Weekend Reads: EmberHawk by Jamie Foley

Oh. My. Goodness, y'all! I'm so excited to share my pick for this installment of Weekend Reads that I've tossed out my "professional" tone for the introduction and gone into full-on, unfiltered "me" voice! I honestly could not wait to review this book, and I kept worrying that someone would get to it before I could. For real, though!

That being said, I am beyond thrilled to introduce you to Jamie Foley's new book, EmberHawk (Book One in the Katrosi Revolution Series). Known for The Sentinel Trilogy, her YA dystopian series, Jamie breaks new ground in the fantasy world with EmberHawk and it's already scheduled sequel, SilverBlood. One of the things I loved about EmberHawk was the rogue-ish fox character of Felix, not to mention its gorgeous cover... but I'm rambling in my excitement. Without further ado... I present to you the review:

War is threatening in the Malano Empire. Conflicts between ranchers on the border and outlying tribes are increasing, causing hostilities to flare even as drought scorches the land.

With her father and older brother away preparing for war, Kira must help her ailing mother, her grandmother, and her younger brother maintain their family's ranch, but the drought has made resources scarce. Desperate to find a cure for her mother's mysterious illness, Kira supplements her family's resources by trapping animals in the wilderness across the border. Her family is barely holding on, but they're making it.

Until Kira accidentally shoots a tribal scout with an arrow.

He shouldn't have been on her ranch in the first place. Even so, if Kira doesn't make things right, this incident could spark a war that no one wants.

Set in a world where elementals roam the land and are worshiped as gods, is a fantasy unlike any other. The story world is a unique blend of ancient Eastern an American frontier that blends the two in a unique way, presenting a fresh take on fantasy culture.

EmberHawk is a tightly-woven story peopled with quirky, enduring characters that readers can relate to. The fast-paced plot drew me in and kept me engaged without sacrificing character development, and I thoroughly enjoyed the magic system and world building. The details dropped throughout this story like clues also hint at a richly-developed sequel that I can't wait to read.

I hope you pick up a copy of EmberHawk and that you enjoy it as much as I did. If you do, I'd love to hear what you think of it. Let me know below.

Ready Player One (Julie)

Reading the book, Ready Player One, was unplanned but turned out to provide an interesting, thought-provoking read. It's not the sort of thing I usually go for, much preferring epic fantasy, and it did have more language than I like, but I was drawn into the novel by the lure of the mystery game.

Before I go into my thoughts, here's the synopsis from Amazon:
A world at stake. A quest for the ultimate prize. Are you ready?

In the year 2045, reality is an ugly place. The only time Wade Watts really feels alive is when he’s jacked into the OASIS, a vast virtual world where most of humanity spends their days.

When the eccentric creator of the OASIS dies, he leaves behind a series of fiendish puzzles, based on his obsession with the pop culture of decades past. Whoever is first to solve them will inherit his vast fortune—and control of the OASIS itself. 

Then Wade cracks the first clue. Suddenly he’s beset by rivals who’ll kill to take this prize. The race is on—and the only way to survive is to win.

First of all, one thing really surprised me as a reader. I like action in my stories, as I'm sure most of you do. And I mean a lot of action, fairly frequently. It's easy to get bogged down with just the so-called "humdrum" parts of a story, especially in fantasy/sci-fi fiction. So I was really surprised that I stayed interested in this story as I felt that there wasn't as much action as I would normally would want. And that's because the author, Ernest Cline, does a great job with the world and character building, and with his incredible knowledge of 80s pop culture. I mean wow! Granted, I was born in the 80s, so my 5 year old self didn't really get much out of that decade meaning I didn't catch all the many references.

The whole story plot revolves around a world that has/is falling apart and the one escape for just about everyone, even the poor, is virtual reality. Since things have gotten so bad in the real world, most everyone has turned to the OASIS, to escape their problems. Which then leads to the idea of escapism. If we escape our problems how do those problems get fixed? 

Now in the book, the world's problems don't get fixed at the end. I mean(spoiler alert), the ending is good guy wins, so it has a "happy" ending. But the problems aren't fixed. I believe I saw that the author was considering or in the process of writing book two, so maybe that's where we see some of the fixing.

Gaming is such a big deal in today's time. As a teacher, I constantly hear about how much my students play their games and how a large part of their conversations reveal around games, etc... I see what goes on. So it's scary to read about the earth addicted to video games. You even see in the story how it changes people's behaviors-they even have a term for the young people who shut themselves off from the world and only live in the OASIS. They are dependent on their families to provide them with food because they don't work. 

But enough of that; here are my final thoughts:
-I'd like to warn upfront that it does have quite a bit of language and the main character is 18 so some adult themes. 
- if you are into video games, it's a must read
-if you are looking for something to help spur your creativity, check it out
-the book's way better than the movie

The End of the Magi (Lizzie)

I love finding an author I like enough to read everything they write. For me, epic fantasy writer Patrick Carr is one of those authors, so of course I was excited about his latest release, The End of the Magi. (I am also excited about his upcoming interview on the blog next month, so stay tuned for that.) I finished the book in a few days and here are my thoughts on it.

The End of the Magi by Patrick Carr

In short, if you’re interested in the magi, the “three wise men” or “the three king of orient,” or just love a good historical adventure, then this book is for you. It’s different from Carr’s other books in that it is not a fantasy but is Biblical fiction and it is a stand alone book instead of a series, but it retains his great characters and writing and general feel.

But for more specifics, here you go. Myrad is a young crippled Persian man adopted by a Hebrew magus (magi were advisors to kings) for a Parthian king two years prior. His father is one of the secret group of magi formed hundreds of years prior by the prophet Daniel to keep a calendar telling when the promised Messiah would come. When many of the magi get on the wrong side of the concubine determined to be queen, Myrad’s father is killed and Myrad is forced to flee, taking the calendar with him, along with some other documents that make him the focus of a very determined hunt. Unfortunately, a man with a club foot is easily spotted. Myrad takes refuge in a trade merchant’s caravan. As you might guess, he eventually joins up with other magi who keep the calendar and follows the star to visit Christ. It’s not an easy job and the story doesn’t end there, but returns to Jerusalem years later when Jesus is crucified. 

Myrad is a likable hero, one who had to struggle physically more than most heroes, which adds interest to him. I liked the other main characters as well, especially Walagash, the merchant, and his child Roshan. I won’t make any spoilers about the romance, but I like the girl, a very strong and talented young woman. As with any historical novel, I appreciate the way it helps me wrap my mind around the real people and places and cultures it depicts. Even though I have to separate some fiction from fact, I learn more this way often than through plain history. I can do my own research now and learn faster for the fictional introduction to the world. The explanation of the meanings behind the gifts the magi bring made them much more understandable--Jesus is prophet, priest, and king, and the gifts represent that. I knew many Hebrews of the time expected a Messiah to defeat the Romans and that some hated Jesus when it became obvious he wasn’t that kind of deliverer. Carr wove that perspective and others into the different characters for a fascinating look at what different people expected of Jesus and how they responded to him, weaving in scriptures that pointed to Jesus’s true purpose and how he fulfilled seemingly contradictory prophecies.

The End of the Magi is a great adventure story and one that broadened my understanding on the world in Jesus’s day. Definitely recommended.

Have you ever wondered about the magi? How do feel about authors writing in multiple genres? 

What We're Reading: Sand and Storm (Lauricia)

I am a huge fan of epic high fantasy. If I can't find anything in that venue when I begin a new a book, I opt for more traditional stuff. It's not that I'm intentionally snobbish - I don't intend to turn my nose up at contemporary fantasy sub-genres like mashups and retellings, I just don't experience the same rush from them that I do from hard-core fantasy. (Please don't throw that fruit at me; why not make it into a nice salad, instead?) That being said, I'm not so much of a genre-snob that I won't read anything else. Every once in a while I step out of my high-elf epic story preference and read something different. Quite often, in fact, and I'm usually glad I did.

One example of such a delightful foray is the novel Sand and Storm, by Stella Dorthwany. This gem of a novel is a unique approach to period romance/fantasy mash-up that is as delightful as the cover is beautiful, and I am happy to have come across it.

Cora Demesthelyn is bound in a political marriage. She wouldn’t mind so much if only her new husband would at least try to be genial, but when their honeymoon is cancelled so he can attend to a dire situation at his job site, Cora’s hopes for even a shred of civility between her and her husband blow away like sand in the wind.

Faryn Montphish is an intern at an archaeological dig where she finds more than she bargained for. Her tender heart has always burned with compassion for animals in need, which often leads to confrontations with potentially deadly results. When an animal rescue plan lands Faryn in a job as assistant to Professor Valerian, known as the “Heart Breaker of the Year”, Faryn falls in love with more than the native wildlife.

Allied in a secret plan to preserve the magic of their world, Shaun and Damorin have labored for years to find the pieces of an ancient artifact necessary for their success. The women in their lives are necessary distractions, means to an end until the men discover their scheme to save the world can’t succeed without them.

Sand and Storm is a clean fantasy romance reminiscent of the Indiana Jones movies. This plot-driven story packed with action that leaves readers consuming pages at break-neck speed without sacrificing a satisfying amount of character development. I especially enjoyed this story for its relatable characters and original take on an element-based magic system. This story will especially appeal to fans of fantasy in the romantic adventure sub-genre.

I cannot recommend this story enough. It is well-written, the characters are endearing, and the plot elements are organic as well as believable. If you haven't read this book yet, you want to. Go. Do it now. You'll thank me.

What about you? What is your fantasy sub-genre of preference, and what gems have you found when you've ventured beyond your own well-beaten path? I'd love to hear about it in the comments below.

Review of The Piper's Pursuit (Katie)

Review of Melanie Dickerson's The Piper's Pursuit

What We're Reading (Katie)

Aren't books the best? They can pick you up when you're down, welcome you home when you've been away, or take you away when you've been in one place too long. I've been reading a bunch of great books over the last six weeks, and today I'm telling you about The Piper's Pursuit by Melanie Dickerson.

A plague of rats. Children going missing. A giant beast attacking just outside the walls of Hamlin.  And one young woman determined to save her town.

Katerina’s stepfather, Hennek, is neither a good father nor a good husband, but he is the mayor of Hamlin. Could he somehow be causing the misfortunes that have befallen her beloved town? The evidence points to a beast of unusual size—a wolf, perhaps, or a large dog—killing people who venture too far from town. But does that explain the disappearance of so many children, many of whom seem to have gone missing from inside the town walls?

Steffan knows he must reconcile with his father, the Duke of Hagenheim, but he’s not sure he’s ready. In the meantime, he roams from town to town seeking adventure and reward. When he hears of a giant beast terrorizing the town of Hamlin and an equally giant reward that includes gold, money, and the mayor’s daughter in marriage, he heads to Hamlin. Steffan plans to kill the beast, rid the town of its rat infestation, and take the reward—everything except the girl in marriage. However, when he meets Katerina, he’s not so sure. Perhaps his plans need changing.

Katerina is hunting the Beast of Hamlin for herself, determined to win liberation from her conniving and controlling stepfather. When she finds one of the children who has been missing for many months, dirty and wandering around the woods, the mystery only seems to deepen. Katerina will have to team up with Steffan, the handsome but brash duke’s son who infuriates her—he’s the only one in town who isn’t controlled by the mayor. Danger dogs them from both man and beast. Can Katerina and Steffan stop the “Pied Piper” from stealing every last child from Hamlin? Or will their interference create an even worse fate? 

I've been reading and enjoying Melanie's books for several years now, and while there are some books I've liked more than others I was thrilled with The Piper's Pursuit. I thought I'd give you a few of my favorite parts.

* Katerina's raw emotion throughout the story

* The "realness" of the antagonist (aka the bad guy)

* Steffan's gentle yet strong presence

* The orphans (love kids involved in the story like this!)

* And, as always in Melanie Dickerson's stories, the great adventure and action throughout the story

If you want to learn more about The Piper's Pursuit you can check it out here on Goodreads. It will be available for the general public in December. However, I was given an advanced copy by the publisher. All thoughts are entirely my own.

Review of Christmas Fiction Off the Beaten Path (Laurie)

Is anyone else in shock we've reached mid-October already?? Despite the fact that we got a little snow here in Minnesota over the weekend (yikes!), I'm not ready to start thinking about Christmas quite yet. However, I have a new short story that recently released in a Christmas anthology! I was thrilled to find a home for "Return to Callidora" in Christmas Fiction Off the Beaten Path, and even more excited when I read the other stories in the anthology because they're fantastic! This is one of those story collections that has something for everyone with a variety of writing styles and genres - the uniting factor is that each is a Christmas story that goes beyond the typical, Hallmark-type norm. I enjoyed every one, and now I get to share them with you!

Mary, Did You Know? by Patricia Meredith

This sweet story, inspired by the famous Christmas song, imagines life leading up to and beyond the nativity from Mary's perspective. I loved the way the author worked in some quiet moments with Jesus as a baby that any parent can appreciate. Definitely a touching way to start off the Christmas season and get a new perspective on Jesus's early family life.


Those Who Stayed by Ronnell Kay Gibson

Wow, this read was intense, but so well done! A gunman terrorizes a store full of Christmas shoppers with an emotionally-packed, unexpected outcome. I'm not usually a fan of suspense, but this story really drew me in with a sympathetic protagonist and powerful message. I found it thought-provoking in a way that really made me question the way I view others and the strength of my faith.


A Rose from the Ashes by J.P.C. Allen

I wasn't really sure what to expect from this story, but I loved how it came together! A young woman sets into motion a plan to reveal the man who tried to kill her mother. The way the mystery unraveled kept me on the edge of my seat, and I really enjoyed getting to know the characters. Best of all, it had an ending that totally put a grin on my face :)


Not this Year by Sandra Merville Hart

"Not this Year" tells the all-too-relatable story of a man who must reluctantly tell his family they won't be buying Christmas presents this year due to the financial constraints of pay cuts at work. This was probably the most quintessential Christmas story of the anthology, with a beautiful illustration of the power of a family's love and the true meaning of the holiday.


Return to Callidora by Laurie Lucking (me!!)

A princess in a dragon-guarded tower awaits her rescuer. But things get complicated when the servant who brings the princess's yearly Christmas deliveries reveals his feelings for her, and the knight who slays the dragon seems to be hiding a secret. Not the typical makings of a Christmas story, perhaps, but I completely fell in love with these characters as I wrote and I hope you do, too!


Crystal Christmas by Michelle L. Levigne

I'll admit I had a little trouble following the details of this story since it's a part of the author's larger Guardians of the Time Stream series. That being said, the fun characters and cool fantasy / steampunk setting made me eager to go read her other books! The sweet romance, joyful sense of community, and happy ending made it a great way to wrap up the anthology.



So there you have it! If you're interested, you can find Christmas Fiction Off the Beaten Path on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Do you have any Christmas anthology recommendations? What Christmas stories are you looking forward to this year?


Thanks for reading!
Laurie

Stranger Things (Julie)

Okay, so this post is not about the show (sorry for you fans out there). This post is actually about Margaret Peterson Haddix's book Greystone Secrets: The Strangers. There are some pretty strange things that happen in the story, admittedly some unexpected things.

Here's the synopsis:

Siblings Chess, Emma, and Finn and their widowed mother are very close. They are always there for each other until one strange day a news report turns their world inside out. Three kids, who look exactly like Chess, Emma, and Finn, are reported kidnapped. Even stranger than having their doppelgangers kidnapped, they also share the same exact birthdays and names.

The sibling's mom suddenly leaves on a "work" trip that ends up not really being a work trip. As in many kids's fantasy stories, the kids have to rescue the parent and save the day, or try anyway.

What makes this story different:

Haddix switches from all three sibling's voices. So you have the story being told from a 6th grader's, a 4th grader's, and a 2nd grader's perspective. It's very interesting to read the story from Finn's POV because he is the youngest. How he deals with his mom's disappearance, how he deals with danger, and with new knowledge. Sometimes I felt that he was a bit too babyish for a 2nd grader, but then again, what do I know of an 8 year-old's mind?

Chess, the oldest, isn't very brave. Which I found unusual for the older boy character. Even Emma,a the middle child has moments of freaking out (which would be more real life). It's Finn, the youngest who tends to be the braver one-because he wants to show his siblings that he can handle things.

As with most Haddix's books, there's fantasy/sci-fi involved that includes a dystopian type society. Only this time she builds in alternate worlds.

Cons: 

I felt that the ending was abrupt, although I know this is book one. I wished she would have fleshed out the ending a bit more as there were questions I would have liked answered in this book to help understand things a bit better.


Overall, I enjoyed the book and would read the second one.

Top Three New to Me Books (Lauricia)

I was recently invited to be a book reviewer for a book website called ReedsyDiscovery. I had never heard of this website before, but now that I’m occasionally reviewing books for them, I have found some new-to-me authors that I’m pretty impressed with. The top three stories I’ve read so far are:

The Star of Fate by David T. Myers

Lando Bailey is having a bad day.

He’s having a string of bad days, actually – six months of them. All he wants is a chance to turn his life around, to change his fate.

Which is exactly what he gets after witnessing the death of a girl he’s never seen before. This single event sparks an action that alters the course of Lando’s life forever. His sudden change in fortune would be a dream come true if it didn’t feel like a practical joke. When people start dying, however, Lando realizes that his reversal of fortune is a joke to no one except, maybe, the Fates, themselves. Even so, Lando is determined to be the master of his destiny – if he can only wrestle it from the hands of the Moirai and the cult that serves them.

Set in Melbourne, Australia, The Star of Fate is an urban fantasy thriller filled with ancient Greek goddesses, demigods, shamans, and shadowhounds. The equivalent of Percy Jackson for adult readers, this fast-paced story draws readers in with its constant action and leaves no chance to walk away until the end. There is some mild adult content, but it is minimal.

I enjoyed this novel immensely – so much so that I will look for more from this author – and I recommend this story highly.

Raven Thrall (Legends of the Ceo San #1) by J. Elizabeth Vincent

Mariah is Ceo San, touched by the gods and gifted with the ability to shape-shift into a hawk. It’s supposed to be a blessing, but for Mariah, it feels more like a curse. Stuck somewhere between Human and animal form, Mariah must hide the wings that betray her identity or else she will be conscripted into the king’s army, enslaved to live as nothing more than a weapon.

Betrayed by someone she thought she could trust, Mariah is forced to flee her home. She manages to create a life of safety, even if it does mean being alone, until she meets Xae, a raven shifter whose family has been captured. Mariah is forced to choose between her life of relative safety or helping Xae rescue his family. In the process she learns more about herself than she ever thought possible and receives a calling on her life that could change the fate of the Ceo San forever.

Raven Thrall is an epic fantasy novel that examines the impact one person can make. Mariah’s conflicts do not influence her world on a grand scale, but they represent the common battles each of us face on a regular basis. Mariah’s growth throughout the story is organic and realistic and speaks to the way each person’s life can make a difference. This book will be especially appealing to readers who like strong female characters with strengths that lie outside the realm of mastery in weapons.

The Magician’s Sin by Alexander Thomas

Anson Walker is a retired-wizard-turned-monster-hunter who can’t die.

It’s a curse, really. One that can only be reversed during the Aberration, a magic event that occurs once every seventy years. Exhausted by the centuries and jaded with life, Anson plans to take advantage of the upcoming Aberration and end his unnatural existence.

Until the disappearance of Dixie Dupree, Anson’s ex-wife. When Dixie’s daughter recruits him to find her mother, Anson can’t turn her away. And as he searches for his former love, he discovers that he’s not quite as ready to die as he thought.

The Magician’s Sin is a fantasy noir novel that combines the elements of a gumshoe detective story with splashes of superhero, classical mythology, and occult motifs. The story is well written, and the pacing and tension are nicely balanced. I enjoyed the story and recommend it to fans of the genre. The only reason I gave it three stars instead of four is because the copy I read contained frequent typographical errors.

As a hard-core fan of fantasy literature, I’m always on the look-out for a new, really great book, so I’d love to hear what you’ve come across. Who are some of your favorite new-to-you authors?

Review of Adrift (Lizzie)

Adrift by J. F. Rogers is the sequel to Astray (reviewed here) and is the second story in the Ariboslia trilogy.

Here's the blurb:

The long-awaited day has come, Fallon’s eighteenth birthday. Her chance to return to Ariboslia and aid her friends in the battle against vampire-like creatures—the fasgadair. This time, she knows what she’s up against. This time, she’s prepared.
Or is she?

Unlike last time, Fallon knows who her friends are. She knows her enemy. She knows her abilities and what her blood can do—redeem fasgadair. But how can she save a few when thousands want to destroy her?

Shortly after Fallon’s return, fasgadair overrun the last refuge and push survivors across the sea to a land from which none has ever returned. There they meet a hostile race. With enemies squeezing in on all sides, even infiltrating Fallon’s mind, she struggles to continue her quest. But if she fails to find her way back, the fasgadair will rule Ariboslia with no hope of redemption … and Fallon and her friends will die.

My thoughts: I loved the characters in book 1 and found the worldbuilding interesting. Unfortunately, the secondary characters I loved in book 1 were little more than cameos in book 2 (including her newly found mother). And including the love interest from book 1. The story line itself wasn't what I was expecting from the first book. The victory in the first book was seemingly worse than pointless, because when Fallon is allowed to return to Ariboslia a year later (beginning of book 2), a far worse enemy has been appointed to replaced the one killed in book 1. Now, the land if overrun and everyone not dead (seems like most of the world population) is fleeing.  I wasn't expecting all the death (though not graphic, you just hear about thousands dying while a small group escapes--not my cup of tea).

There's a good bit of adventure and quest-like feel to the book and I did enjoy some of the newer characters and places. But the lack of character-interaction continuity was a big disappointment. The biggest disappoint--really a MAJOR frustration to be honest--was what happened with Declan, the likable love interest from book 1. Granted, he was in an arranged engagement, but I figured that would get worked out by the series end and we'd get our happily-ever-after. [spoiler alert] Well, that's not happening because after 1 1/2 books of wishing for the happily-ever-after romantic relationship between Fallon and Declan, we learn that Declan is her brother. They're triplets. Not a fun joke on the reader. By this time a new guy has come on the scene. He's nice but we're under the impression at first that his and Fallon's attraction is all part of some  unavoidable selkie-gachen magnetism and that Declan will show back up in true form (he's been in hiding but secretly helping Fallon). I was hoping this brother thing was just soap-opera level drama made up by the cackling bad guy to distract Fallon. Nope. Declan's a brother and the "magnetism" thing is a lie.

While the writer definitely has talent and I did enjoy some aspects of this story, book 2 was not at all what I was expecting.

Fairyeater and Heartmender | What We're Reading (Lauricia)

As summer is binge-reading time, I have a stack of books I'd like to share with y'all (for those who don't speak Texan, that's you + all: y'all). Unfortunately, there are more books than there are days to read them in a lifetime. I can't share insights to everything I've recently read and loved, but I can bend the rules a little today and tell you about two (instead of my usual one): Fairyeater by Pam Halter and Heartmender by V. Romas Burton.

Fairyeater by Pam Halter

Fifteen years ago, Tzmet’s father was defeated in his attempt at world domination. Since then, Tzmet has preyed upon the earth fairies in order to weaken their power enough to facilitate her father’s return.

Akeela is a fifteen-year-old with the power to see the aura of living things and the ability to see fairies for what they are, not the disguises they wear. These things, combined with an unusual birthmark that she has to keep hidden, point to Akeela’s future as the next Fairy Guardian. Charged with the task of protecting fairies from the Dark Lord and his daughter Tzmet, Akeela must choose between living the life she wants an fulfilling the purpose for which she was born.

Charged with painful moments of beautiful sacrifice, Fairyeater is a story of facing the difficult truths of life and honoring what is right over what is comfortable, easy, or even greatly desired. I was first drawn to this book by its concept and its cover. I was impacted by this book through its unflinching but gracious treatment of some of the truths about life that contemporary readers desperately need to wrestle with. Fairyeater is an excellent story about sacrifice, love, and finding friendship in unusual places.

Heartmender by V. Romas Burton

Heartmender is the tale of Addie, a teenage girl who lives in a world where hearts are extracted before they can become hard and dead and are then traded for the bearer’s greatest wish. However, Addie’s heart is neither hard nor dead, and her greatest wish is not to be granted at the fair. In order to obtain her wish, Addie must protect her extracted heart from those who seek to possess it and must overcome a series of trials that very few survive.

I was drawn to Heartmender because of its eerie, surreal tone and the realistic but kind depiction of crippling anxiety. The more I read, the more I enjoyed this story, especially for the way it resonates with the cinematic otherworldly feel of Mirrormask and Pan’s Labyrinth. The artistry is hauntingly surreal yet truthful for its depiction of a young woman who must overcome the trials of life that blindside so many of us. An enchanting allegory, Heartmender is a story that will be greatly enjoyed by readers of clean YA fantasy.

Now that I've shared my newest discoveries with you,  I'd love to hear what you've been reading. Let me know your to favorites "so far" in the comments.

What We're Reading (Katie)

What We're Reading (Katie)

OK, so I have a confession to make. I haven't read any fantasy or sci-fi this month. I HAVE been reading though. Lots and lots of historical suspense and romance. Does that count? Anyone want to hear about those books? I have a theory as to why I love historical so much, when fantasy and Sci-Fi are my "thing." Want to hear about it?

Historical fiction is so far removed from our way of life today that it might as well be fantasy or sci-fi. 

That's the long and short of it. Hee hee! Seriously, though, I like being transported to a place I can't see or visit in "real life," and historical fiction does the job. I do love great historical fiction, and for whatever reason it is exactly what held me captive all month. Here are a few of the books I read!

The Baron's Blunder by Susan Baganz

The Virtuous Viscount by Susan Baganz

Now, these were historical romance but they were clean. There was also some suspense in there, though it wasn't a huge part of the plot. These were part of a longer series (see the series here on Goodreads!), and they're considered Regency Era, which is the early 1800's in England.

I also read:

Rebellious Heart by Jody Hedlund

The Noble Groom by Jody Hedlund

Together Forever by Jody Hedlund

The Doctor's Lady by Jody Hedlund

Some of these were romantic suspense while others were more like straight up historical romance, and they are considered clean (things do get a little steamier than I'd prefer, but still clean). Also, I liked some of them better than others. Rebellious Heart and The Noble Groom had more suspense, and I liked them better. The others were still OK, though. They were set in all different historical time periods, and all in America.

So, that's it for me. What have you been reading? Do you like historical fiction? Tell me all about it!

The Electrical Menagerie by Mollie E. Reeder (Laurie)

Remember back in May when I shared my Top 3 Man-Made Characters, with Dominic from The Electrical Menagerie at the top of my list? Here's the full review I promised!


The Electrical Menagerie by Mollie E. Reeder centers around the circus-like show of Sylvester Carthage, filled with technology, illusions, and personality. But despite the show's charm, Huxley, Carthage's business manager, announces they're running out of funds to continue their tour. An opportunity to audition to perform at the Celestial Palace seems like the perfect opportunity to get more attention for the Electrical Menagerie and raise the money they need to keep the show going. But when they arrive for the auditions, the competition is tougher than they could've imagined. Worse, someone seems out to sabotage the top performers, putting them all in danger from an unknown source. As they progress in the competition, Carthage and Huxley must not only expand their creativity and showmanship to take their spectacle to new heights, they must find the courage to put a stop to the violence before it can reach the Celestial Isles' royal family.


This book was a delightful combination of fun, humor, life lessons, and all the feels. I loved the vivid descriptions of the Electrical Menagerie and other acts, which felt a bit reminiscent of The Night Circus. Carthage and Huxley were such interesting characters to get to know as more and more was revealed about their pasts and family dynamics. And as a pair, they had so many humorous interactions due to their opposing personalities and touching moments of increased understanding. The puzzle of the mysterious "accidental" deaths surrounding the competition really kept me intrigued, and I couldn't get enough of the cool world-building, especially the electricals (yay Dominic!) and the awesome trains that ran on invisible rails between floating islands.

I was fortunate enough to receive a complimentary copy of the new audiobook version of The Electrical Menagerie, and it was fabulous! The narrator absolutely brings the story to life with tons of personality and distinctive voices for each character. I think Carthage's accent was my favorite :) His engaging portrayal kept me on the edge of my seat - sometimes nervous, sometimes laughing, occasionally tearing up... For you audiobook fans out there, this one should definitely go on your list!


I would highly recommend The Electrical Menagerie for anyone who would enjoy a fun, big top-centered adventure with dynamic characters and a new world to explore. And the best news? Mollie is releasing the second book in her Celestial Isles series soon!


Have you read any books involving a circus or other show? What cool world-building have you seen lately?


Thanks for reading!
Laurie

Keen by Laura Zimmerman (Julie)

Multicolored eyes. Banshee songs. Faeries. Teenage love. Death. All come together to make up Laura Zimmerman's new book Keen, Banshee Song Series Book One. I admit teenage books aren't normally my go-to, but it sounded interesting enough to give it a try. And I'm glad I did!

Caoine's (pronounced Cane) a half-breed who doesn't know where she belongs. Different from her
peers with her pale hair and almost albino skin, and the most strikingly odd feature...her multicolored eyes. It's not the best recipe for making friends in high school.

Being a teenager is never easy, but Caoine has slightly bigger problems than boys, or even bullies. She sings songs. Songs of death. Since the day she was born, she's been cursed as a banshee, to sing the song of death every night. But now, her curse is acting up and there just so happens to be a handsome boy at her new school.

Here's what Amazon has to say:

You must walk the darkness to find the light.

Half-faerie Caoine has no control over the banshee lament she sings each night, predicting the death of others. A senior in a brand new high school, she expects the same response she’s received at every other school: judgment from fellow students over her unusual eyes and unnaturally white skin and hair. However, when Caoine arrives at West Lincoln High, for the first time in her life she finds friends. Real friends.

But being a teenager is never easy, especially when the star soccer player, Oliver, sets his sights on her. Allowing him to get close means revealing her curse to the human world. She can’t let that happen.

Life spins further out of control when her lament comes out during the day, those whose death she predicts die right in front of her, and a dark faerie known only as the Unseelie prince blames Caoine by leaving her the creepiest notes ever. Her curse is not supposed to work like that.

In a race against time, Caoine must uncover the Unseelie prince’s identity and stop a spell before it unleashes hell on earth, all while trying to control her banshee song and finding a place among her peers.

Senior year just got real.


Don't just take mine (or Amazon's word for it) check it out for yourself!

Everard (Not-So-Fairy Tales) by Chautona Havig (Lizzie)

I'm in something of a conundrum. I've been reading wonderful books lately and have a stack of unexpected treasures waiting for me to read and absorb their creative juices (they're middle grade fantasy--probably the most creative genre out there), but the most recent books I've finished have either already been covered on this blog (like the excellent Mark of the Raven) or are inspirational historical romance (Karen Witemyer's More Than Words Can Say). So, I decided to turn to an old friend for help. We haven't talked in a while, but I remember him as being cute and sweet.

Allow me to introduce Everard,

The shy knight.

He is also very old fashioned, which leads to a lot of trouble but eventual happiness for this brave young prince. On his way home from the end of a centuries-long war, Prince Everard, in his excitement, kisses a peasant girl. This comes as a terrible shock to the young gentleman when he regains his calmness later at the palace. He feels duty bound to marry the girl, so he returns and proposes to her. She's not terribly thrilled at this unexpected request, and her father certainly isn't. I mean, who wants his daughter to marry a noble prince? The father tells Everard he can only marry his daughter if his completes several missions. Off poor Everard goes to face myriad dangers for the hand of a woman whose identity quickly becomes a pressing question--who is she really? What is her father hiding? Will Everard survive his missions to find out?

Everard (Not-So-Fairy Tales) was written by Chautona Havig, a prolific writer of Christian fiction.

Here's the official blurb:

A Prince, a friend, and a lizard walk into a trap…

Everard of Havilund—fierce warrior, brave soldier, loyal friend, heir to the throne, and painfully shy.
The war is over! Or is it? After four long years fighting in a war that has spanned a millennium, Everard is finally going home. He has faced everything he fears most—he thinks. Alas, trouble is brewing in the little hamlet of Hidden Hollow and he has only himself to blame.
Follow Everard as he tries to slay the Dragon of Ironia, face the Giant of the Tripp Mountains, bring the Enchantress of Enervatia to justice… just for starters.
Will he succeed? Will he overcome his personal demons that threaten all he is working for?
Find out in this second installment of the Not-So-Fairy Tales.


Happy summer reading!

Heartless by Marissa Meyer (What We're Reading: Lauricia)

Hello everyone and happy summer! I hope you’re indulging in copious amounts of down-time and an abundance of good books. Today, I’m blogging about Heartless by Marissa Meyer. For those of you in a hurry, today’s content can be summed up in four words:

This. book. DEVASTATED. me.

After finishing this story, it was almost a whole week before I felt recovered enough to start something new. That’s how much this story stayed with me.

Lady Catherine Pinkerton, daughter of the Marquess of Hearts, truly desires only one thing: to open the best confectioner’s shop in the whole kingdom. Her mother, however, has other plans. When Catherine’s exceptional baking skills capture the affection of the King, her mother pushes Catherine into a courtship she doesn’t want, especially since she’s falling in love with another man. Every attempt Catherine makes to avoid the King’s imminent proposal only strengthens the King’s desire, pushing Catherine to more desperate measures as she fights to master her destiny and spend her life with a man of her own choosing.

Set in the world of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, Heartless is the origin story of the Queen of Hearts. While remaining true to Carroll’s original version of Wonderland, Meyers develops a world that is richly drawn and peopled with characters so real that readers will miss them when the story ends.

I originally read this book because one of my students recommended it to me. I honestly wasn’t looking forward to it, but I try to read everything my students love enough to recommend because it gives me insight into each student’s personality. It also gives us common ground for discussion, providing a way to connect, and it exposes me to some pretty good stories I might not have picked up otherwise.

This is exactly what happened with Heartless. In this story, Meyers has created an actual, believable person to flesh out the caricature of Lewis Carroll’s Queen of Hearts. Every detail from Carroll’s stories is present and is believably incorporated. Meyer’s characters are richly drawn and believable, even the minor characters, and their motives are relatable. Moreover, Catherine’s transition from enjoyable daughter of a domineering mother to the Queen of Hearts is understandable and genuine, and her reasons for doing so are reasons any one of us might act on ourselves. The truth of Catherine’s story is what makes Heartless so powerful, believable, and ruinous.

I hope you enjoy this book. If you do, let me know what you think. Also, I'm always looking for a good read. Let me know what you're reading in the comments below.

What We're Reading (Katie)

What We’re Reading: Affinity by Dianne Wilson (Katie)

Hi everyone! I am thrilled to be a part of Lands Uncharted! I’ve been lurking here for a couple years now, and I’ve met a few of my co-bloggers in person at various writerly events. When I was asked if I’d like to join the blog, well, it was a no-brainer.

I thought I’d tell you a little about me before I jump into what I’ve been reading. A “getting to know you,” you could say!

I’m a Christian wife and mom who loves writing, reading, gardening, and traveling. Sometimes people ask about the gardening thing. I always say growing things is sort of like a super power, right? I’m currently finishing up a Bachelor’s of Religious Education, with a focus on elementary education.

When it comes to reading, I read in all genres. I love a good story! When it comes to writing, I typically prefer YA speculative genres, like fantasy or sci fi. However, I’ve also had close to a dozen nonfiction children’s books published in the educational realm, and I have two inspirational romances out in the adult world. (Grown ups. *shudder*.)

My teen books are with Pelican Book Group, and my latest novel released in May.

What I’m Reading!

Now let’s get to the good stuff! I’ve been reading a lot this month. Have you ever heard of Swagbucks? It’s an online platform that let’s you take surveys for small payments (and you can also get paid for other stuff like shopping through their app, etc.). I try to make $1 a day, and I use that money to buy…drumroll…books! It’s a great way to get all the great stories I crave.

Anywho, this month I read:

Affinity by Dianne Wilson

 Flight of the Raven by Morgan Busse

The Electrical Menagerie by Mollie Reeder

Nyssa Glass by H.L. Burke

Today I’m going to focus on Affinity by Dianne Wilson. This book was very different than I expected! The back cover blurb painted one picture, but the first two chapters of the book painted a different picture. This trend continued throughout the book, so that every time I thought I had solved the mystery and figured things out another twist would hit and I would realize I wasn’t quite so clever (hee hee!).

Eventually, I did begin to understand exactly what was going on in the story. When everything pulled together I was totally wowed. A very cool plot!

I don’t want to get into too much detail, because the mystery throughout the story is what keeps you going. Suffice it to say it’s a great read for people who really like supernatural or paranormal stories with a Christian overtone. Here’s the back cover copy from the book!

Kai was born with the ability to see brokenness and to fix it. But when a freak accident leaves him trapped in the spiritual realm, he discovers a sinister side to being gifted—much darker than he'd ever imagined. With Affinity Recruiters hunting him down, Kai has to learn how to stay alive, use his gift to save his friends, and stop the flood of evil threatening the world. Can he do it before time runs out?

***What have you been reading?! I’d love to know because I am always looking for new stories to read!***

Flight of the Raven by Morgan L. Busse (Laurie)

We're so excited to be a part of the Blog Tour celebrating the release of Flight of the Raven by Morgan L. Busse! The first book in Morgan's Ravenwood Saga has made several appearances on Lands Uncharted, including a review by Lauricia and my Top 3 New-to-Me Authors I Read in 2018. Now I get the opportunity to share my review of the second book in this powerful series, Flight of the Raven! Also, keep reading to find out more about the author, the Blog Tour, and the tour giveaway!

***My description of the plot of this book inevitably involves spoilers for Book One, so I would recommend skipping the following paragraph if you haven't read Mark of the Raven yet!***

***

In Flight of the Raven, we pick up with Selene reeling from betraying her own house and family and her unexpected marriage to Lord Damien, a man she hardly knows. Her uncertainty only grows as they enter Damien's seaside home and she faces the coldness and suspicion of his people. Now distanced from her cruel, domineering mother, Selene hopes to learn more about the origination of her dreamwalking gift and about the Light, the power worshiped by Damien and many of his people. But instead, she's increasingly plagued by nightmares and disturbed by hints that her gift may be further-reaching than she ever could have imagined. Damien's sweet, thoughtful nature and their mutual loneliness begins to draw them together as a couple, but fears of revenge from House Ravenwood and the certainty of a pending war threaten to keep their happiness at bay. Selene must be stronger than ever and face difficult, life-altering choices if she wants to find a new purpose for her talent as a dreamwalker and distance herself from her family's past once and for all.

***

Flight of the Raven satisfied everything I was hoping for coming out of Book One. I enjoyed the opportunity to get to know Selene's character outside the darkness and confines of her family secret, with a nice balance of staying true to herself while experiencing a lot of growth. And Damien! *happy sigh* I absolutely fell in love with this guy in Mark of the Raven, and he didn't disappoint me one bit in the sequel. Strong, kind, vulnerable, a gentleman through and through - let's just say, when it comes to a marriage of convenience, Selene totally struck the jackpot :) The progress in their relationship came about very naturally and really showcased the beauty of marriages in which the spouses open up to each other and do their best to work as a team. Definitely my favorite aspect of the book!

I also found it fascinating to get to know more about Selene's powers. She's already found one positive aspect of her gift, but the extent of what she can do is still shrouded in mystery so I can't wait to see where the author takes it in Book Three! It was sad but eye-opening to get to know Amara better in this book. She tugged on my heartstrings on more than one occasion, and her love for her little sister and strained relationship with her mom added a lot of context to her seemingly harsh exterior. And overall, I just relished the chance to spend more time in Busse's rich, vibrant story world, expanding to new places like Nor Esen and Lux Casta.


Now I just have to survive the wait for Book Three! You can find Flight of the Raven on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Book Depository.




If you haven't had a chance to start this series yet, here's the blurb for Book One, Mark of the Raven:

Lady Selene is the heir to the Great House of Ravenwood and the secret family gift of dreamwalking. As a dreamwalker, she can enter a person’s dreams and manipulate their greatest fears or desires. For the last hundred years, the Ravenwood women have used their gift of dreaming for hire to gather information or to assassinate.

As she discovers her family’s dark secret, Selene is torn between upholding her family’s legacy–a legacy that supports her people–or seeking the true reason behind her family’s gift.

Her dilemma comes to a head when she is tasked with assassinating the one man who can bring peace to the nations, but who will also bring about the downfall of her own house.

One path holds glory and power, and will solidify her position as Lady of Ravenwood. The other path holds shame and execution. Which will she choose? And is she willing to pay the price for the path chosen?

And here's a bit about the lovely author, Morgan L. Busse!

Morgan L. Busse is a writer by day and a mother by night. She is the author of the Follower of the Word series and the steampunk series The Soul Chronicles. She is a Christy and INSPY Award finalist and won the Carol Award in 2018 for best in Christian speculative fiction. During her spare time she enjoys playing games, taking long walks, and dreaming about her next novel.

You can connect with Morgan on her website, Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and BookBub.

Make sure to check out the other stops on the Blog Tour! You can find the full schedule here or by clicking on the image below.

I mentioned a tour giveaway, didn't I? :) Enter the Rafflecopter below for the chance to win paperback copies of Mark of the Raven and Flight of the Raven, plus a $20 Amazon giftcard for the lucky grand prize winner! The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and ends on June 7th, 2019. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Congratulations on your new release, Morgan! Have you read this series yet? What was the last sequel you read that was especially satisfying?


Thanks for reading!
Laurie