Review: The Curse of Gremdon by Ciara Knight and GIVEAWAY!
The Curse of Gremdon by Ciara Knight Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
The Curse of Gremdon by Ciara...moreReview: The Curse of Gremdon by Ciara Knight and GIVEAWAY!
The Curse of Gremdon by Ciara Knight Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
The Curse of Gremdon by Ciara Knight is an adult fiction novel about warriors Arianna and Tardon that takes place in a world where marriage is forbidden. As an elite male warrior, Tardon is basically given anything and everything he wants by the omnipotent Elders. The entire kingdom is forced by the Elders to live within the palace walls because of a curse that turns people into horrible monsters.
The extremely controlling Elders do not allow anyone to threaten their regime and vilify anyone who does dare to pose even a hint of a problem. When the Elders run out of a magical elixir, Arianna and Tardon are charged with venturing to the Tree of Life and risking the very real possibility of contracting the curse.
The dictatorship they live in is very much a male dominated society. Even though both Arianna and Tardon are excellent warriors, only male Tardon is presented with a never ending supply of ‘gifts’ from the Elders. Whereas Arianna is forbidden from indulging in such behavior. In fact, the Elders persecute Arianna first because she is female.
While I did enjoy reading this book, I found the first part of the book to drag on a bit. I also was able to figure out the plot less than 50 pages into the book, but did enjoy ‘watching’ the plot unfold as I read on. It is a pretty quick read and once I got about a third of the way through the pace picked up.
I gave The Curse of Gremdon a rating of 3.5 because it was a bit slow at the beginning and contained more explicit adult language than I typically prefer. That said, I did find it very easy to picture the landscape and the castle from the great descriptions the author gave. I found myself rooting for Tardon and Arianna hoping that the quest they were forced to go on would be successful. The Elders had said that if Tardon was successful that they would allow him to marry Arianna.
The Curse of Gremdon by Ciara Knight is available for purchase now.
~Jaclyn~
*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author and Bewitching Book Tours as part of their book tour. Please see my disclaimer policy for more information.(less)
The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chi...moreReview: The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima
The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima is the first in a series of young adult books about those special people with magical gifts also known as the Weir. All of the Weir are born with stones that correspond to their specific gift, for example wizards are born with wizard stones, enchanters with enchanter stones, and warriors with warrior stones. But what happens when a gifted baby is born without their stone?
That is just the predicament that faces Linda Downey and her nephew, Jack just after his birth. Linda contacts Dr. Jessamine Longbranch renounced heart surgeon and wizard who was supposed to surgically place a wizard stone into baby Jack. But unbeknownst to Linda, the not-so-good doctor implants a warrior stone instead. While he was born to be a wizard, Jack now has a warrior stone implanted just behind his heart and because of this experiment is Jack a wizard? Or a warrior?
While most things that are rare are a good thing like diamonds and fire opals, if you are the warrior, you might not feel so lucky. That is because wizards use warriors to fight for them in the Game. The Game is the way wizards fight their wars and are much less bloody for the wizards, unfortunately it’s a death sentence for at least one of the warriors.
I found the idea of one being able to change what someone is to bring up ethical questions. Nowadays, prospective parents can essentially create ‘designer’ babies where hair and eye color can be chosen along with gender. Now I know this is a bit different than what happens in the book which of course is fiction, but is the same basic idea.
I liked that this wasn’t anything close to another famous wizard story nor like many in the same genre. I thought this idea of a wizard and magical powers was very much a ‘new’, different, and perhaps a little dark take on it. I also liked that there were several twists and turns throughout the way that keeps readers guessing until the very end.
I rated The Warrior Heir 4 out of 5 stars for the very enjoyable, fun, and entertaining read. I look forward to reading the two other Heir novels currently published, The Wizard Heir and The Dragon Heir.
~Jaclyn~
*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. Please see my disclaimer policy for more information.(less)
Six Weeks to Yehidah by Melissa Studdard is a middle grade book essentially...moreReview: Six Weeks to Yehidah by Melissa Studdard
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Six Weeks to Yehidah by Melissa Studdard is a middle grade book essentially about theology and the meaning of life. The protagonist is ten year old Annalise who wanders away in the rain even though her mother said to stay near the house and goes on an incredible adventure with her two sheep Mabel and Mimi. On her adventure of self discovery Annalise learns so very much about herself, her purpose, and about the wonders of life.
Even though this novel is written for children 8-12 years old, thinking back to myself at that age, I’m not sure most children at that age would understand some of the abstract concepts. I do think Ms. Studdard does a good job in using vocabulary appropriate, I wonder if the intangible theories would be within their grasp. I did appreciate that for the most part Ms. Studdard doesn’t delve too much into any one religion, unlike C.S. Lewis’s The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe which has a very Christian basis.
I rated Six Weeks to Yehidah a 3.5 out of 5 stars as I did like that this was a very thought provoking children’s novel that parents and children could read and discuss together. But I felt parts of it dragged a bit as I had figured out what had actually happened to Annalise about 20 pages in and was waiting for it to all play out. I try not to reveal too much about specific plots in my reviews as to not giveaway too much to potential readers.
I would have liked for there to be a bit more discovery about the similarities and differences that different religions have about a belief in a higher power or G-d. I liked the quote by Rabbi David A. Cooper at the beginning of the novel, but think it may be too sophisticated for 8-12 year old children. Perhaps there could have been a discussion guide at the back of the book discussing this quote and main topics in the book as a starting point for parents and children.
I was also sent an e-copy of the guided journal companion My Yehidah which I glanced through, but would have found it more useful if it was an actual printed version. I liked the idea of having a guided journal for interested children to use as a way of digesting the very abstract concepts brought up throughout Six Weeks to Yehidah.
Both Six Weeks to Yehidah and My Yehidah by Melissa Studdard (the journal is illustrated by Cheryl Kelley) are available now.
Clockwise is the first in a series of novels by Elle Strauss about the complicated life of so...moreReview: Clockwise by Elle Strauss
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Clockwise is the first in a series of novels by Elle Strauss about the complicated life of sophomore (in high school) Casey Donovan. Starting when Casey was about 9 years old, she for some unknown reason, travels back in time. And anyone who has the fortune or rather misfortune to be touching Casey when she starts to "trip" back in time goes with her.
When the book starts Casey is flustered when approached by her crush, senior (and hottie) Nate Mackenzie during football practice when Casey catches his football. Not long afterwards Lucinda (Casey's best friend) drags her to the Fall dance and miraculously Nate actually asks Casey to dance! But of course that is the moment when Casey is thrust back in time toting Nate along with her!
Now not only is Casey back in 1860, but Nate who has no idea that Casey time travels is there along with her. And to make matters worse the etiquette in the nineteenth century when it comes to how men and women (especially younger single women) behave alone and with others is very different from the twenty-first century. While stuck back in 1860, Casey is re-named Cassandra as it is a much more proper name for a young woman and she also renames Nate as Nathaniel.
Even after surviving 1860 and returning to the twenty-first century, Casey struggles to figure out whether she has a relationship, or friendship, or something else? with Nate. Life continues to be complicated and then it happens again! Casey brings Nate back to 1860! At least Casey finally has someone else to share this strange, odd, exciting, and dangerous 'other' life with someone else.
I gave Clockwise 5 stars because I not only really enjoyed the book, but I thought that the method in which time travel happens was very well done. Unlike other novels with time travel, I felt this one was very clear as to when the time travel occurred and when it ended. It wasn't at all confusing. I've never read a novel that put time travel the way that Elle Strauss did.
I really loved reading Clockwise and as much as I wanted to find out what had happened, i also didn't really want the book to end. I often guess (correctly) the ending of books and loved that I wasn't able to completely figure out the entire ending. I very much hope that Elle Strauss writes many more Casey/Cassandra adventures beyond Clockwise and sequel ClockwiseR (which I'll be reviewing in the next few weeks).(less)
The Gaia Wars by Kenneth G. Bennett Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Kenneth G. Bennett’s The Gaia Wars is the first...moreReview: The Gaia Wars by Kenneth G. Bennett
The Gaia Wars by Kenneth G. Bennett Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Kenneth G. Bennett’s The Gaia Wars is the first in a trilogy about the survival of Earth in a fight between good versus evil. In this first novel, when we meet 13 year old protagonist Warren Wilkes he has hidden out of sight in order to watch the events unfold when a greedy land developer (Todd Finley Sr.) and his son (Todd Finley Jr.) discover that their WaveRunners have been sabotaged.
While Warren is hiking to escape both Todd Finley Sr. and Jr. he makes a startling, fascinating, and life changing discovery. Warren is stunned to find an undisturbed ancient skeleton, but it is what he finds in the dirt adjacent to the skeleton that takes him completely by surprise!
Along with a spear point, the leather pouch also contained a mesmerizing gold hammered ‘medallion’ with 7 blue sparkling gems encrusted into each edge and in the center of this precious artifact is a very shiny obsidian. But this is no ordinary medallion!
I rated The Gaia Wars a 4 out of 5 stars as on the one hand, I found it to be a fun, entertaining, and quick read. I also found Warren to be a relatable character complete with flaws which incidentally made him even easier to relate to.
But on the other hand, I have to say that one of the things that I especially disliked was how the book seemed to just abruptly end! I literally was just reading, flipping page after page after page when all of a suddenly ended! It felt like I was just in the middle of reading another chapter when I couldn’t ‘flip’ anymore pages (I read this via my Kindle app for ipad first generation).
If I didn’t have Battle for Cascadia already loaded on my Kindle for ipad app then I would have been very irritated as I felt that there wasn’t any sort of conclusion at the end of The Gaia Wars. I very much would have liked to see some sort of wrap up or [intermediary at least] conclusion to tide me over I’d be able to get my hands on the second book. I also felt that at the end of the novel would have been a good time to try to get me ‘drawn into’ the second novel.
I read both novels (The Gaia Wars and Battle for Cascadia) in less than 48 hours from start to finish (about 500 pages total for both books). Neither book alone is very long which could be seen as a positive or negative depending on who you ask.
If you are planning on reading The Gaia Wars I would highly suggest that you make sure you have both books available, because if you’re anything like me you’ll want to begin reading Battle For Cascadia immediately upon finishing The Gaia Wars.
Both The Gaia Wars and Battle For Cascadia by Kenneth G. Bennett are available on both in print and ebook copies.
~Jaclyn~
*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author and Novel Publicity as part of their book tour. Please see my disclaimer policy for more information.(less)
Review: Itamar Makes Friends by Josh Hasten and Illustrated by S. Kim Glassman
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Itamar Makes Friends by Josh Hasten is about an...moreReview: Itamar Makes Friends by Josh Hasten and Illustrated by S. Kim Glassman
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Itamar Makes Friends by Josh Hasten is about an 8 year old Israeli boy named Itamar. Itamar lives in a yishuv (a small village) in the mountains about an hour bus ride away from the nearest city. One day when Itamar and his older sister are about to return home from a day in the city, Itamar realizes that he’s left his soccer ball in the park. After promising his sister that he’d be back before the bus, he runs off to where he and his cousins had been playing just a little while earlier. But when he reaches that part of the park he finds that several boys are playing with his soccer ball!
Itamar politely asks the boys to return his ball to him, but the boys in the park refuse. They then proceed to taunt him because he doesn’t live in the city like they do. Then Itamar trips and falls scraping his knee. One of the boys remembers what it is like to fall and hurt himself and then realizes that they haven’t been very nice to Itamar for no other reason than because he lives somewhere different! The boys apologize to Itamar and then all of them play soccer for a few minutes before Itamar has to rush off to catch the bus back home. He invites his new friends to come up and visit him on the yishuv where there is plenty of room to play soccer.
I think this book is a good example, for young ones and the older ones reading the story, that no matter what the differences between people everyone can be friends and get along. I would venture to guess that most adults are aware of the conflict between Israelis and their Palestinian neighbors. But I don’t think as many adults are aware of the conflicts between Jews who live in different areas and have different religious beliefs. This is a good reminder for adults as well as for children that all people ARE people and that they deserve to be treated with respect, dignity, and compassion.
I gave Itamar Makes Friends 3 stars as I felt that the illustrations were not as detailed as they could have been and felt that while the moral of this story is a positive and important one, the writing felt a bit unsophisticated for a children’s book for me.
I do, however, feel its message of tolerance among everyone, Jewish or otherwise is extremely important.
~Jaclyn~
**Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher, Gefen, as part of the Early Reviewer program on LibraryThing.**(less)
Re-read as part of the Books that made me LOVE reading challenge hosted by Emlyn Chand. You can read my post about why this book helped make me the re...moreRe-read as part of the Books that made me LOVE reading challenge hosted by Emlyn Chand. You can read my post about why this book helped make me the reader I am today at: http://www.jaclynsmusings.com/2012/02/reading-challenge-books-that-made-me-love-reading/(less)
Note: I will be publishing this review on my blog Jaclyn's Musings and on goodreads. This review is scheduled to post on Mon. Nov. 7, 2011. I am inclu...moreNote: I will be publishing this review on my blog Jaclyn's Musings and on goodreads. This review is scheduled to post on Mon. Nov. 7, 2011. I am including the direct link, HERE, but please note that the link will not work until the publication date of Mon. Nov. 7, 2011. Thank you so very much for this opportunity! ~Jaclyn~
Review: Candlewax by C. Bailey Sims Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
C. Bailey Sim's Candlewax is the first in a series of novels about an Ancient Prophecy, a Fairrier car named Spelopokos, and a Princess name Catherine. Young sixteen year old Catherine decides that she is not in the least bit interested in an arranged marriage and that she’ll run away instead. Thus begins a series of events that takes the Princess across the Kingdoms all throughout the land of Lackanay. On her journey she learns about the true meaning of friendship, loyalty, bravery, courage, and love. She also learns so much more about her beloved grandmother (her namesake) that goes far above and beyond the lessons that her grandmother taught her.
Princess Catherine learns that every living thing within the realm of Lackanay will soon be in peril by trodliks (which her father, the King, said did not exist) and a great evil, if she doesn’t choose to fulfill her destiny. And she finds that she is much stronger and self sufficient than her sheltered upbringing would suppose. And that she truly can do whatever it is that she sets her mind to and is necessary stop everything she loves from being destroyed. Somewhere along the way she finds that she has friends who like her for who she is and not what (the title) she has.
I rated Candlewax a 3.5 because the first several chapters were very slow, but once the pace picked up I found that I really enjoyed it. If it wasn’t for the slow beginning, I would have given Candlewax a higher score. That said, I would definitely recommend this book to all those that enjoy the YA fantasy genre.
I enjoyed learning about (the fictional realm of) lackaday and the Candlewax King along with the protagonist Catharine. While the story takes place over days the growth and change in Catharine feels like years. The change is quite remarkable and I would consider this to be a coming-of-age stories. While Candlewax wraps up fairly well in an of itself, the door is open for the next book in the series, Tabrek which I very much look forward to reading when it is available.
Candlewax by C. Bailey Sims is scheduled to be released on April 3, 2012. ~Jaclyn~
*Disclosure - I received an e-copy of this title from NetGalley
Rating system: (stars) 5 - Excellent! Can’t put it down! 4.5 - Fantastic! Definitely a keeper 4 - Compelling, A page turner 3.5 - Very Enjoyable 3 - Enjoyable. A pleasant read 2.5 - Take it or Leave it. May or may not finish 2 - Problematic. May struggle to finish 1.5 - Severely flawed. Pass on this one 1 - Couldn’t finish. Not my kind of book. (less)
Scorpio Rising is the first of two novels about...moreReview: Scorpio Rising by Monique Domovitch
Scorpio Rising by Monique Domovitch
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Scorpio Rising is the first of two novels about the lives of Alex and Brigitte by Monique Domovitch. Alex was born and raised in Brooklyn while Brigitte was grew up in Paris. While they grew up thousands of miles apart both faced many challenges in their early youth.
I liked how the chapters alternated from whose point of view in which they were told from. Not long into the book I figured out what one of the main plots was, but enjoyed ‘watching’ it unfold. I did find that the time differences between the main characters to be confusing as they are the same age, yet many years might pass before switching back to the other characters point of view.
I thought that Alex and Brigitte were very well developed and complex main characters. I found myself rooting for them as they grew up. Both of them are very driven and motivated young people determined to get what they wanted out of life. Although sometimes at the expense of others, in the case of Alex. Both are dreamers and have big plans, but as in reality, “life happens when you’re out making other plans” and so things happens not always as either would have ideally liked. Which I think added to the realism of this book, as things don’t always go the way one wants.
I found Scorpio Rising to be a very quick yet entertaining read. Though I didn’t like that there wasn’t much a conclusion, but more of a “end of part one” type of ending which made me very glad that I had the second book already.
Scorpio Rising by Monique Domovitch is available now.
~Jaclyn~
*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author and Novel Publicity as part of their book tour. Please see my disclaimer policy for more information.(less)
Mrs. Jurman shows incredible strength, determination and perseverance to be able to witness the horrors that she did and still somehow find her will t...moreMrs. Jurman shows incredible strength, determination and perseverance to be able to witness the horrors that she did and still somehow find her will to live. And even after all the atrocities that she witnessed Mrs. Jurman remained a very kind heart woman. I met her during my first year of high school through a Jewish leadership program. I felt drawn to her from that first moment I heard her speak. Afterwards, her and I did keep in touch and talk on the phone periodically until I graduated from high school. And when several of my high school teachers expressed interest in reading her story, she sent me several copies that were signed specifically for my teachers!Then she moved to be nearer to her family and I left for college and unfortunately we haven't been in touch in many years. This has remained without a doubt an extremely special retelling of a series of events that we as people should never forget. I will never forget. If you haven't read her story yet you should, but just read the prologue to start it is one of the most intensely gripping introductions that I have ever had the privilege of reading. (less)
Review: Bridger by Megan Curd Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Bridger is the first in a series of novels by Megan Curd. Ashlyn considers herself just a normal...moreReview: Bridger by Megan Curd Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Bridger is the first in a series of novels by Megan Curd. Ashlyn considers herself just a normal teenager or so she thought and like a typical teen never thought of fairy tales as anything other than fiction. At least she doesn't believe in fairy tales until she finds herself in the middle of a multiple century's old feud started by her grandmother.
Through a series of events set off long before she was born, Ashlyn truly learns who she can count on. And if that wasn't enough to deal with Ashlyn is learning the ropes of her new relationship with her boyfriend Liam. Ashlyn learns that there is more to this feud than first meets the eye including landing her and her grandmother on a century's old hit list!
So not only is she on a hit list and in the middle of a feud, but Ashlyn learns that she has special abilities too! She is one of only two people ever to be able to cross between faerie realms which means she is also a hot commodity. Unfortunately this also puts her and everyone she cares most about in danger.
I gave Bridger a rating of 4 out of 5 stars because while I did very much enjoy reading this novel, I felt that parts of it were slow. I love that the author had an original take on faeries. With so many books always coming out in this very popular YA genre, Megan Curd was successful in writing a unique story.(less)
In Leah’s Wake by Terri Giuliano Long is about a family of four whose eldest daug...moreReview: In Leah’s Wake by Terri Giuliano Long
Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
In Leah’s Wake by Terri Giuliano Long is about a family of four whose eldest daughter starts exhibiting dangerous and destructive behavior and how it affects the enter family. Sixteen year old Leah decides that she is tired of being a soccer star and ‘perfect’. Twelve year old Justine just wants her family back the way it was. Parents Zoe and Will each handle the stress in their own ways while pulling away from one another.
I found In Leah’s Wake to be painfully slow. I committed to reading this, so I did read the entire book though I struggled to finish. From the title and description I had figured out what the plot would be and just wanted it to get to the point already. I did like the extensive character development. Each chapter is from the perspective of a different family member and I especially liked the chapters from Justine’s perspective the most.
I gave In Leah’s Wake a generous 2 out of 5 stars as I did like the character development, but would have liked more resolution with Justine given some of the symptoms that she had started exhibiting given the strenuous situation with the rest of her family. While I personally did not like this book, others may well like it very much.
In Leah’s Wake is available for purchase now.
~Jaclyn~
*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author and Novel Publicity as part of their book tour. Please see my disclaimer policy for more information. (less)
Review: The Sting of the Scorpio by Monique Domovitch
The Sting of the Scorpio by Monique Domovitch
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
The Sting of the Scorpio by...moreReview: The Sting of the Scorpio by Monique Domovitch
The Sting of the Scorpio by Monique Domovitch
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
The Sting of the Scorpio by Monique Domovitch is the second of two novels about the lives of Alex and Brigitte. This novel pretty much picks up just after the first one ends. Unlike the first novel that takes place both in the US and in France, this one takes place only in the US and specifically in the City of New York.
Scorpio Rising follows Alex and Brigitte through their childhoods into young adulthood whereas The Sting of the Scorpio follows them through most of their rest of their lives. The titles even give clues as to parts of life each book is about.
I liked being able to follow Alex and Brigitte from meager beginnings in early childhood through the growth and changes during much of their lives. And ‘watch’ the challenges each face during the various stages of life.
I found The Sting of the Scorpio to also be a quick and entertaining read. Like the first one each of the main characters have chapters written from their perspective which I think that makes both novels very multi-dimensional and more realistic.
I found Alex and Brigitte to each have qualities that I could relate to. I liked that there was more of a conclusion to the end of this one, than the first, but would have liked an Epilogue from Brigitte’s perspective as well. I think that since both books were from both of their points of view, the ending should have been shared as well. Both books only took me a few days to read and held my attention throughout.
The Sting of the Scorpio by Monique Domovitch is available now.
~Jaclyn~
*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author and Novel Publicity as part of their book tour. Please see my disclaimer policy for more information. (less)
Review: Mind Over Matter by S.J. Clarke Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Mind Over Matter by S.J. Clarke is about a divorced woman whose daughter, Sabrina, was...moreReview: Mind Over Matter by S.J. Clarke Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Mind Over Matter by S.J. Clarke is about a divorced woman whose daughter, Sabrina, was kidnapped 3 years earlier. Rebecca McKenney has a vision of Sabrina now, appropriately older. She is convinced that her daughter is in fact very much alive and goes to see the FBI agent in charge of the case years earlier.
Dan Cooper is the former FBI agent who was the lead on Sabrina's kidnapping case and because of a possible mistake he made 3 years earlier he agrees to help Rebecca pursue looking for her daughter now. He doesn't believe in Rebecca having any sort of psychic vision. As Dan and Rebecca begin to dig through all the old leads they start to find a very sinister conspiracy that goes back decades.
I gave Mind Over Matter 4 out of 5 stars as I did overall really enjoy the novel. I would have liked it to be a bit longer as I felt some of the plot points were a bit rushed. The digital edition of the book that I had was a short 160 pages and I felt what was there was overall well written.
I would have liked there to have been more time spent on what had happened to Sabrina during the three years from when she was kidnapped to present day. And why she was so important to the organization if you will. I also would have liked there to have been more dynamic character development.
Even though I thought the ending was fairly well written and much better than many I’ve read recently. I still would have liked to have more follow up with some of the minor characters at the end of the novel. Perhaps having an Epilogue to be able to more fully wrap up some ‘loose threads’ would have worked well. I’m deliberately being vague as I do not like to reveal too much information or ‘spoilers’ in my reviews.
Mind Over Matter is the first novel by S.J. Clarke and is available now.
~Jaclyn~
*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author and Bewitching Book Tours as part of their book tour. Please see my disclaimer policy for more information. (less)
Farsighted by Emlyn Chand (read it on my blog by clicking HERE Read my Interview with Emlyn Chand by clicking HERE
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Farsighted b...moreFarsighted by Emlyn Chand (read it on my blog by clicking HERE Read my Interview with Emlyn Chand by clicking HERE
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Farsighted by Emlyn Chand is the first in a series of books about teenagers with various types of psychic gifts. One of these teens is Alex Kosmitoras who learns that he has psychic ‘visions’ which is ironic as Alex is blind. So for Alex, his ‘visions’ come in the very same way as he experiences the rest of the world, through his other senses.
When the story starts, we meet Alex as he is just about to begin another year of (high) school. At first he feels lonely, which he believes is largely because he lacks the ability to see. But Alex doesn’t let that stop him and has adapted, he is in mainstream classes without any sort of adult aide. He does require all his textbooks be special ordered in Braille which makes them much larger and heavier than his peers’ editions. Throughout the store Alex undergoes a lot of changes in respect to his newly found psychic gifts. Alex does get help and guidance from two sources, one of which, to Alex at least, is highly unlikely ally.
I gave Emlyn Chand’s Farsighted a 4 because I felt it took awhile for me to really get ‘into’ the story. I did enjoy the runes and ‘fortune’ given at the beginning of each chapter. As someone who lives with both a physical and invisible disability, I very much liked the synopsis of the book as not many [books] I find have a protagonist who has any sort of disability. I was also pleased that Alex has a couple of very good friends that don’t treat him differently just because he was born without vision.
I am very much looking forward to the next book in the series that we’re told will be narrated by someone other than Alex. Now I have a couple guesses, but am not going to share them as I do not want to give away too much of the story. And I thank the author Emlyn Chand and Novel Publicity for allowing me to join the Farsighted book tour.
Farsighted by Emlyn Chand is scheduled to be released in print on Nov. 24, 2011 and is currently available for Kindle on Amazon.com.
~Jaclyn~ Links to corresponding posts on my blog: Farsigted Review
I was also fortunate enough to interview Ms. Emlyn Chand and you can read my interview by going to the following link! Interview with Author Emlyn Chand
** Disclaimer: I write book reviews on my blog, Jaclyn's Musings, and received a free copy of Farsighted as part of Novel Publicity's Book Tour in exchange for an honest review**(less)
Rachel McClellan’s YA debut novel Fractured Light is about the fight of good vs....moreReview: Fractured Light by Rachel McClellan
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Rachel McClellan’s YA debut novel Fractured Light is about the fight of good vs. evil and light vs. dark. Specifically Auras (light) vs. Vykens (dark) as Auras are being hunted by Vykens. The protaganist Llona (pronounced Ee-ona) has known her whole life about Auras and Vykens as it was the only bedtime story her mother would ever tell her no matter how many times she pleaded for a different story. Llona became very frustrated throughout her childhood with her mom’s resolve to always repeat the same story night after night after night. Later she finds herself feeling grateful to her mom for making sure she knew all about their shared Aura history, but Llona wasn’t told all of it.
After both her parents are killed, Llona and her uncle and legal guardian Jake move quite often in an attempt for Llona to stay (and feel) safe. After they settle into Bountiful, Utah Llona starts to feel like she could stay here long term especially after meeting May and Christian. At first glances Christian and Llona seem to make an unlikely pair who then appear to be a “perfect couple”, but there is a catch.
She learns that there is a Vyken after her who knows more about her parents death than first meets the eye. And her off-putting yet well-meaning aunt Sophie wants her to begin studying at the academy that she runs specifically for those young people with ‘gifts’ such as Llona’s.
Add into the mix teenage homones, romances Aunt Sophie’s rules and pressure to join her school, and the physical changes that wax and wane with the moon make this to be a very fun and entertaining read! I very much enjoyed reading Fractured Light and very much hope for a sequel. I noticed on the author’s blog that a book entitled Fractured Dark is scheduled to be released in February 2013 and hope that this is indeed a sequel.
Fractured Light by Rachel McClellan is scheduled to be released on February 8, 2012.
~Jaclyn~
*Disclaimer: received through NetGalley and reviewing as part of the book tour by Cedar Fort. (less)
This is the review that I wrote and published on my blog Jaclyn's Musings and you can find the direct link by clicking HERE
Tempest by Julie Cross Ratin...moreThis is the review that I wrote and published on my blog Jaclyn's Musings and you can find the direct link by clicking HERE
Tempest by Julie Cross Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Tempest is the debut novel of author Julie Cross. It is a story about discovering whether it’s possible for time travel to alter the course of life changing events. The main character is Jackson Meyer, a 19 year old whose world is turned upside down when he sees his girlfriend killed right before his eyes. At first I found it a little bit confusing as I tried to wrap my head around the ‘jumps’ in time that Jackson makes, especially since his age, 19 in 2009, doesn’t change no matter what year he goes back to. Luckily, once I was able to keep the current year straight I began to really ‘get into’ and enjoy the story.
While on a time jump, Jackson manages to find himself ‘stuck’ two years in the past and decides to try to insert himself into his girlfriend Holly’s life, long before they were dating and well in advance of that fateful day that ended her life. He discovers that back in 2007, two years in the past, Holly is a gymnastics instructor and that if he wants to get close to her he’ll have to take a less than desirable job.
I found that I could easily relate to this 2007 Holly, as I also have taught and participated in gymnastics. I really liked the descriptive language Julie Cross used to depict Holly doing gymnastics on the playground at a local park, and could easily picture this younger Holly, fearless when it came to climbing, balancing, and flipping on and off of the swing set.
One of the main plots of Tempest starts off as Jackson is trying to figure out how to change the events that led up to Holly being shot in 2009. Meanwhile, readers are taken on a journey through Jackson’s life as he is able to essentially “relive” events from his past as his current 19-year-old self. This allows him the ability to gain another perspective on his life, but often leaves him (and us as readers) with more questions than answers. Will Jackson be able to save present 2009 Holly? Throw into the mix a possible conspiracy theory, fellow time travelers, and questions about Jackson’s families past and you have a recipe for a very entertaining and thought provoking book! I can’t wait for book 2!
Tempest is scheduled to be released in the U.S. on January 17, 2012
Review: Stealing Magic: A Sixty-Eight Rooms Adventure by Marianne Malone
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Stealing Magic: A Sixty-Eight Rooms Adventure is the...moreReview: Stealing Magic: A Sixty-Eight Rooms Adventure by Marianne Malone
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Stealing Magic: A Sixty-Eight Rooms Adventure is the second in a series of novels by Marianne Malone. Which are about two 12 year olds, Ruthie and Jack, who have discovered (in the first book) that with the help of an antique key that and as long as a female holds the key that whomever is holding on to her shrinks as well. And it would seem that shrinking doesn’t happened just anywhere, but happens only within a specific distance of the Throne Rooms at the Art Institute Chicago.
Once shrunk, Ruthie and Jack are then the perfect size to explore the incredible miniature Throne rooms of which each are completely furnished by specific times throughout European and American History. The real Throne rooms provide a great backdrop for pre-teen detectives Ruthie and Jack as they try to figure out who is stealing artifacts from the Throne rooms.
During this their second adventure, the pre-teen duo will stop at nothing to discover who the art thief who is. And even shrink down to become the size of dollhouse pieces in order to explore the miniature rooms filled with incredible period pieces.
All of this is unbeknownst to the thief, that the minuscule items being taken are indeed magical artifacts that when removed super size into full scale items! And as it turns out, several of the tiny items are ‘special’ in that they are like keys that allow their corresponding rooms to “come to life!”
I gave Stealing Magic a 3.5 because as much as I enjoyed it, I felt that parts of the book dragged on. Even though it is a younger reader’s book it just seemed to be lacking a bit of sophistication. That said, I really did love the images created in my own mind of Ruthie and Jack shrinking down to dollhouse size and running through miniature rooms that open out into their corresponding period of time! How I would have loved to be able to shrink down and go through my own dollhouse as a child!
I very much look forward to reading the next in the Sixty-Eight Rooms Adventures by Marianne Malone.
Sixty-Eight Rooms Adventures by Marianne Malone is available now.
~Jaclyn~ *Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. Please see my disclaimer policy for more information.(less)
Review: Clockwiser by Elle Strauss Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
A couple months ago I was lucky enough to be able to read Clockwise by Elle Strauss as part...moreReview: Clockwiser by Elle Strauss Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
A couple months ago I was lucky enough to be able to read Clockwise by Elle Strauss as part of a virtual book tour. Not long after Elle Strauss emailed me to see if I'd also like to read and review the sequel. I immediately responded YES and so was able to also read Clockwiser. With everything going on it has taken me a bit longer to write this review.
Clockwiser continues the story of Casey Donovan and her friends and family around her. Casey is different that other girls her age because she time travels. I've read other books on time travel and I just love how elegant time travel in her books are. In other books it can be confusing and mind boggling to keep straight when the main character time travels. But in Elle Strauss's series it is always obvious and easy to follow.
Casey hasn't "tripped" (her word for time travel) since the last book left off which is the longest she has gone without tripping. But then when she is having a disagreement with her younger brother TIm, she touches him and suddenly travels back in time with Tim. When Casey trips, if she is touching sometime skin to skin (ie holding hands) she brings them back with her!. Casey only travels back to the same time and so as she has gotten older so have the people she has befriended in the past.
Tim has no idea that Casey has this amazing 'talent'. At least he doesn't until he ends up tripping back in time with Casey. A huge problem this time is that it is now 1862 in the past and the Civil Was is quickly approaching. While Casey is safe from being drafted because she is a girl, Tim (while a little under the age requirement) isn't necessarily exempt.
Since Casey must have skin to skin contact when she trips back to the present she tries to make sure Tim is near her at all times. But when she returns to the present without Tim panic sets in. Now Casey and boyfriend Nate (who went back with her in the first book) keep trying to return to the past to get Tim back, but Tim being impatient and rebellious decides to join up with the Union army.
I really LOVED every page of Clockwiser. I read through it in one sitting! This is by far one of the best novels I've read since I started blogging a year ago! I had so much fun reading both of the books in this series and cannot wait to read the third Like Clockwork. I love the way Elle Strauss is able weave together the past and present in such an easy to follow and beautiful way. I really don't have anything negative to add except that I wanted both books to be longer.
I think that the premise for how Casey time travels is just fascinating as it can happen at any time day or night. No matter how much time Casey spends in the past she always returns to exactly where she left off. If you like YA books on time traveling then you really should pick up a copy of Clockwise and Clockwiser.
Review: The Emerald City by J.A. Beard and GIVEAWAY (on my blog)!
The Emerald City by J.A. Beard Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars
The Emerald City by J.A. Bear...moreReview: The Emerald City by J.A. Beard and GIVEAWAY (on my blog)!
The Emerald City by J.A. Beard Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars
The Emerald City by J.A. Beard is a young adult novel about a high school girl named Gail Dorjee who is sent to a boarding school in Seattle, Washington after the tragedy of her parents untimely death. Once there strange things begin to happen forcing Gail to re-look back at her life up to that point.
J.A. Beard has taken L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz and transposed it into a loose re-imagination in a fresh and modern way. Much the way SyFy channel did with the Tin Man a couple years ago. I found that most of the original characters were easily identified in this version with other original characters thrown in.
I very much liked the premise of this story and found the idea intriguing. Unfortunately I felt that parts of the story dragged on while others were rushed in what I feel should have been a longer book. I wanted more information about life before Osland Academy not only for Gail, but also her friends. I also wanted to know more about the teachers at the school and how they came to be there and why.
I gave The Emerald City a rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars because I just felt that there was a lot that could have been added to enhance the story. That said, I did enjoy reading this quick and entertaining read. And I wouldn’t mind reading a sequel to find out even more about the characters and any more adventures they may have.
The Emerald City by J.A. Beard e-book is currently available for purchase!
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