Natalina Reis's Blog, page 2
July 18, 2025
Dreadful- A Review
Dreadful by Caitlin Rozakis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I had stumbled on Rozakis second novel and bought it on impulse (such an amazingly fun title and cover) only to find out that it was a great book. I was so impressed in fact that I immediately bought her debut novel, Dreadful, and started reading it.
The cover is equally awesome, the title appealing, and can I say, those sprayed edges on a softcover really “talk” to me.
I really enjoyed the story and the wonderful message within all the comical (mis)adventures of Dread Lord Gavrax and his retinue of misfits. It’s a story of outcasts and underdogs doing their best to rise to the “expected” standards only to find out that they were better off accepting who and what they were and be proud of it. After all perfection does not exist. Just my type of story indeed.
Good writing, lots of humor laced with great messages and heart, a totally insane world that strangely enough in many ways reflects our reality these days. Great and well-developed characters (OMG the chicken, sorry, the rooster!), unexpected plot twists, and a lot of heart makes this story an awesome one to read (and even reflect on).
That said, the narrative was at times a bit winded. I found myself skimming through some parts when Gav is thinking things through as the ideas kept being rehashed with more words than were truly necessary. It took me out of the story sometimes (which otherwise has an excellent rhythm and flow).
All in all a great book that I recommend to anyone who loves fantasy and humor, but not as good as her second novel. I guess that’s a good thing. As a writer, Rozakis is improving and I can’t wait to read her next book. I’m a fan for sure.
June 29, 2025
The Grimoire Grammar School Parent Teacher Association- Review
The Grimoire Grammar School Parent Teacher Association by Caitlin Rozakis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I was at Barnes & Noble shopping for another book (or two. Or three) and I saw this one. I was immediately attracted to the cover and title (it’s a paperback with an amazing cover and spray-painted edges). Then I read the back blurb and couldn’t resist. I bought it.
I had just started reading another book (an overly hyped cozy fantasy) and listening to another one a friend recommended, so I started reading this book when I had a moment or two (I call this my waiting-rooms book), but as I got more and more disappointed with the hyped-up book and more and more in love with this one, it became my main read. I finished it in record time.
This is such a fun read. A rather sarcastic view of what it’s like to be a parent of a school age child who doesn’t quite fit in with the other kids. Rozakis totally demolishes all the preconceived ideas readers may have about magic and magical creatures by setting them in situations very familiar to anyone who has a child in today’s schools. Except with magic.
There are hilarious moments, heartbreaking ones, and others that will make the reader (specially female readers) go, “I totally get that” or “I know how that feels”.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes to make fun of life in general as an armor against–well, everything that is wrong in the world.
I liked it so much, I immediately bought her other book and began reading it. I have high hopes…
June 13, 2025
The Love Haters – Book Review
The Love Haters by Katherine Center
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Another great book by Katherine Center.
The humor mixes with the seriousness of the themes perfectly. I loved the characters (including the side characters like The Gals, clueless Cole, and Beanie) and who wouldn’t love an overly friendly and rumbustious Great Dane?
I devoured the book (audio) and I only have one complaint which is the same I had with Center’s last book I read: she has the tendency to overextend the ending.
She has a great ending–or what I think should be the ending–and then she goes on with more stuff that however interesting is kind of superfluous to the plot or enjoyment of the story. Just my opinion and the only reason I am giving the book four stars instead of five.
Really enjoyed it and can’t wait for more books by Center.
June 12, 2025
The Ragpicker King – Book Review
The Ragpicker King by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I have to admit that I am upset. I was convinced this was a duology, so when I got toward the end of the book and things were looking pretty unresolved, I googled it. It’s a trilogy!!!!!
This series is so good. Definitely a departure from what we were used to from Cassandra Clare, but just as brilliant in a more mature way.
The world building is fantastic with all its parallels with reality and all the lore that goes with it. The characters have been developed in true Clare’s fashion, tridimensional and complex and the relationships between several of her characters are believable and often heart wrenching.
There were a few totally unexpected plot twists at the end and I am now left with the awful knowledge that it will be a long while until I can read the conclusion to this fabulous story.
Highly, highly recommend it.
June 7, 2025
In Memoriam
In the last week I lost two important pieces of my childhood, two cousins who, each in their own way, carved a niche in my memory and heart.
One passed away on June 1st after years of fighting against a rare and terrible brain condition that robbed him of movement, balance, speech and mostly other bodily functions while keeping him cruelly aware.
But this blog is about his sister, who passed away four days later and lived an ocean away in Canada.
Even though I only had contact with her through her adult daughter–she was not good at keeping in touch with her family outside Canada–she was and always will be a cherished memory of mine.
She was seventeen years older than me, the only girl in a household of males but led and taken care of by two amazing women (my namesake aunt and my grandma, Alice). Her brothers and her were taken in by their paternal aunt after misfortune hit their family. My aunt brought them up along with my dad and his brother who had also moved in after my grandfather’s death.
As a kid, I used to spend weekends with my cousin in my aunt’s big house while she spent her weekends in a vacation rental up north.
My cousin was the coolest and I was her biggest groupie. She wore mini-skirts and knee-high boots. She knew all the popular tunes and dances. I remember dancing with her in front of my aunt’s big radio, doing the Mashed Potato, the Twist, the Swim, and the Locomotion. She was dating a soldier who was fighting a war in what was then a Portuguese colony in Africa. I was privy to a lot of her love letters (never anything inappropriate). She was a working woman at a time when most women were still expected to “settle down” and be home bound.
People whispered about her sometimes–even as a child I was aware of that–because she referred to conform and I LOVED that part of her personality and admired her for it.
Gina on her wedding day with me (hanging on to her arm for dear life. I told you I was a groupie), my sister and my parents. She was a beautiful bride.I may have given her an unrealistic halo of coolness but that’s how my childhood mind and heart painted her then and still does. She will always be my rebellious cousin whom I looked up to and, even though I hadn’t seen her or spoke to her in years, I will miss her.
Gina, you’ll live forever in my heart.
Photo of Gina dancing with me and my cousin, Alice in my aunt Natalina’s yard.
May 29, 2025
Heartless Hunter – Book Review
Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What a great story with such relevant themes for today’s world. Extremes of anything are bad and there is no such thing as “all bad”” or “all good”.
Excellent writing, awesome plot, a true enemies-to-lovers romance with low spice but high (slow burn) sexual tension, a rollercoaster of emotions and quite a few surprises.
I was a little leery about the love triangle (not a true one since she was in love with only one of the guys), but it did work very well in the end.
I love me a tortured hero so Gideon was just up my alley even though I wanted to slap him many times for being so (understandably) inflexible on his beliefs about witches.
Many questions went unanswered and the cliffhanger at the end killed me… but the second one is out so I don’t have to wait long.
Hoping the second one comes with a satisfying resolution to what the first book set out for the readers and that one person in particular gets her comeuppance.
Highly recommend.
*I listened to the audio book and the narrator was excellent and really brought those characters to life for me*
May 5, 2025
Whispers Under Ground – Book Review
Whispers Under Ground by Ben Aaronovitch
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Rivers of London series hasn’t disappointed me yet. Its mixture of mystery, magic, and humor, perfectly balanced, is just up my alley. It even has hints of romance here and there. What else can a reader ask for?
In book 3, I was very happy to find that Lesley is back as a fully-functional partner and friend as well as a magician-in-training under the very British, very old-fashioned tutelage of Nightingale. I have high hopes for her full-recovery at some point down the line in the series.
Their adventure down in the maze of London sewers and subway tunnels is both thrilling and hilarious.
A hugely successful feature of this series is the so-called supporting and guest cast. In this particular installment Zach, the Fae-halfling and the God-fearing but rule-breaking FBI agent are great additions.
I have the next book already purchased and I highly recommend this series for anyone who loves a good urban fantasy.
As a footnote, the narrator continues to do an amazing job and adding yet another layer of humor and magic to this fabulous story.
April 23, 2025
Devious Desires- Release Blitz
DEVIOUS DESIRESSNOW TWINS DUET BOOK 2
PART OF THE DARK LEOPARDS M.C. WORLD
AUTHOR: Maria VickersCOVER DESIGNER: Maria VickersGenre: MC, PNR, Romance, SuspenseTROPES: MC, Enemies to lovers, Found Family, Overprotective Alpha, Shifter, Paranormal, Romance
Siam hasn’t had the easiest of lives, but compared to her brother Snow, she’s lived like a princess. She will do anything she can to protect him, including sacrificing herself if necessary. When she discovers her mate is the enemy of her brother, she may have to decide who is more important: her family or her love.
Fang is balancing on a very dangerous line, and his own secrets could be his undoing. He has to protect Siam, but he isn’t sure how to do that without possibly sacrificing himself. War is coming, and Fang will need to pick a side.
Danger is lurking around every corner, declaring war against the Dark Leopards MC. Will Siam and Fang fight against each other or embrace their destiny to become mates? Who will be left standing in the end.
ONLY 99 CENTS FOR A LIMITED TIME!https://bookgoodies.com/a/B0DYNS41XP*available in KU
My skin itched. Something was happening. Something I could not control, and I didn’t like it one bit. Pinky had gone radio silent and so had his brother. I’d tried calling Rye every hour for the last five hours, and nothing.
Then there was Enrique’s mood. He said something about losing a pair of eyes, but I had no idea what he meant by that. On one hand, I wanted to chalk it up to crazy ramblings, which was something he often did, but on the other, even crazy people spoke the truth. It didn’t sit well with me. None of it did. It felt like I was waiting for the other shoe to drop.
And my gut told me Siam was about to find herself in the middle of a war zone. Dark Leopards versus Enrique. I would do whatever it took to keep her safe and protect her. I would not allow anyone to sink their claws into her. At the same time, I felt like I was fighting an enemy with blinders on. I couldn’t see my foe coming, and I didn’t know which direction they were coming from. All I could do was jump in with both feet and hope we both survived this.
“Fang!” I had to control the urge to jump when I heard Enrique bellow.
“Yes, sir?” I answered quickly. With the mood he’d been in, I did not want to poke the beast. Not right now. My time would come, but for now, I would wait.
https://bookgoodies.com/a/B08SW5JC61
SNOWAs a young boy, abandoned by my parents and ripped apart from my twin sister, I learned early on that the world was full of evil and hate. I survived by living between the light and darkness, using my shifter abilities to stay alive…until one mistake should have cost me my life. Instead, it became my salvation and gave me a family and band of brothers who had my back no matter what. The Dark Leopards MC was not a gang to be trifled with, and many gave us a wide birth, and as the Sergeant At Arms, I ensured that’s the way it stayed. But someone was trying to encroach on our territory and begin a war.
I suspect the woman I saved, the woman whom I discover is my mate, is tied to it all somehow. I just have to figure out the puzzle before it’s too late.
I was only trying to help a friend. The last thing I ever thought is that my friend would try to kidnap me, but thankfully someone or something saved me. Rushing to meet my roommate, Siam, I got another shock when the gang responsible for my brother’s death are her friends. I didn’t care if her brother had mesmerizing eyes or if I had a hard time not thinking about him. He was the enemy!
But even as my enemy, he may be my only chance to stay alive and learn the truth. And if Snow is the one protecting me in and out of bed, I wouldn’t complain too much.
Maria Vickers is a bestselling and award-winning author who currently resides in St. Louis, MO with her pug, Hunny. She has always had a passion for writing and after she became disabled in 2010, she decided to use writing as her escape. She believes that life is about what you make of it, you have to live it to the fullest no matter the circumstances.
Getting sick changed her life forever, but it also opened doors for her that she thought would always be out of reach.
https://linktr.ee/mvickers.author
April 10, 2025
Writing Is Resistance
I recently attended a virtual writer’s retreat and was fortunate enough to attend a presentation titled “Writing is Resistance” and for me, this was well worth the price of the whole retreat.
It had been a while since I was fired up about my stories and my characters. It felt like an eternity since I felt proud of my writing. So this presentation hit all the right spots.
Writing IS resistance.
My books might not be at the level of Atwood’s “Handmaid” or Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451” . Or more recently, Collin’s “Hunger Games” or Yarros’s “Fourth Wing”, but I write about what’s right even if that means swimming against the tide.
I write about justice and courage under fire. About characters who have been wronged but rise up to beat all odds and be vindicated. I write about characters who do not hesitate to stand up and fight for what’s right.
Writing has always been my voice, the way a quiet introvert who was taught never to interrupt, never to impose, could be heard. I just had never thought of it as resistance, a way to get back at the system that failed me and others, to voice my opinion and my ideas.
That presentation made me realize I too am a rebel of sorts, that this wallflower can be seen and heard. That maybe my stories can make somebody think and maybe, just maybe be willing to change what’s wrong.
I’d like to thank Audrey Hughey for organizing the 2025 Virtual Spring Writer’s Retreat and the fabulous Taryn Noelle Kloeden for the inspiring presentation.
April 7, 2025
Iron Flame – Book Review
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The story of the fragile, bookish girl who nobody believes can survive the harshest of situations and who turns out to be the reluctant savior of, well, everybody, has been told many times. Some times in beautiful, exciting ways, sometimes not so much.
Rebecca Yarros tells that same story beautifully and powerfully. And with dragons!
There are many parallels with other awesome stories I have read in my now-longish life. Hunger Games come to mind. There are no dragons there or venin, but both Katniss and Violet share the same passion for uncovering the truth behind the lies of the few who will repress and control the rest. They both share their love for friends and family, unwavering loyalty to those they love, and willingness to do what’s right even when their own lives are at risk.
Iron Flame is a great story, wonderfully told. I can’t wait to read the third in the series (which I already purchased) and hope it keeps going strong.
On the downside, Yarros tends to be a little too wordy at times and I found myself skimming some scenes and then having to go back and reread them, afraid I might have missed something important. In some cases the details were so “detailed” it distracted me from the story.
Despite this, Iron Flame fully deserves the five stars. Highly recommend it.
