Review: Raelia (The Medoran Chronicles #2) by Lynette Noni

August 17, 2016July 14, 2019 / Absidity Art / Leave a comment

“Life is full of crossroads, Alex. Full of choices.”

Returning for a second year at Akarnae Academy with her gifted friends, Alexandra Jennings steps back through a doorway into Medora, the fantasy world that is full of impossibilities.

Despite the magical wonder of Medora, Alex’s life remains threatened by Aven Dalmarta, the banished prince from the Lost City of Meya who is out for her blood.

To protect the Medorans from Aven’s quest to reclaim his birthright, Alex and her friends seek out the Meyarin city and what remains of its ancient race.

Not sure who—or perhaps what—she is anymore, all Alex knows is that if she fails to keep Aven from reaching Meya, the lives of countless Medorans will be in danger. Can she protect them, or will all be lost?

THE MEDORAN CHRONICLES is a five-part series that offers a new slant on magical parallel worlds – with authority figures who aren’t quite what they seem, jostling friends and rivals and unconvential magic influenced by futuristic technology. Goodreads View.

MY THOUGHTS: The Medoran Chronicles summed up in three words; captivating, endearing and fun. I went from reading the first book straight into the second and now I’ve got an extreme book hangover happening. Bring on Draekora NOW (Book #3) I can’t wait until 2017!

The whole book was fantastic, but the last 20% was a frenzied whirlwind of action and emotion. I was bouncing on the edge of my seat as I flipped through the pages. I was enjoying it so much, that I didn’t want the story to end.

Alex is a fantastic female character. We see her grow throughout the first two books into a force to be reckoned with. She is spunky and full of life. She is loving and loyal. She is both mentally and physically strong. She is brave and determined to do the right thing. We need more YA heroines like Alex.

Her Friends: Bear comes off as a total sweetheart. Dix (D.C.) is another fantastic female character and was a nice to see her become Alex’s close friend, rather than just the background character she was in the first book. Jordan is a cheeky and adorable doofus. Kaiden has total heart throb appeal. Why hello there you slow burning love interest you, how you doin’ cutie pie. When we first met Kaiden in book one I was like “I’m keeping my eye on you, I have a feeling about you” and now I’m really looking forward to seeing (hopefully) Alex and Kaiden’s bond growing further in the next book.

The Medoran Chronicles has been Labeled as mixture of Harry Potter, X-Men and Narnia and I’ve actually seen it compared to Harry Potter on multiple occasions. There are definitely similarities and this is a good thing in my mind, as they are good similarities (if that makes sense). And hell yes I hope The Medoran Chronicles ends up with the same sort of fan base / fame as Harry, cause its an awesome Aussie YA. I think the Medoran Chronicles is the sort off story that people will want to return to and re-read again and again as the years go by. Lynette Noni I applauded your imagination and please keep letting us into the fantasy worlds in your head.

FIVE “gimme gimme more” STARS.

WARNING: the ending if full of Heartbreaking betrayal. Ahhhhhh Lynette Noni why you hurt me so.

LYNETTE NONI LINKS: Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook | Website

Amazon AU | Amazon US | Booktopia

Mini Reviews: Akarnae + Simon + Zim

August 10, 2016July 14, 2019 / Absidity Art / 2 Comments

Akarnae (The Medoran Chronicles #1) by Lynette Noni

With just one step, sixteen-year-old Alexandra Jennings’s world changes—literally.

Dreading her first day at a new school, Alex is stunned when she walks through a doorway and finds herself stranded in Medora, a fantasy world full of impossibilities. Desperate to return home, she learns that only a man named Professor Marselle can help her… but he’s missing.

While waiting for him to reappear, Alex attends Akarnae Academy, Medora’s boarding school for teenagers with extraordinary gifts. She soon starts to enjoy her bizarre new world and the friends who embrace her as one of their own, but strange things are happening at Akarnae, and Alex can’t ignore her fear that something unexpected… something sinister… is looming.

An unwilling pawn in a deadly game, Alex’s shoulders bear the crushing weight of an entire race’s survival. Only she can save the Medorans, but what if doing so prevents her from ever returning home?

Will Alex risk her entire world—and maybe even her life—to save Medora? Goodreads View.

My Thoughts: What a fast and fun read this book was! A really strong start to what I’m sure will be a entertaining and captivating series. I’ve already got book number two lined up ready to read :-). The main characters we easily likable and I fell for them immediately. The story was easy to read and flowed really well. FIVE “I loved it and would happily re-read it” STARS.

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now Simon is actually being blackmailed: if he doesn’t play wingman for class clown Martin, his sexual identity will become everyone’s business. Worse, the privacy of Blue, the pen name of the boy he’s been emailing, will be compromised.

With some messy dynamics emerging in his once tight-knit group of friends, and his email correspondence with Blue growing more flirtatious every day, Simon’s junior year has suddenly gotten all kinds of complicated. Now, change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he’s pushed out—without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he’s never met. Goodreads View.

My Thoughts: I had the biggest smile on my face when I finished this book. I had flip flopped over reading it because I was worried it wouldn’t live up to the hype. Believe the hype! Seriously it has topped my favorite reads of the year so far. I got lost in Simon’s world and would happily go back and get lost again. Simon is freaking adorable and I thoroughly enjoyed watching him struggle, fumble and come out on top. FIVE STARS for this must read adorable feel good story. Headless Simon even made it onto my Instagram >>

Invader Zim #11 by Sarah Andersen

“A special one-shot written and illustrated by Sarah Andersen (Sarah’s Scribbles)! When GIR brings home a flea-ridden stray cat, ZIM is furious—until he finds out what the cat does to Dib. Dib’s sneezing and covered in hives—could the magical powers of this “”cat”” be harnessed and turned against all of mankind? Could the earth FINALLY be ZIM’s?” Goodreads View.

My Thoughts: Invader Zim, the Invader Zim from my childhood in a comic written by Sarah Anderson. How could I not read this! I love Sarah’s Scribbles.

The comic was a quick and fun read. I think Sarah’s humor came shining through in Zim’s use of kitty cats and puppy dogs to turn his arch nemesis Dib into an allergy ridden puss ball. THREE ‘I liked it’ STARS.

Review: Hero by Belinda Crawford

July 18, 2016July 14, 2019 / Absidity Art / 2 Comments

Centuries ago, humans colonised Jørn, a lonely planet on the far side of the galaxy. Arriving in five great colony ships, they quickly settled the surface only to discover, after a few short years, that the planet was killing them. The culprit, a native spore, carried on every wind to every corner of the globe.

Genetic engineering, blending DNA from Earth and Jørn species, saved their crops and livestock, but for humans there was no cure. Instead they took to the skies, turning their colony ships into cities that floated above the spore’s reach.

Hero Regan is special, and not in a way she likes. She hears voices, voices in her head that other people can’t. Surrounded by butlers, bodyguards and tutors, insulated from the outside world, her only solace is Fink, a six-hundred-kilogram, genetically engineered ruc-pard. They share lives, thoughts, triple-chocolate marshmallow ice-cream and the burning desire for freedom.

Their chance comes when Hero is allowed to attend school in Cumulus City. Here, along with making unexpected friends, Hero discovers she is an unwitting part of a master plan set into motion by the first colonists, a plan she must either help or foil if she’s ever to attain the freedom she craves.

* * * * * * * My Thoughts * * * * * * *

How would you feel if you had been told lies your whole life and forced to take medication when you knew you weren’t sick?

How would you feel if you found out you were a human hybrid and that your whole life had been some sort of long running science experiment?

Would you strive to live up to some higher purpose or turn on those around you?

Hero is the first book in The Hero Rebellion and it introduces us to Hero Regan. We see Hero battle normal teenager issues; school bullies and finding out who her true friends are, as well as dealing with the consequences of who and what she truly is. Hero is an extremely intelligent young woman and it feels as if she has an epic life in-front of her, one I’m looking forward to continuing to follow.

It took me little while to get used to all the new names of things, the animals and construction materials etc, but I can see that the purpose of this was to set the scene of a new futuristic world and it was all good once I got the rhythm of it.

Hero was published on the 21st of September 2015. I came across it on NetGalley just days before it was archived on the 31st of May 2016 *throws hands up to the sky* Thank you Odyssey Books for still authorising me a review copy at such late notice! #LoveOzYA

Did I get your attention with those opening lines? And while yes, I’ve just given away a few of the major reveals in the book, I haven’t given away them all! Hero was a Five Star YA Sci-Fi for me and I’m looking forward to reading the sequel.

* * * * * * * Author Links * * * * * * *

Sneak peek available on Wattpad

The Caster Chronicles by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

February 17, 2016July 14, 2019 / Absidity Art / 2 Comments

This is the first time I’ve tried to do a whole series review as appose to each book separately, so let’s see how this goes.

The first book, Beautiful Creatures, follows Ethan and Lena as they discover each other and the connection that ties them together. We see Ethan plunged into a magical world he never knew existed and Lena escape being claimed. We meet many influential characters, including Lena’s Dark Caster mother, Sarafine. The main characters all bar one survive Lena’s 16^th birthday and there are plenty of loose ends to drive you in to reading the second book, Beautiful Darkness.

The second book is non-stop, action packed and improves on the first. In The first book a large chunk of the story was set around Ethan and Lena’s experience at school, where as in the second book it is nearly entirely set in the underground Caster world. We keep all the characters we’ve previously met and more are thrown into the mix; the mysterious John, undead Abraham and adorable Liv, just to name a few. We find out the truth about Ethan’s mother’s death and her involvement with Macon, as well as some secrets about Ethan’s own special destiny.

Set between the second and third Caster Chronicles is Dream Dark, Link’s transformation novella. In this we see Link learning to handle his new semi-Incubus self and taking his first steps solo in the paranormal underworld as an adorable “Linkubus”.

In the third book, Beautiful Chaos, we find out about Abraham’s master plan which has been years and years in the making, to destroy the caster and mortal world. Ridley runs off, John’s trapped, Lena and Liv make peace, Amma goes mad, aunt Prue dies and Ethan has a run in with the wheel of fate. In the end we are left answer-less with a killer cliff hanger ending.

The forth book, Beautiful Redemption is by far the best book in the series. The story is told by both Lena and Ethan, which was a nice surprise as Ethan has narrated all the others. We journey with Ethan through the otherworld. We see him reunited with his mother and aunt Pure in death and we see him fight his way back to the land of the living. We see Lena deciphering the messages Ethan sends her from beyond the grave and together with all the loved ones Ethan left behind they send him the help he needs to defeat the ones who destined him to die.

You know how some last books in a series can be a letdown, Beautiful Redemption was the opposite – it went above my expectations. All my questions were answered and everything felt balanced and whole by the end. It certainly was a beautiful ending.

I read the books over a five-month period with others in-between, rather than devouring them one after another in a binge like I normally would. I’d give the series a four-star rating as a whole. I really liked it, but was capable of not marathon-ing it. I’m happy I read all five, they were well worth the read. I don’t intend on reading the spin off series Dangerous Creatures which follows Ridley and Link’s life after the events of the Beautiful Creatures series, but I am thinking that I will add Beautiful Redemption to my re-read list, yes I enjoyed it that much!

1^st book, 4 Stars. 2^nd book, 4 stars. Novella, 4 stars. 3^rd book, 3 stars. 4^th book, 5 stars.

Kami Garcia: Website | Goodreads | Twitter

Margaret Stohl: Website | Goodreads | Twitter

Chains of Water and Stone by Katherine Hurley

January 27, 2016July 14, 2019 / Absidity Art / 2 Comments

Chains of Water and Stone (Griever’s Mark #2)

by Katherine Hurley

Who is Logan’s father? The question has been whispered behind his back all his life. He’s ignored it, forced himself not to care, but when Belos starts demanding an answer to this very question, it takes on a new and disturbing significance.

As the race to answer this question begins, others rise in its wake, unearthing a mystery that could shake the very foundation of Earthmaker life, a mystery that could shake the whole world apart.

But Astarti has more immediate concerns. Logan is in grave danger, and she’s desperate to get to him before he is destroyed–body, mind, and soul.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ My Thoughts ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I’m feeling like a teenage fangirl at the moment. I didn’t want to put this book down and I enjoyed it even more than the first one.

I’m going to use a phrase I’ve only used once before in a review. Ship! As in; I totally ship Astarti and Logan. Actually the plain and frumpy 14-year-old that still resides inside my head wants TO BE Astarti.

In this second instalment we follow Astarti as she fights to free Logan from Belos, the man who was previously her captor. Logan and Astarti’s love grows even more, with them finally admitting, damn the consequences, that they love each other. Their love is delicious and made me fell all warm and fuzzy inside.

Astarti finds a friend, helper and protector in Horik her father’s champion warrior. I loved Horik becoming a major character in this book.

Once Astarti and Horik have freed Logan, we see the three of them partake in a quest for the truth behind Logan’s parentage.

By the end of the book we have found out the truth about what Logan is and a power as old as time has fallen into dangerous hands. Kathrine has set herself up for an Epic third book.

This book has action, romance, revenge, mystic tales of old, destruction, family secrets, a world in turmoil, dancing, pub brawls, evil creepy old skeletal men, clashes between rival races, grandmother visiting, self-discovery, magic, mystery and mead.

I love the world Kathrine’s has created. I love Astarti blending the elements of her earth with the energy of her soul. Actually I find both Astarti and Logan’s powers beautiful and fascinating.

I’ve been trying to decide if this book would stand on its own or not. I think it would still be an enjoyable fantasy fling, but you need to read the first book first to get a grip on how evil Belos’s is and where Logan and Astarti’s love first began.

I received a review copy for the first book in this series, The Griever’s Mark, from Kathrine. I liked it so much I pre-ordered this book as soon as it was available. But then I got so bogged down in review copies and other things I had scheduled, that I only recently got to finally read it. Since it took me so long to read number two I don’t have to wait for number three. Unbound (Griever’s Mark #3) has just been realised. Silver lining right there!

Do you dare to step into the Drift?

The Griever’s Mark (#1)

Astarti’s master controls her through a Leash, a bond of energy anchored deep within her. Despite being one of the few remaining Drifters, able to manipulate the energy world, she cannot break free. She knows her fate: she will serve until she dies, at which point her master will harvest her energy to augment his own.

Oh, yes, she’s done some bad things in her master’s name. She’s not asking for forgiveness. She expects you to hate her.

What she doesn’t expect is Logan, a man meant to be her sworn enemy. A man with secrets as dark as her own.

Unbound (Griever’s Mark #3)

As the growing conflict forces Logan to embrace his newly discovered heritage, he fights to control a power he has long kept buried—a power that threatens everything he has tried to make of himself. Desperate to spare Astarti yet another burden, he tries to hide his crumbling control, but she has long since learned to recognize a lie. As Logan becomes a danger to himself and those around him, Astarti must find a way to help him, even if he doesn’t want it.

Unfortunately, Astarti has other problems. Good and evil wear ever-shifting faces, the right course of action grows increasingly unclear, and the stakes are only getting higher. In this final installment of The Griever’s Mark trilogy, Astarti must decide, once and for all, what she stands for–and what she is willing to sacrifice.

Want to know more about Katherine and her books:

Goodreads | Twitter | Website | Amazon AU | Amazon US

Frost by E. Latimer Launch Blog Tour

September 26, 2015July 14, 2019 / Absidity Art / 2 Comments

FIRST THINGS FIRST; I’m going hand this post over to Erin with: 5 Facts You Didn’t Know About Norse Mythology.

* * * * *

norse

Okay, okay, this is five facts that most people don’t know.

You know, I get it. Good for you, have a t-shirt made or something.

Right, now that the wiseguy is gone, let’s get started.

Thor was a red head

If you didn’t already think red heads were awesome, you should now! When most people think of Thor, they think of the hammer-swinging god as a blond man (way to go, Marvel) but the old stories suggest that Thor was actually a carrot top with a bushy beard, not the clean-shaven hunk we love so much.

The World is a Giant Frigging Tree

Okay that’s not quite accurate. The world is ON a giant frigging tree, and it’s not actually one world, its nine, all suspended on “the world tree” like giant apples. If apples were full of jotun and dwarves and dark elves and humans.

Thor dressed in Drag Occasionally

And that bushy red-headed bro probably looked fiiiiine. When a big jerk-face (the giant Pyrmy) stole Thor’s hammer and would only give it back if he got to marry Freyja, Thor took things into his own manicured hands. He dressed up in drag and pretended to be the goddess. They got hitched, and then Thor laid the smack down on the giant.

No need to sign the divorce papers!

Loki Can Swap Genders (and Species)

The gods didn’t limit themselves to the occasional drag session, they also swapped genders pretty frequently. Loki himself was both the mother AND father of several children (which included wolves, giant serpents and eight-legged stallions, but that’s another weird fact for another day) he also changed species whenever it suited his plans.

Odin Had Pet Ravens

Since Odin gave up one of his eyes for a drink (okay, it was from the well of Mimir for wisdom, so he gets a pass) he employed two ravens to fly around the world and bring him information. The ravens names were Huginn and Muninn, and Odin is occasionally referred to as “raven god” because of them.

Best nickname ever.

* * * * *

SECONDLY, feast your eyes on this Promo for Erin’s book Frost AND! Check out the giveaway.

Frost by E. Latimer

Published by Patchwork Press on August 25, 2015
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
Pages: 453
Format: Paperback, ebook
Goodreads
Synopsis:

Megan Walker’s touch has turned to ice. She can’t stop the frost, and the consequences of her first kiss are horrifying.

When her new powers attract attention, Megan finds herself caught up in an ancient war between Norse giants. One side fueled by a mad queen’s obsession and an ancient prophecy about Ragnarök, the other by an age-old grudge. Both sides believe Megan to be something she’s not. Both sides will stop at nothing to have her.

Fire or frost. It’s an impossible decision, but she’ll have to act soon, because the storm is coming.

Today we are celebrating E. Latimer’s debut novel, Frost, a young adult fantasy based on Norse Mythology about a teen who accidentally freezes the first boy she kisses. It’s not long until she discovers her family tree is a little…weirder than expected.

For original fans of Frost (which was originally uploaded on Wattpad), you’ll see some of your favorite characters and moments in an entirely new light! Make sure to add Frost to your “to read” on GoodReads.

You can purchase your copy of Frost from:

While you’re at it, be sure to enter the #FrostLaunch giveaway for a chance to win a paperback copy, ebook copy, Amazon gift card, or a swag goodie bag!

HOW AWESOME IS THAT FOR A GIVEAWAY? >> Rafflecopter Giveaway <<
//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

About E. Latimer

Erin Latimer is a Young Adult Fantasy writer who currently resides in Vancouver, BC. She writes books, makes silly vlogs about writing with the YA Word nerds, and reads excessively. She has had an article featured in Chicken Soup For the Soul, and another in the Dear Teen Me online anthology. But mostly she writes about murderous queens and the magical teens who fight them.

Website • Blog • Twitter • Wattpad • Goodreads

In this story we get average seventeen year old Megan finding out she’s not so average, escaping from an attempted kidnapping, finding a parallel dimension with a kingdom of somewhat hostile ice giants (jotuns) and their villainous queen. Not to mention kissing a cute fire jotun, surviving an assassination attempt and finding true friendship.

The opening of the story sucked me in and the ending finished strong. The story is fast paced, action packed and easy to follow. The good guys are easily likable and the bad guys are horrendous and detestable, just the way it should be. I found I had more of an affinity towards the fire jotun, Loki then towards any of the Ice jotun’s or human half breads, but I can see the main character Megan developing into a strong female heroine as the series progresses.

While all up the story didn’t blow me away, it was a fast and fun read which has me looking forward to seeing what happens in book number two.

Coming Soon Pledged by Louise G. White

September 18, 2015July 14, 2019 / Absidity Art / 2 Comments

I’m super excited about this release as I really liked the first two books in the series.

The deal was simple: Carolyn and her friends could return home after 21 days. What could happen in 3 short weeks?

Rather a lot: Carolyn’s mother is livid about her “rescue” and Edward is being groomed for a chiefdom he doesn’t want. The Agency’s “elixir of life” has been perfected, and O.W.E. permits mean that certain humans have been authorised to work in the demon realms.

Pledged will be available for purchase from Amazon on the 22nd of October.

While we’re waiting lets take a look back.

The Calling: On the run and hiding from ‘the suits’, Carolyn’s life is far from straightforward. After her mother and brother go missing in a most extraordinary way, (through a hole to another world which appears in the kitchen wall!), she is determined to track them down and bring them home. But life is never that easy! Rescued and protected by a group of unusual and like minded ‘people’, Carolyn hones her magic and fighting skills. Whilst answering a ‘call’ to retrieve a human from another world she’s faced with a quick decision and ends up bringing a demon back with her. Little did she know what effect this demon would have on her. As each day passes her strengths grow and her magic develops to assist her in her quest to track down her family, but there are decisions to make that will affect the rest of her life. GOODREADS

Chasing the Demon: The system has been changing; the Agency flaunts its cruel practices, and the balance of the realms has been disrupted. Ethan’s enforcers are already stretched to the limits, and things get worse when alliances are forged between the worst of the demon realms. Meanwhile, on Empustat, Carolyn has spent an entire year being “reconditioned” – her memories being wiped and replaced in order to produce a limited and vapid princess. Under the constraints of the Chief, she is no longer the feared and mythical “destroyer” Carolyn’s life of privilege is marred only by the expectations held for her to marry Peter and produce heirs for the realm. Her friend, Mario, in contrast, has suffered hardship and humiliation at the hands of the Lilim guard – and a chance encounter will spur Carolyn’s awakening. The disabled gateway has frustrated the team’s efforts to reach Carolyn, and Ethan and Note can barely tolerate each other, but both mage and demon share the same goals. Hope by way of an unexpected source leads to the team embarking on a plan so daring that their survival hangs in the balance. With old and new friends from the realms, the fight for order continues. GOODREADS

My Review of #1 The Calling and #2 Chasing the Demon.

Thanks to the lovely Louise as her book The Calling was one of the first books I was actually given to read and review :-). I must admit looking at these two review posts from last year – I make my reviews much prettier these days :-).

My review of Pledged COMING SOON 🙂

COVER REVEAL The Last King by Millicent Nankivell

April 16, 2015July 14, 2019 / Absidity Art / Leave a comment

Series: Anastasia Avignon #1

COVER REVEAL

Title: The Last King

Author: Millicent Nankivell

Genre: Fantasy

Cover Design: Jemina Venter at #BookNerdFanGirl

Release Date: Late 2015

Anastasia Avignon has always known she was a witch.

It’s only now that mysterious shadows have begun chasing her that things have started getting weird. Yes, weird even for a witch.

For the sake of her safety, Anastasia has been taken to the Blackthorne Estate, run by Lady Mirabelle Brackens, a friend of her mother’s who she’s never heard of before. There, she meets Warren Brackens and Dara Robbins.

But there’s something curious about them. They seem to have access to more power than is normal for any witch…and she’s burning to find out why.

When Anastasia begins displaying unnatural powers of her own, it only fuels her desire to find out more. As a long forgotten curse is revealed, Anastasia finds herself in a tangled web of whispers from the past.

Like many other events in history, fear and shame have concealed the truth behind the fate of the last royal family. So why is it that now, centuries after their defeat, Anastasia is seeing their history everywhere? Why has she suddenly become the target of the one who destroyed them all those years ago?

Anastasia is convinced that Warren and Dara have the answers to her questions, but is the price of their knowledge worth paying?

Now she is being hunted, Anastasia must learn to trust in her own abilities and follow her instincts. But is Anastasia on a path predestined for her, or does she have the power to shape her own?

Most days, Millicent Nankivell believes she is a unicorn. Please don’t ever shatter her illusion.

As far back as she can remember, she has been creating stories that usually involved magic, mythical beasts, and creatures of her own invention. Not much has changed over the years. Well, except for also becoming a hopeless romantic as she got older.

If Millicent isn’t curled up in a dark corner with her laptop, sketch book, or reading a novel, you’ll probably find her out roaming local parks and gardens with her camera. She lives in Melbourne, Australia, and will argue that it is the best Australian city until she’s blue in the face!

Author’s Links mk3

Blog http://www.millicentnankivell.com/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/millicentnankivelldotcom

Twitter https://twitter.com/millienankivell

Google+ https://plus.google.com/+MillicentNankivelldotcom/posts

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13766624.Millicent_Nankivell

Newsletter http://eepurl.com/bf5npn

Ice Kissed by Amanda Hocking

March 25, 2015July 14, 2019 / Absidity Art / Leave a comment

Ice Kissed (Kanin Chronicles #2) by Amanda Hocking

Publish Date: May 5^th 2015

A big thank you to Net Galley, Amanda Hocking and her publishers for allowing me the opportunity to read and review Ice Kissed.

In the majestic halls of a crystal palace lies a secret that could destroy an entire kingdom…

Bryn Aven refuses to give up on her dream of serving the kingdom she loves. It’s a dream that brings her to a whole new realm…the glittering palace of the Skojare.

The Skojare people need protection from the same brutal enemy that’s been threatening the Kanin, and Bryn is there to help. Being half Skojare herself, it’s also a chance for her to learn more about her lost heritage. Her boss Ridley Dresden is overseeing the mission, but as their undeniable attraction heats up, their relationship is about to reach a whole new level—one neither of them is prepared for.

As they delve deeper into the Skojare world, they begin to unravel a long-hidden secret. The dark truth about her own beloved Kanin kingdom is about to come to light, and it’ll change her place in it forever…and threaten everyone she loves.

I liked the synopsis of this book and requested to read and review it without realising it was the second book in a trilogy. OOPS!! But I read it anyway. I kinda wish I’d read the first book Frostfire first. I really enjoyed Ice Kissed anyway. I grew to love the characters, but I assume I would have already loved them if I’d read Frostfire first. And more than likely the big moment at the end would have meant more. I didn’t understand the depth of the ending of Ice Kissed until reading the synopsis of the first book while doing up this review post and I had an “Oh Snap!” moment.

A lot of the books I’ve been reading lately have been third person. It was so refreshing to step into a first person story via Bryn. I find first person to be so much more emotional and personal, I know it doesn’t work with every story – but it works wonders with this one.

The story starts with Bryn recapping a failed mission with Ridley and beating herself up over the failure. From the beginning scene of Bryn riding on horseback through the snow along high city walls, I was thinking “yeah I love medieval times, bring on some epic king Arthur settings and battles”. Then the words drove and SUV popped up and I was like “um, what, where the hell am I!”

Magic: After reading further on I was able to figure it all out: this is a story of trolls. I saw them in my head as human, oops. It is set in current times. The human world still exists, just as it is and the Trolls use a lot of our modern technology, hence the Range Rover they were driving in. I’m sure in the first book the whole world would have been built and I’d have already known this. We don’t see this Troll world thanks to magical Troll enchantments. Amanda Hocking really has beautifully blended our modern world with that of a Troll world secretly going on under our noses.

Romance: Bryn and Ridley have a forbidden romance thing going on. Ah it’s always sweeter when it’s forbidden. It’s always more exciting – well that’s my opinion.

At the 34% there is a sex scene which I wasn’t expecting, it’s not over the top or porno feeling. Stress less people. But it did make me realise I had no idea how old the characters were supposed to be. Also my brain went “Troll Sex, Um, well Trolls are humanoid, yes, yes, I’m imagining this correctly”. And really they are very human these trolls, they just live in secret from humans and have magical abilities. I’d been imagining Bryn as about 17-ish, but she may have been older, I really don’t know. She started working at twelve and after that I found it hard to figure out her time line.

Action: After the 34% mark the books takes off at light speed with Bryn leaving Ridley and her home with the Kanin to help the Skojare. At this point I delved into a fast flowing world of danger and mystery and Bryn fighting for what she feels is right. And I loved it. And I’m devastated that I have to wait until August to read the next book and see how things turn out. And I’m not going to tell you anymore about it or I’ll give away all the twisty turny awesomeness.

I really enjoyed being in Bryn’s head, I found her really engaging and her life captivated me. FIVE STARS.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3486415.Amanda_Hocking

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Website: www.worldofamandahocking.com

Incite by Erica Crouch

March 15, 2015July 14, 2019 / Absidity Art / 6 Comments

Incite (Ignite #2) by Erica Crouch

Earth is in ruins, and the war of Heaven and Hell has spilled over into the mortal world. In the frozen wasteland of the apocalypse, Azael and his band of cohorts search for Pen and Michael with orders to kill. Little does he know that his sister has incited a rebel army of her own.

Angels and demons alike stand side by side, ready and willing to fight for a future they didn’t realize they could have. Change doesn’t come easy, though. Pen is wary of joining New Genesis’s revolution, but when Azael shows his hand and Pen learns all that he holds over them, she chooses to fight back, no matter the risk. She only has to survive, one hour at a time.

“Strength does not come from remaining untouched and unaffected. It comes from picking yourself up again and again, no matter how many times you’re thrown to the ground and shattered.” Micheal – I loved this quote in the book.

I didn’t enjoy this book as much as the first. I was apprehensive going into it thinking that I was going to hate reading from Azael’s perspective, but I did enjoy it.

Nothing is accomplished in this book and we are left with a rather large cliffhanger. It’s really just a bridge from a good first book to what feels like it will be an epic finally (hopefully in the third book).

There is a lot of running/flying away from danger, which does lead to a fast paced story. We meet New Genesis a group of Angels and Demons banded together by the same beliefs that we saw bring Pen and Micheal together in the first book.

It was well worth the read and I am looking forward to the next installment, until then I’ll keep my fingers crossed that Pen’s heart will beat again :-).