This was a good read that punched at my heart. That's a compliment. It didn't just tug. This is is the third book of the series and while I wish I'd hThis was a good read that punched at my heart. That's a compliment. It didn't just tug. This is is the third book of the series and while I wish I'd had the opportunity and the time to read the first two books, I was able to keep up without too much stumbling on my part. I didn't feel there was an overabundance of backstory. You know how I feel about that. I felt it was well done and there was just enough to keep me from falling behind.
The world building wasn't spectacularly brilliant, but it was well-penned so that I felt like I was right there with the characters. The plot was well-paced, but this wasn't a book about plot. Okay, so it was. The story wasn't pushed by acts, but by how those acts hit the heart. It was an amazing ride.
The reason for the four dragons, there were a few Bible references I just didn't get and I think that took away from the impact. It was definitely written for those who already know the Bible. Great read. Well done. ...more
I found the setting to be quite interesting and I understood what Ms. Stengl wrote. The characters were intriguing. The plot was interesting.
This bookI found the setting to be quite interesting and I understood what Ms. Stengl wrote. The characters were intriguing. The plot was interesting.
This book was a struggle for me to read. I will say that I read this book first, but it’s pretty rare for me to have an issue with a book because I read it out of order. So I sincerely don’t think that was the issue. I felt disconnected with the characters and as though the plot was bogged down. I wonder if it was the fact that there was so many POV’s. I’ve read books with multiple POV’s before. Remember when all fantasy was written in omniscient? It could also be the fact that I had to keep re-reading the first couple of chapters. I don’t know why, but not all the information on the characters would stick in my head.
It was a good adventure, just not great. The plot picked up at about the quarter mark, maybe a little after that. I never did sync with any of the characters, though, and I’m a character driven reader. So that might be why the book only gets a “good read” out of me....more
There were things I liked about this book, and things I didn’t. I LOVE this cover! It’s what hooked me in the first place. This is one of the very fewThere were things I liked about this book, and things I didn’t. I LOVE this cover! It’s what hooked me in the first place. This is one of the very few books written in present tense that didn’t piss me off because it was in present tense. I will say that Ms. Robert discovered the way to write this tense without it sounding weird and very off.
I loved the premise of the book. There aren’t an overwhelming amount of reaper novels out there, so I’m not inundated with them yet. It came off unique. The plot was fun. The world-building was good.
I liked the characters from the first page, but the further I got into the book, the more they started to upset me. Their actions were over-dramatic. Here’s an example.
“A Novice, on the other hand, learns the art of soul collection.” He pauses then says, “Now, what kind of mentor would I be if I wouldn’t grant your wish?”
My upper body hurls forwards, and I gulp for breath. He’s granting my wish?
“Hurls forward” is an over-exaggeration. Now, I realize this could be seen as nit-picking, but this is only one occurrence. I could go to almost any chapter and find another example of it. I do appreciate the fact that Ms. Robert was using non-verbals to convey emotion. That’s a great show, don’t tell trick, but it’s best to use a fine hand, a softer brush. The breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding escaped. That would have been a bit more realistic than her body hurling forward. They were talking in the middle of the football field. Just having a conversation.
The other thing that irked me was that Ms. Robert would tell other people’s emotions instead of showing them. It’s first person, which means I can’t know what another person is feeling. I can guess because I’ve been on the planet for more than a minute, but I can’t know. However, as she’s telling me the other people’s emotions, she’s also over-exaggerating. Here’s an example.
“What’s wrong, Ana?” He seems to be trying very hard to control his voice, leash the panic that is barely restraining itself where his hands grip my arms.
He saw her talking to a teacher. More than that, he saw her talking to an old teacher. So why the panic? There was an explanation that he was concerned because of the fact that the teacher “gave her a look” that showed she was important, but the information was given through her internal dialogue.
Those two things frustrated me as I read this book. It got to the point where I was skimming a lot to get past the over-reactions and drama-drama-drama. The pacing was off. I found myself drifting in a lot of places. It could have used another round of editing (structural and grammatical). Aside from over-drama, telling-not-showing, and pacing issues, there were misspelled words and missing words. I won’t say the book is a wreck. It’s not. It could be better. This book, with a little more polish, could be frelling AWESOME! The premise really is great and the author definitely has a keen eye for the intriguing....more
It took me awhile to get into the book. It started off a little too early with the love thing. I’m the kind of person/reader who needs to be eased intIt took me awhile to get into the book. It started off a little too early with the love thing. I’m the kind of person/reader who needs to be eased into the whole love thing. Yes. I know it’s a romance, but I still need to be eased into the romance, the love. It seemed like it went a little too fast for me.
However, this wasn’t a book about falling in love. This was a story about fighting for the right to be in love with the person the heart chooses.
The heart of the story really isn’t that unique. It’s about society being short sighted and shallow. It’s odd to me. As many stories as there is out there about this very issue, and with as many people who say that being racist and a prude is bad, *shrug* we still have a vast majority of people, a society, who still treat others poorly based off of what they are, instead of who.
Once we got to the plot, which happened very quickly, the book took off! It was hard to put the book down! It was a great read and a fantastic trip. So should you read it? YES!...more
This was such a quirky fun read!! Maven is a great character! I love the fact that she’s middle aged and still knows how to get into trouble! I laugheThis was such a quirky fun read!! Maven is a great character! I love the fact that she’s middle aged and still knows how to get into trouble! I laughed so HARD while reading this book!
The characterization was really well done. The description, voice, just everything. Maven literally just comes off the pages as a living, breathing matron of witty, think-outside-of-the-box proportions!
The plot is quite good as well! The situations that Maven is put through! OMW! I just couldn’t stop laughing. She’s the godmother most princesses would hope not to get, but I will say that most of the characters that came to her for wishes, got what they really wanted, which wasn’t what they asked for!
If you need a laugh-out-loud read, pick up this one! GREAT book!...more
This book is unlike any I’ve read before. I literally read this book thinking, “Wow!! This is something new!” Now, granted, there were similarities toThis book is unlike any I’ve read before. I literally read this book thinking, “Wow!! This is something new!” Now, granted, there were similarities to other novels, great ones too, like The Chronicles of Narnia. But it was a really fun, original plot!
The characters were pretty easy to get into. I say pretty easy because the one thing I didn’t like was some of the dialogue. It was sticky, jerky, didn’t read well. And everyone kept saying each other’s names. I think Mr. Dadich did that so he didn’t need dialogue tags, especially in areas where the people talking weren’t visible. I found it distracting.
However, the action just ROCKED! The plot really carried this book! It was phenomenal! Man! This book…it was so great to pick it up and read it. I seriously needed something just different!
This book started out slow, but I’ve noticed that a lot of my reviews say the same thing. What am I expecting as a reader? That the author just jump hThis book started out slow, but I’ve noticed that a lot of my reviews say the same thing. What am I expecting as a reader? That the author just jump head first into the story? That we miss all the important information on how we got there? I have no idea!
Once we get to the second chapter, though, the story really just TAKES OFF!
There are so many little subplots/subnotes in this story. I know several readers find that distracting, my mind finds it fascinating! I loved all the digs, and jabs, and subtle things that Mr. Evans put into this story that made it whole. The civilization felt complete and real. There was thought applied to the histories and the setting. Now, granted, it was a little Harry Potter-ish, but just a little. I think that was used as a basis for the world building efforts and you could see the outlines. However, the finish was brilliant. At least in mind, it was!
I loved the characters! I loved the setting! I loved the plot! I loved all the little nuances in the narrative! I even loved the simplistic writing style. I, literally, could not put this book down! Well, after chapter 2. Chapter 1 was a bit…sticky and disjointed.
Should you read this book? For fracks’ sake YES!!! Just don’t judge the story by the first chapter! This is a definite MUST READ!...more
I love all the books I write, but this one was just fantastically fun because, BOY, did I let my inner geek OUT! LOL!
The world building on this book I love all the books I write, but this one was just fantastically fun because, BOY, did I let my inner geek OUT! LOL!
The world building on this book was fun and amazing. I really hope that what I see is translated onto the page so YOU can see what I do. I really enjoy these characters. They're so courageous and adventurous!
Since this is a self-review *snorting eye roll* I won't wax poetic about it. I enjoyed writing it. A LOT! I hope you enjoy reading it. *grin* ...more
Tish Everett has just left an abusive relationship to find herself and take care of her dying grandmother. When she inadvertently steals an antique lo Tish Everett has just left an abusive relationship to find herself and take care of her dying grandmother. When she inadvertently steals an antique locket from an estate sale, she wakes up naked in a strange land and assumes she's having the most realistic dream of her life. Instead she meets the man whose portrait haunted her from inside the locket-- magician, carnival ringmaster, and blood-drinker Criminy Stain.
When the locket is stolen, Tish must choose between her supposed destiny with Criminy in the steampunk Victorian world of Sang and a normal life and family in her own world, where she's the only thing keeping her grandmother alive.
My Review: LOVED IT!
I loved this book from the first chapter! The main character was strong and easy to like, but she was still weak, maybe a bit weaker than I would have liked, but that's me talking about the person. The author did a wonderful job penning her. I felt what Tish felt, saw what she saw and was amazed with the setting.
Criminy was amazing and I want one of him! LOL! Yeah, okay, so bloodmen are vampires, but I love what Ms. Dawson did with it. Let me just tell you I will never see a bunny the same way again. I had a bunny run up to me this morning and was about to punt it until I remembered that in this dimension, rabbits are just rodents. LOL!
The setting was amazing and had me salivating for more! I immediately wanted another book so I could go back to this vivid, strange world! Let me just say this. If I could vacation in someone's head, I'd choose Ms. Dawson's. OMW! I will be looking for a locket so I can be transported. LOL!
I love this book! I love this cover! I love this world! i can't WAIT for book 2! ...more
Fantasy like this is hard to write and hard to find. The characters come off the page really well. You can tell that the author spends a lot of time wFantasy like this is hard to write and hard to find. The characters come off the page really well. You can tell that the author spends a lot of time with her characters, understanding who they are, what drives them, how they came to be, because she's able to grasp all these little nuances that just make it easy to sync with them.
The characters themselves are pretty tough! I wasn't too excited over the "they're elves" aspect. LOL! Before vampires, I thought that elves were a little over done. I blame a certain friend of mine from my military days. He LOVED elves to point I was ready to throw up toe nails at the mention of them, but boy, Anastasia sure had a way of saying, "Frankie, you're dork! This isn't Dungeons and Dragons. This is my book!! Get over it and read it!" She just wrapped me up and sent me packing on a journey with the Elite.
If you need something different, pick this up. You will not be disappointed! Heck, even if you don't need something different, pick this up. This is the type of fantasy that is great if you're a huge fantasy fan and even if you're not. I think everyone will get a sense of satisfaction by reading this book. ...more
Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup...
This is what Lord Edric wants you to believe. He will do aDo not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup...
This is what Lord Edric wants you to believe. He will do anything in his power to see that humans never come in contact with dragons again.
However, he doesn't plan for Meia, the foster child who dreams of dragons, believing they are real.
Or Deglan, the ten-year-old dragon who bears the ancient mark that threatens everything Lord Edric has worked for. Join these two unlikely friends as they discover the truth behind a legend so extraordinary it will alter each of their lives... forever.
I have so sooooo much praise for this book! First of all, I want you all to know that I wanted to call the book You Taste Good With Ketchup . Oh, yes. It was. Of course, that's because the very first line of the book is by far my favorite!
Ms. Jacobs was able to surprise me with her plot and wow me with her characters. I fell in love with them. By the time our two characters met, I was 100% vested in both of them. They're charming and courageous and exactly the kind of people I'd want as friends.
However, that's where the book goes from feel-good-with-the-pals to just-plain-wild - in a good way! After the two main characters meet, it was all I could do to hold onto my seat, flip the pages and hope to Hades I didn't have to take a potty break because I wasn't putting that book down for anything!
The visuals! OMG! The visuals were simply stunning. I literally stopped, paused, re-read and just breathed the scene in. She captured it all. Sight, smell, taste, feel, hearing. It was all there in effortlessly written scenes waiting for the casual reader to inhale. I felt like I had stepped out of my world and into a whole other realm. One where dragons are real. @_@ And if you're careful, you just might meet one.
Just remember two things:
1. You taste good with ketchup. Be ware.
2. The dragon marks are contagious! Seriously! I'm getting one! On my arm! And I wasn't the first one, either!
Just warning you. Pick it up, and give yourself a few hours because you are NOT going to want to put this book down!...more
What if the monsters from your favorite horror books were real?
Eddie Fennicks has always been a loner, content to lose himself in a mystery novel by hWhat if the monsters from your favorite horror books were real?
Eddie Fennicks has always been a loner, content to lose himself in a mystery novel by his favorite author, Nathaniel Olmstead. That's why moving to the small town of Gatesweed becomes a dream come true when Eddie discovers that Olmstead lived there before mysteriously disappearing thirteen years ago. Even better, Eddie finds a handwritten, never-before-seen Nathaniel Olmstead book printed in code and befriends Harris, who's as much an Olmsteady as he is. But then the frightening creatures of Olmstead's books begin to show up in real life, and Eddie's dream turns into a nightmare. Eddie, Harris, and their new friend, Maggie, must break Olmstead's code, banish all gremlins and monster lake-dogs from the town of Gatesweed, and solve the mystery of the missing author, all before Eddie's mom finishes writing her own tale of terror and brings to life the scariest creature of all.
when Miss Sunshine told me about this book, she was so, so, SO excited! She loves books, but doesn't necessarily love to READ. When she said she'd not only read this book once, but TWICE, I knew I had to read it.
I will say that it took me awhile to get into the story. A lot of that was me. It was a very crazy time - still is for that matter - the more I read, the more I got sucked into the book. And then, it was as though I was QUITE LITERALLY sucked into it. LOL!
After I finally decided to shut off my brain, turn off the Voice of Bossman, and just READ, I was swept away! The plot was very well paced. The character arc was well done, and the creepy factor was excellent.
I can see why she loved the book. Mr. Poblocki did a superb job of writing *wide blue eyes* "creepy horror that's super creepy, Mom!"
And, in the words of Miss Sunshine, "You totally HAVE to read NightMarys" because it LOOKS even creepier (in an extraordinarily cool way) and Miss Sunshine, who's read the book, whole-heartedly agrees!...more
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