society, their unique names gave the story an extra boost of creativity and fantastic appeal.
If you like dark fantasy, YA reads, and anything that has to do with zombies, I would highly recommend this book. The writing is great and the story is unique, give it a try, I promise it won't be disappointing.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Since 1994, Louise Nixon's law practice has focused on retirement benefits, specifically determining the community or marital interest in pension benefits earned through employment and in consulting and/or drafting appropriate orders for the division and disposition of those interests. Ms. Nixon is founder and president of QDRO Benefits Law Group, APLC (www.qdrobenefitslawgroup.com).
Ms. Nixon spent many years practicing with Laquer, Urban, Clifford & Hodge LLP, a firm known for representing several union multi-employer trust funds, such as the Operating Engineers Pension Trust. While at the firm, Ms. Nixon managed all aspects of the review and approval process of QDROs, handled federal court litigation and negotiated cases in the employee benefits field involving complex pension issues. As a plan attorney, she drafted plan "sample QDROs" and "QDRO procedures," and mediated between parties and the plan to resolve pension disputes.
Ms. Nixon keeps abreast of changes to ERISA, case law, other governmental codes or regulations affecting retirement plans. Her years of experience as an ERISA attorney enables her to prepare QDROs for all types of plans for parties in a divorce, to comprehensively review QDROs already prepared for compliance and fairness, and to reach solutions to complex pension issues. When retained by one or both parties in a divorce, Ms. Nixon incorporates her skills and experiences as a plan attorney in drafting the QDROs and maneuvering through the plan approval process. Over Ms. Nixon's tenure in this area of law, she estimates to have drafted, reviewed and issued opinions on well over 10,000 QDROs.
Ms. Nixon received her BA from the University of California, Davis in 1984 and her JD from Whittier Law School in 1993. Before she began her legal career, Ms. Nixon worked as a legislative aide in Washington, D.C. and as public relations director for the Los Angeles World Affairs Council. Personally Ms. Nixon is involved with Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority as well as local church and community activities.
Ms. Nixon is a recurrent family law court appointed expert on QDROs. She is a frequent speaker for family law groups and Bar Associations, Family Law Executive Committee for the State Bar of California, employee benefit groups, and local to national continuing legal education (CLE) organizations, including California Family Law Reports (CFLR) a division of Thomson Reuters. She has written articles for the ACFLS and ABA Newsletter. She has been quoted in publications including the NY Times and WSJ. Ms. Nixon has been interviewed on Women's Radio Network, Divorce Talk Radio, and Kobylt and Friends /RadioTV.


Some people suffer from a condition called enuresis, which is simply known as bed-wetting. This is the act of wetting the bed during sleep. This is a normal act for children, especially young ones, but is often just a part of a person's development. At a certain age in childhood, people usually pass this stage. However, some people seem to get stuck with bed-wetting, which develops into a medical condition in their case. According to studies, this condition more commonly affect boys.
This can be a great source of embarrassment, especially for adults, so if you are a victim of this problem, seek a solution as soon as you can.
1. Find the cause. The first step is to know which of these factors cause the problem. It is important to determine the specific factor that causes bed-wetting, so you can address the problem from the right angle.
2. Seek appropriate treatment. If the enuresis is caused by urinary tract infection, physical abnormalities, and genetic factors, you can consult a doctor on what best to do about it.
3. Invest in subliminal treatment products. There are some factors that cause bed-wetting that cannot be treated using medical means. If you find that your bed-wetting habits is caused by stress or incorrect behavioral pattern, there is one easy and effective way to solve the problem. You can get rid of your negative habits with the help of an all-natural, perfectly safe treatment method using subliminal messages.
Subliminal messages send suggestions deep into the subconscious mind to reprogram the way the mind works. This way, the behavioral patterns or the stress that cause the bed-wetting problem may be eliminated.
I have full control over my body.
I have total control of my bladder.
My bed stays dry all night.
I have good toilet habits.
These subliminal messages can be delivered to your subconscious mind with the use of subliminal videos or audio. They are preferably watched or listened to before you go to sleep. You don't have to do anything else other than play the video or audio. You can also play audio tracks all night long. The best thing about using subliminal products is that you can order them online and use them without having to tell anyone about your embarrassing condition.
4. Avoid drinking plenty of fluids at night. You can also take some extra measures to reduce the chances of you wetting the bed. One of this is to stop drinking a lot of fluids before you go to sleep.
5. Reward yourself for dry nights. Since the mind also responds strongly to patterns and positive reinforcements, you may also prepare a reward for yourself for every dry night you have. This way, your mind also feels motivated to control your bladder more strongly to keep you dry all night long.
Nelson Berry is the Pioneer of Subliminal Messages Videos and Subliminal MP3s Audio Subliminal Messages online. Valued at $160, click for 4 Free Subliminal Messages Videos!


The Art of Making a Home: Welcome to The Art of Making a Home!
Since I became an adult, I became less enthusiastic about sharing my life with the internet population. Since I became a mom, I became more enthusiastic about connecting with other moms and comforted by the fact that no matter what I'm going through at any given moment, chances are there is someone else out there going through it too.
And so after months of reaping the benefits of the courage of others laying their lives before the world, I dive head first into the magical world of blogging.