Robin Goodfellow's Blog, page 18

A Bargain in Silver by Josie Jaffrey

A Bargain in Silver, by Josie Jaffrey, is a paranormal romance that deals with the turmoils between passion and freedom.

Emilia is a bartender who encounters a horrific creature one night. She’s saved by a mysterious stranger named Andrew, who later reveals himself to be a creature called the Silver. She manages to escape both he and the ruler named Solomon, finding solace in her friends. She lived with them briefly, before getting caught again by Andrew and is suddenly thrown into the dark world of the Silver. As she attempts to navigate this new society, she soon finds herself torn between two men, both of whom are caught attempting to claim her, both body and soul. Jaffrey crafts a compelling tale about a woman who fights her inner demons, all the while reminding us that no one is who they seem.

I loved Emilia. She isn’t like other protagonists in paranormal romance. She has her own mind and ideas, and while she was tempted, she didn’t allow either Solomon or Andrew to gain complete control over her. She made decisions that actually made sense. And while she could be a bit reckless at times, it’s clear she has a good heart, and will place her loved ones over love interests. She’s like Bella from Twilight, but better. What’s more, she stands out from other characters, such as Alice, and even Solomon and Andrew. She stands by her decisions, and will see them through, no matter how messy things get.

The theme of control kept appearing throughout the book. When the Weepers marched in, it was Solomon who stepped in and enslaved humanity. Though he was brutally honest with Emilia, she had a point; though humanity was protected, they were treated as little more than cattle. When Emilia was faced with the darkness of Silver society, both Solomon and Andrew tried to lead her to them, which, of course, failed. And eventually, when Benedict grew hungry for power, he attempted to take control of both the Silver and humanity in the crudest way possible. Whether it be through a hierarchy, to the natural order, it’s clear that humans and vampires value it. Before the Weepers came in, people wanted to protect their own perspectives, their beliefs. And it’s this very concept that Emilia, Andrew, Solomon, and even the side characters get behind. After all, no one wants to be a lamb to the slaughter.

A Bargain in Silver has a lot of wonderful qualities, and I’m definitely curious as to what will happen in the series. From the dark, dystopian romance, to the themes of control and dominance, it had me hooked. As such, I would give this book a 4.8 out of 5.0 stars, and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys dystopian romances, dark romances, and post-apocalyptic fiction.

Back from Hiatus

Hi everyone.

As you may or may not know, I’ve stopped posting book reviews, and corresponding to emails for about a year and a half. The reason why was because I was burnt out and I had to take a break from all the stress. What’s more, I was getting ready to go to medical school and the course load increased. As a result, I didn’t have enough time to dedicate to Hollies, Happiness, and Healing.

However, after a change of career paths, as well as a brief mental breakdown, I’m now ready to return as a book reviewer. There are changes though. Any requests made after March of 2018 is subjected to these changes.

Requests made after March 2018, reviews will be charged the following:

Short Stories (7,500 words and under) – $5.00
Novelettes (7,500 to 20,000 words) – $15.00
Novellas (20,000 to 40,000 words) – $25.00
Novel (40,000 to 80,000 words) – $35.00
Epics (80,000 words and more) – $45.00
Poetry collections are $7.50

 

For editing services, I charge $.005 per word.

 

For any requests I’ve accepted before March 2018, I will continue doing these for free. I apologize for any inconveniences I’ve caused. Once again, I am ready to go back to book reviewing, and I look forward to reading your works!

Book Review for The Shinigami Tomes Vol. 1: A Prayer for the Necromancer by C. Wain

The Shinigami Tomes Vol. 1: A Prayer for the Necromancer, by C. Wain, is an epic fantasy about setting aside your hatred aside, and retaining your humanity in the midst of the dead.

Kaze is the last of the House of Niss, a royal family of necromancers, and is out for revenge against his father’s killer. When he goes to the village of Traqui to meet one of his former servants, he meets a young woman named Aline, whom he subsequently becomes infatuated with. But when a horde of ghouls attacks the village and kills Aline, Kaze must do whatever it takes to give her back her life, even if it means ending his. Meanwhile, the corrupt King Frizas has trampled over everyone in order to get to his throne. But when he realizes the power that the blood tome carries, the king will stop at nothing to achieve that power, even if it means gutting down anyone staring against him, whether they be enemies, allies, or even friends. Wain delves into the mythical world of the Shinigami in order to show just how human the characters can be.

I liked reading about Kaze and Aline’s relationship. Despite everything that’d happened before, Kaze still managed to find some stability in that morally dubious life of his. Through the tragedies he’s suffered through, and the bloodstained legacy he’s left with, at the very least he’s able to find some happiness. What’s more, the fact that both he and Aline are bound together through his undead heart is rather romantic, if not a bit morbid. It relates to a recurring concept within the book, that life and death are solely entertained; after all, one cannot survive without the other, not in humans.

The fact that Kaze became a demi-ghoul in the story was interesting. When the book begins, Wain introduces these ghouls as those who would destroy anything in their path. For lack of better words, these creatures bathe in the blood of everyone they meet, innocent or not, and would not hesitate to mutilate those unfortunate enough to come their way. When Kaze becomes apart of these creatures, I’ll admit; I was rather disgusted. However, Kaze has oftentimes danced with Death, right up to the very edge. So it wasn’t particularly surprising. The same could be said for any creature that’s been forced to throw their own humanity away. Because after all, in order to reaffirm what you are, you have to become something more, something inhuman.

I especially enjoyed the narration of the story. It’s keeps going from past to present, all the while forcing me to ask more questions about what’s going to come next, and what will happen later on. What’s more, it gives a sense of urgency to the story, whether it be if King Frizas manages to achieve his goal n the end, or the various fight scenes that Kaze has to do. And while there were times there were cheesy elements in the story, in the end, I fell in love with it all the same.

Personally, I found this book curiously lovable. I play Skyrim, and indulge in other fantastical pursuits, I considered necromancers evil, or anti-heroes, at best. Generally speaking, I didn’t think they could resurface to the human world once they’ve given themselves up for their more supernatural pursuits. However, I’m glad to say that Kaze proved me wrong. It doesn’t hurt that the book has an enjoyable plot and storyline. As such, I would give this book a 4.2 out of 5.0 stars, and would recommend it to those who enjoy fantasies in general.

Book Review for The Shadow and the Rose by Amanda DeWees

The Shadow of the Rose, by Amanda DeWees, is an enchanting young adult romance about what it means to love someone, even with all the supernatural obstacles in the way.

Joy Sumner knows she isn’t talented like all the other students, even though she goes to Ash Grove High School, a school for those gifted in performing arts. Even the principle, who has always supported her, sometimes doubts her ability. However, when she goes to the grave of the school’s founder to pluck a rose, based on a rather reckless dare, she meets a young man. It’s seemingly love at first sight, but when she realizes that he is trapped under the thumb of a mysterious yet powerful monster, Joy must find a way to free him of his imprisonment before it’s too late. It’s a classic fairytale in the guise of a modern romance, as DeWees spins of story filled with love and magic.

I can resonate with Joy, even if it was only for a little while. She had self-esteem issues, and although she was kind to others, she was also a target for bullying and the like. After all, a lot of people have asked themselves why she was even at Ash Grove, despite the fact that she tries her hardest. Even so, she still manages to pull through. And when Tanner comes into her life, it’s almost like a dream come true for her. Then there’s her friend, Maddie, who offers a more cynical world view of everything. To be honest, I’d be like her in a sense towards others, especially when I don’t know the situation. While I wouldn’t go as far as misandry, I still can’t help but view her jaded view as more realistic. After all, her best friend just got knocked up by a boy who hasn’t even contacted her the past year, so it’s understandable she might think that. Still, I was happy that Tanner and Joy got together. It was a relief, actually.

The use of beauty in the story was well executed. The rose garden that Joy and Tanner stumbled upon can represent true beauty, mesmerizing, and loving in all its glory. Despite that, the rose is also shrouded in secrecy, and in a way, represents the simple fact that true beauty is something you can’t see. On the other hand, there’s Melisande, who’s outward beauty is shown. However, she’s a rather cruel woman who would throw anyone away, if only it meant that she could live youthfully forever. The same could be said of Shelia and Joy. Although Joy states that she’s plain looking, Tanner, as well as others, could see the beauty inside her, while Shelia is rather shallow, and thus, everyone avoids her. The theme that true beauty is hidden is repeated again even with the school, how positive energies are used to help further the talents of the students. It’s an interesting parallel that goes together with age-old fairytale concepts, and one that I thoroughly enjoyed.

The book was a wonderful read. DeWees reminds readers that there is beauty in the world, even if it doesn’t seem like it at first. What’s more, though there is the prospect of a happy ending, it still takes on a realistic viewpoint, one that reaches out to different readers. As such, I would give this book a rating of a 4.7 out of 5.0 stars, and would recommend it to those who enjoy stories by Gail Levine Carson and Sally Gardner.

Book Review for The Lovelock by Eichin Chang-Lim

The Lovelock, by Eichin Chang-Lim, is a heartbreaking romance about two people, both of whom had deep, horrific connections with Death.

The book is separated in six parts. Part I introduces Violet, and the struggles she has in coping with her sister’s cancer. However, she meets a boy named Dylan, who has lost his mother to cancer. Part II goes into detail about Violet’s life, and how hard she’s trying to make it as an actress, despite her profession and her past. In Part III, Dylan finally comes back from Peace Corps to try and find Violet again. It all comes to a head when he gets into a car accident and is nursed back to health by Tess, whom he laters marries in an alcohol-fueled night. In Part IV, Violet succumbs to her depression, and almost ends her life, only to be saved by her friends in the end, as well as Amber. In Part V, both Dylan and Violet finally meet, only for Violet to run away and face her past. In Part VI, Violet and Dylan finally get back together, despite the heartbreak they’ve experienced.

Violet was a character I particularly resonated with. I know what it feels like to have a parent who has depression, and while her dad did try to help cover for her mother, in the end, it just wasn’t enough. It’s partially the reason why she came to love Dylan the way she did; he had a similar connection to her. Through pain and loss, they were able to stand with each other. That changed with their parents though. It was through their mistakes that Dylan and Violet ended up losing each other. At the same time, while I was happy they were growing up, there was still that big hole in their lives, that very hole that came with missing each other. Even when Dylan wanted to see her, he couldn’t; Tess was someone he had to care for, and though he didn’t love her, he still had compassion for her. To be honest, they’ve been through a lot. While I did understand how Dylan felt trapped in the marriage, in the end, I was happy that Tess’s final words still resonated with him.

The concept of grief was embedded within the pages. The sorrow of losing a cherished family member, and then members, in one fell swoop, as well as the fact that one was moving on, leaving the other behind; it was something that not a lot of people could deal with, much less move on from. It seemed like they kept grieving throughout their lives, but it was like, in the end, they still managed to find each other. It’s ironic in a sense, that Tess’s death was the motivating factor that Dylan needed to move on. Despite all the tragedy in the book, it really did seem like their marriage was a good one, despite the struggles they’ve had in the past.

I enjoyed the book. The characters dealt with fear of the future, and grief, and how everything was just spiraling out of control. Still, the two managed to find each other again in the end, despite all the heartbreak they’ve been through. Chang-Lim had written an enchanting story about what it means to be in love with someone through your entire life, and the beauty that comes with it. As such, I would give this book a 4.5 out of 5.0 stars, and would recommend it to those who enjoy The Simple Soul of Susan by Noel Branham, and The Shadow and the Rose by Amanda DeWee.

Book Review for Miss Mabel’s School for Girls by Katie Cross

Miss Mabel’s School for Girls, by Katie Cross, is a young adult fantasy about a girl who must overcome the shadows of the past to save both herself and her family.

Bianca is a young, talented witch who had recently been admitted to a talented school where young witches hone their craft. When the opportunity to meet Miss Mabel through a competition arises, Bianca decides to compete, if only to try to get Miss Mabel to remove a curse that’s been plaguing her family. However, not everything is as it seems, and soon, what starts off as a friendly competition evolves into a complex plot filled with scandal and corruption. Cross delves into a world where the darker world of politics is masked by the glittering, whimsical world of magic, and where nothing, after all, is as it seems.

Bianca was determined, if not downright stubborn. She wasn’t going to allow her family to suffer, but more than anything, she wasn’t going to allow her life to be robbed from her for something she didn’t do. The past is complicated however, and for a while, I thought Bianca was going to give into the pressures of the school. Still, I was happy when she managed to pull through, as well as make some good friends along the way. It’s because of this that I also have to pay homage to Leda; she’s a bookworm, and though she’s a bit antisocial, I could relate to her. It’s ironic though, how she took such an interest in politics when, as it turns out, the very school itself was entrenched in a political scandal. Then again, she does have the curse of foresight.

Then there were the antagonists of the story. I couldn’t stand Priscilla, simply because of how vain she seemed. She, of course, was nothing compared to Miss Mabel, who was literally training Bianca to assassinate the High Priestess. Miss Mabel would do anything at all if that meant securing Bianca’s loyalty. And while Priscilla was just a bully with little to no powers, Miss Mabel was still the main antagonist of the story. She was driven by a lust for power, perhaps even revenge, for what’d happened in the past.

It’s funny, in a sense. Both Bianca and Miss Mabel were perhaps driven by what’d happened in the past. For instance, it was Bianca’s grandmother, Hazel, who led the rebellion against the former High Priestess, but was cursed in the aftermath. Miss Mabel, on the other hand was influenced, at least partly, by what’d happened to her own grandmother. And while the two are incredibly powerful witches, it’s Bianca who would risk herself to save her family and friends, and Miss Mabel who would give everything up for power. I guess that’s why Miss Mabel wanted Bianca so badly; not only did she see the potential, but she saw a bit of herself in Bianca.

The concept of ‘not everything is as it seems’ kept reappearing over and over in the book. The competition, during the time Bianca was Miss Mabel’s assistant, and even towards the ending; each arc within the book was just another build up for more serious concepts, one that turned a young adult novel into a fantasy epic. Whenever I read these developments, I couldn’t help but feel a bit on edge, just waiting to see what would happen.

Miss Mabel’s School for Girls is an excellent fantasy that dives into the world of curses and scandal. Cross entertains the notions of a normal young adult book, before finally turning it over its head. The details were excellent, and I did feel as though I was in a school for witches. As such, I would give this book a rating of a 4.4 out of 5.0 stars, and would recommend it to those who enjoy J.K Rowling, as well as epic fantasies in general.

Book Review for They Feed by Jason Parent

They Feed, by Jason Parent, is a horror story about how, despite everything we do to try and convince ourselves we’re justified in our actions, we still suffer the same consequences as everyone else, whether we know it or not, and that Death will always come for us.

Tyler had recently shot and injured a young man. Just as he was dying, the young man had said that they were after him, that he had to escape. Unfortunately however, was arrested for his murder and sentenced to prison. After serving six years in the Wichita State Penitentiary, he returns to the place where he shot that same man, only to stumble across a strange woman named Dakota. But what starts off as a dark act of judgement turns into something more when the two realize they’re being hunted. As bodies start piling up, and more people succumb to the predators that feed on them, Tyler, Dakota, and the others must try to find a way out of the nightmare they’ve unknowingly trapped themselves in. Parent describes a hell where everyone, both good and bad, and that, no matter how invincible you may seem, you’ll still be dragged under.

At first, I felt a bit sorry for Tyler. He was raised in an abusive home, and was in prison for being blamed for a crime he didn’t commit. After he comes back, he gets kidnapped by Dakota, a woman who seems unable to take responsibility for her own actions, even if it meant dishonoring her brother’s memory. And finally, when he gets just a sliver of peace through people like Charlie and Frosh, I realize the awful truth of what he truly was, and what he’d been doing. I was shocked, simply because I thought he was innocent. But even then, he isn’t spared from that. Then of course, there were the normals of the story, such as Abigail and Karl, and even Mark, in a sense. I cheered internally when Mark had died, as well as when Abigail had finally escaped. I even danced a little when Dakota was implied to have escaped. It was like the sins of a previous generation coming to haunt the new one, though I guess I try to rationalize that whoever died was an evil in society that needed to be removed.

The creatures themselves were a bit abnormal. In my mind, I kept picturing them as leeches, though Parent describes them in a more horrific manner. They lure their prey to them by imitating their loved ones, such as in the case of both Tyler and Abigail. In a way, it kind of reminded me of Stephen King’s Pennywise, where the children keep saying, “We all float down here.” Because yes, I do want to get shot and join an army of leeches bent on eating everyone in the world.

Overall, the book was a good read. Despite some instances where there were a few horror cliches, Parent executed a stream of constant questions of morality and immaturity. He creates scenes where you almost suffocate, where you can’t help but wonder just who it was that looks out for these people. As such, I would give this book a 4.0 out of 5.0 stars, and would recommend it to those who enjoy Tell Me When I’m Dead by Steven Ramirez and The Girl of Glass by Megan O’ Russell.

Book Review for Owl Eyes by Molly Lazer

Owl Eyes, by Molly Lazer, is a dark fantasy novel about learning who you are, and knowing who your real family is.

Nora is an orphan living as a servant under Sir Alcander. When she overhears that her father is living in the main house, she decides to investigate the claim herself. When she realizes that there is more to her birth story than what meets the eye, she, alongside her childhood friend, Jack, must uncover the truth of what had happened. But when she does find this truth, she must decide between taking vengeance against all those who robbed her of her birth right, and finding solace in the family she already has. In this twisted fairytale, Lazer shows what it truly means to earn your happy end, and the sacrifices you must endure to survive.

Nora was a complex character that I loved reading about. What started off as her being only curious turned into something truly wicked. What’s more, the fact that she inherently followed in her mother’s footsteps, and had even almost given into her hatred, contrasted to the pure, moral girls that would usually appear in these fairytales. She was driven by the need to find her family, and though it almost led her down the wrong path, she was eventually able to find her way. I enjoyed reading about Jack as well, and how he remained a sort of humanizing anchor for Nora. Even during her darkest moments, he managed to remind her of what it meant to be human, to be kind.

The hatred passed down from parent to child was an idea that was repeated over and over again throughout the book. The fact that Sir Alcander had taken out his hatred against his child was horrific, to say the least. At the same time, it was Liana’s own beliefs that led her to take her son and practically flee the Vale, despite many telling her otherwise. And finally, it was Nora’s own mother who had unknowingly passed down her blood magic to her daughter, a magic that flourishes on the suffering of other living beings. Still, the characters managed to find solace within happiness they already had (save for the villains). In other words, the children shouldn’t be punished for the sins of the parent.

The book was an excellent read that had dark, fantastical elements intertwined within the pages. Lazer had created a heroine who had little knowledge about the outside world and morality, a character who was easily led astray by her own emotions. What’s more, incorporating elements such as blood magic adds a layer of darkness to the story, something that I fell in love with. As such, I would give this book a rating of a 4.4 out of 5.0 stars, and would recommend it to fans of Milk Teeth and Other Fairy Tales with Bite by Lizella Prescott and Feasts of Fates by Christian A. Brown.

Book Review for The Simple Soul of Susan by Noel Branham

The Simple Soul of Susan, by Noel Branham, is a heartwarming story about two teenagers who struggle with their emotions before finally finding their own happy ending.

Susan Combs is a young woman in high school who has fallen in love with her best friend; Calder Hurtz. However, because of how perfect he seems, and how plain she is, Susan doesn’t confess her feelings. But with the constant attention Calder gets from other girls, and what appears to be Calder’s own feelings, Susan soon casts the thoughts aside, only to attract the attention of the town’s bad boy, John. As time goes on, Susan and Calder both realize they can’t stay the same forever, and neither can their relationship. Branham weaves an endearing Southern romance about how hard young love can be, and why, no matter hard it may seem, everyone needs to move on with their life.

I found Susan incredibly memorable. Despite everyone calling her plain and unambitious, Susan was a kindhearted girl who did everything she could to take care of her family. She displayed a level of maturity that couldn’t be found anywhere else in the book; from taking care of her father, to helping her childhood friend’s mother, to even spending time with the ladies in the nursing home, throughout the entire novel, I kept thinking of how she deserved better. And then there was Calder, a boy who reacted so impulsively I wasn’t even sure I wanted Susan to be with him. I was just so protective of her.Calder I almost preferred John, but when he left for college, he matured in a way that was, at the very least, on parr with Susan. Despite their relationship being just a tad bit cheesy, the ending was still satisfying nonetheless.

It was a small town romance, but there was a magical realism to it. It and all the aspects of a high school romance, but at the same time, it also deals with the tough subjects about end of life, and love, and family. The fact that Susan didn’t want her father to be alone was noble of her, because she didn’t want to be left alone to the whims of the world. At the same time, her reasoning for why she didn’t want them to be forgotten was insightful. After all, everyone wants to think about the youth of their lives, of when they once perceived themselves to be important. But despite everything, death still lingers, and the fact that Susan knew they just wanted to make more of an impact on other people before finally dying is something to be said about her own character. Even Calder got on my nerves at times, what with his treatment of her. Still, in the end, even he recognized this importance.

The Simple Soul of Susan was rather a refreshing read. There was an essence of magic found within each of the words, despite the fact that it seemed simple on the outside. There were so many elements revolving around a high school romance, and one that I particularly loved. As such, I would give this book a rating of a 4.5 out of 5.0 stars, and would recommend it to fans such as Summer Seventeen and You by Sara Daniell and The Royal Teashop series by Ginny Clyde.

Book Review for A Gentleman’s Bidding: The Scarlet Salon by Jean Wilde

A Gentleman’s Bidding: The Scarlet Salon, by Jean Wilde, is a historical romance about a young woman who will do everything it takes to save her family from financial ruin, and a man who had found love in the strangest of places.

Emily Price had recently come into financial troubles, and as such, had to go to the Scarlet Salon, a brothel, in order to auction off her virginity. She learned about sex from the other prostitutes, and is now ready to make sure she secures a deal that not only helps her family, but herself as well. James Hughes is the son of nobles, and is looking for some distraction after the busy Season in London. After his friend convinced him, he decides to attend an auction at the Scarlet Salon, if only for a bit of sinful pleasure. When these two meet, what ensues is a romance filled with sex, scandal, and eventually, true love and compassion.

When I first read about Emily and James, it was like reading about first love. Aside from the hot, yet somewhat cliche sex, I was happy the author had incorporated that concept into the novel. While we tend to think of first love as innocent, pure even, there are instances where that love can blossom in the most unusual places, even in a brothel. When James had paid such a large sum for Emily to stay with him, I was rather shocked. I kept asking to myself how long before that love for her faded too. Even so, I was relieved that they were still together in the end. I was also enchanted by Annabelle and Mr. Turner’s relationship. Again, it had the same fairytale like quality that Emily and James had, though of course, with a more childlike nature to it.

The Scarlet Salon itself showed readers a glimpse of what young women would do when they fell from grace. While some manage to support themselves using skills like sewing and teaching, others might not have those skills, and would have to turn to brothels. Still, despite their backstories, they’ve eventually managed to become businesswomen in their own right. It’d even gotten to the point where women like Genevieve could choose for themselves whether or not they would want to rely on a man. Wealthy clients like James Hughes and Alex can even guarantee the safety of these women, as long as they’re careful, and they plan. Even so, it’s fleeting. The women acknowledge that things like wealth and beauty aren’t permanent, and that in the end, there victims of a society that neither wants, nor cares for their plight. Still, it’s a kind of fairytale in the end, to think that their Prince Charming would come and rescue them from the streets.

Overall, the book was a good book. Despite the erotic scenes the book has, there is a childish magic in the tone that made me think of a fairytale. The relationships between the characters were wonderful to read, and the concepts all revolved around the simple fact that there’s still love in the world, however cruel it may seem. As such, I would give the book a rating of a 4.6 out of 5.0 stars, and would recommend it to those who enjoy historical and erotic romances in general.