Robin Goodfellow's Blog, page 20
April 30, 2018
Masquerade
Long ago, there was a witch who brought the aristocracy to its knees. Blood sacrifices, massacres, and slavery flourished under her reign. However, a fearless hero rallied the nobles and defeated the witch, bringing about an era of peace. Even to this day, he is loved by all.
Rose is a young woman attending a party to celebrate the anniversary of when the aristocracy was liberated from the witch’s control. Nikolai is the hero that everyone adores. But even so, a dark obsession lingers between the two of them, all in the form of a bloody kiss that’d happened so many years ago.
You can get the book here.
Book Review for Immortals’ Requiem by Vincent Bobbe
Immortals’ Requiem, by Vincent Bobbe, is a dark fantasy about an infestation that destroys humanity, with morale and justice submitting to the earth’s own corrupt magic.
Camhlaidh is a young elf who is disappointed with the state of the world. He meets a strange tattooed man, who later is revealed to be the savior of humanity. Samuel Autumn is a simple business that was attacked in the middle of the night, which manifests into a darkness that he is almost forced to succumb to. Mark is a mercenary that hunts down fairies indiscriminately, all the while burdened with the task of saving his soulmate from dying again. In the middle of this chaos is an evil that will do whatever it takes to control this world. In this epic fantasy novel, Bobbe shows what it means to actually give up everything for the sake of a world you might not even believe in.
The characters were realistic, to say the least. They each had their own unique flaws, fitting somewhere between the spectrum of good and evil, with Cuí Roí being the ultimate evil, and Grínmir being the ultimate good. I feel that, in this case, Cam fit right into the shades of grey, because while he sees the evil that humanity has spread within the world, that the magic was slowly dying in this world, at the very least, he tried to do something to stop it. He had his own emotional burdens, but he somehow managed to make it through to the very end, however tragic that was for him. Then of course, there’s Marcus, who, at first seemed like a cold-blooded killer, later turned out to be a heartbroken man that was cursed with immorality, who merely wants to save his beloved from dying over and over again. As I read through the pages, I could feel him being broken down until all that’s left was his desire to want to die. Out of the cast of characters here, these two had impacted me in a way that was memorable.
I also found the choice of the book spanning over a few days to be quite interesting as well. Bobbe showed just how quickly so many lives could be ruined, just in the blink of an eye. It reminds me of what Batman’s Joker had kept saying before, of how it takes just one bad day to ruin the rest of your life.
There were many themes presented in the book, but what I found most intriguing was Samuel’s fall. Here he was, just this man who was completely content with his life when he succumbed to the disease that Cuí Roí infected him with. He slowly started to morph into the monster that he practically hated, and yet, with that power, he had given into his baser instincts. It’s a concept that I’ve seen over and over again, and one that I can’t help but adore.
Bobbe had illustrated a dark kaleidoscope of themes that gave way to the massacre of innocents. From a power-hungry monster that wants to subjugate others, to the decaying magic throughout the earth, this story was basically an inevitable apocalypse that was waiting for the right moment to appear. It shows just how fragile every living thing is, and how, despite how heroic we may appear, we suffer from the same flaws as the villain. As such, I would give this book a 4.0 out of 5.0 stars, and would recommend it to fans of The Muse by Arjay Lewis and The Arena: Omnibus by Michael Withrow.
April 20, 2018
Book Review for Garden Walks: Hand in Hand by Gary W. Burns
Garden Walks: Hand in Hand, by Gary W. Burns, is a book of poetry about the iridescence of new beginnings, despite knowing that it has to end.
The book is separated into five parts. Colorful Blooms describes the start of youth, of freedom, a time of when reckless emotions were the pinnacle of our childhood. This Backyard Garden illustrates the delights of staying in a backyard, where friendships and other companionships are born. Garden Paths is about how people from every walk of life can sometimes come together, only to move on with their lives. Seasons Cascading shows us that when time passes, that with all the elegance that we may have, people still see us for our true selves. In Perennial Days, we come to the end of our lives, and it shows us that faith and devotion are one of the most important in what we consider life.
Never once did I think that spring could embody so much. From the different flowers that represent the stages in our lives, to the elegance of the season itself, it’s something that I can’t help but fall in love with. There are different emotions that I first saw when I read each of these poems, from knowing that this would all come to an end, and yet still choosing to live in the moment; it takes a certain kind of resolve to do that, one that a lot of us take for granted.
Burns forced me to look at things in another perspective, all the while introducing new ideas and interweaving them into age old concepts. As such, I would give this book a 4.0 out of 5.0 stars, and would recommend it to those who enjoy The Heart’s Lullaby by Natalie Ducey and Meaningless Destruction by Shannan Mitchener.
The Lady in the Moonlight by Lathish Shankar
The Lady in the Moonlight, by Lathish Shankar, is a collection of five short vignettes, both of which intertwine love and death in a way that’s absolutely stunning.
Each story takes on a life of its own, as each character recalls their bittersweet past, only to find themselves slowly falling off the boundary of reality. From a lost love longing for her beloved back, to a young man who never fully lived until he lost his partner to society, each of the words are laced with an elegant sorrow that seem to take on a life of their own. It’s enchanting as it is dark, as readers will enjoy the author’s characters in their brief, yet beautiful lives.
The concepts are morbid, as well as determined to show the degradation of love, whether it be romantic or familial. One of the stories that stuck out to me was “Goodbye Papa.” The main protagonist had Parkinson’s, and because of that, he wasn’t able to do anything. His family didn’t love him, simply because he couldn’t do anything. In other words, he was being sentenced to death by the very people that were supposed to care about him.
Nonetheless, the book wasn’t perfect. The syntax could use a bit of work, and I would’ve liked the stories to be a bit more fleshed out. Still, the book was enjoyable. I liked the twists and turns of the vignettes, and that it emphasized on the pain of dancing near the edge of death. As such, I would give the book a rating of a 3.5 out of 5.0 stars, and recommend it to those who enjoy the darker side of literature.
April 19, 2018
Book Review for Heart of the White Dove: Journeys to the Light by Pam Sears
Heart of the White Dove: Journeys to the Light, by Pam Sears, is a poetry collection about finding yourself throughout life’s turbulent trials, no matter how difficult.
The book is separated into seven parts. My Story is about learning from past mistakes and going with the ever-changing flow of life, despite everything that comes your way. Muddy Footprints is about moving forward, even if the path isn’t clear to you. Maiden and the Knight paints the picture of a fairy tale romance, though with an odd twist to it. Travels of Otter Woman shows that we are all connected through nature, and as such, should treat it with respect. Family is about overcoming your difficulties through persevering, and Legs of Steel emulates similar values. However, the final part, Listening to the Inner Voice delves into what it truly means to be human, that there’s something inside us, even though other people may say otherwise. Sears is a poet who has taken to falling in love with every aspect of life, not just humanity or the earth, but spirituality and emotions as well, and as such, shows the reader her passions through this beautiful collection.
While the poems in the collection were good, what really got me were the stories. My father works as radiation therapist, and as such, would take me to his hospital to see what he did on his job. He worked with cancer patients, but when I saw someone suffering from breast cancer, a cancer that had managed to metastasized to her brain, I couldn’t help but think for a moment. It made the poet’s fight with breast cancer that much more impactful, because while my father’s patient died, the poet’s still living. Yet another piece that I couldn’t help but be touched by was in the last part, when she was working with an Alzheimer’s patient. Despite everything that’s happened, there’s still some part of the patient left, and while others may see an inconvenience, the poet noticed that there were still remnants of a soul left. It showed the struggles that humanity faced, and that we’re still stronger than we think we are.
The works in this collection ranged from inspiring, to humorous, to sometimes even sorrowful. Even so, it was a beautiful collection that touched me, not only because I understood these experiences, but also because of the lessons within them, lessons I hadn’t experienced yet. Because of this, I would give this book a 4.8 out of 5 stars, and would recommend it to those who love poetry in general.
April 18, 2018
Book Review for Out of Body by Christopher John Chater
Out of Body, by Christopher John Chater, is a horror romance that, through Harley, tells the story of a bloodstained legacy filled with demonic possession, bittersweet humor, and sacrifice.
Harley is a college student who is obsessed with death, especially astral plane. He manages to move into the plane and explores the wonders of being without a body. However, when he returns, he finds a demon named Horace possessing his body. After a humorous day of following Horace around, including seeing it acing a test and wooing the girl of his dreams, Harley finds out about a dark satanic cult he has mysterious connections to. Relying on his friend, Stephanie, he faces off against his family’s dark legacy, while trying to not get consumed in the process.
I liked the development between Stephanie and Harley. Not only did Chater show why the two fit together, but he also demonstrates the actions they are willing to go for their loved ones. The relationship is, ironically, more realistic than most of the relationships I read in romance novels. The atmosphere also had a sick sense of humor that I found endearing. The relationship between Harley and Darren, the somewhat awkward crush between he and Stephanie, and finally, the sickening connection Harley shares with Horace adds to the growing character development Harley has. As he follows the macabre clues and tries to warn his friends, he cracks through that eerie peaceful air, and follows the nightmare below. The air correlated with the cult that Horace leads, promising peace through death, and it was something I enjoyed in the story.
I did wish the ending would have clearer and more fleshed out; I would’ve loved to see what happened to Darren and Stephanie. Nonetheless, this was a good read, filled with humor and horror, along with an eerie sense of peace. I would give this book a rating of a 3.8 out of 5 stars, and would recommend this to readers who enjoy the decadence of the rich.
Book Review for Shadow Wings (Saga of the Guardians) by Anna Holloway
Shadow Wings, by Anna Holloway, is a paranormal romance that deals with not being able to have someone fully, as the characters sacrifice their idealistic future so that they can protect their friends and family.
Myra Dean is a tattoo artist whose family was slaughtered when she was little. One day, she comes to work and meets Cross, her boss’s son. Immediately, the two are attracted to one another, leading Cross to question whether or not she was his real mate. However, when it is revealed that Myra is half angel, half vampire hybrid, and that another one of her protectors, Blaze, shared her as a mate, Myra is forced to rely on the two for protection, as she tries to protect her loved ones.
To be honest, the book reminded me of those old Gothic stories, what with the isolated setting, the dark, mysterious love interests, and the supernatural horrors. While it might not be as gory, it does certainly have an archaic feel to it. Myra is trapped between two handsome men, both of whom are ready to give their lives for her, both of whom with their own, unique strengths and weaknesses. The two men give Myra the character development she needs so that she can grow to become someone she herself can be proud of. But despite this wonderful dynamic, I couldn’t help but be drawn to Malach. I liked his psychotic personality, and though he wasn’t attractive in any shape or form, I loved his motives. When he begged Myra to show him glimpses of his old home, even she felt for him, so much so that she asked both Blaze and Cross never to leave her.
Which leads me to a theme Holloway had emphasized in the book; finding a home. When Myra loses her family, it was almost like she was ripped out from the the world she was supposed to know, the life she needed to have. However, by meeting Cross and Blaze she reconnected with that world again. Malach, however, doesn’t have that luxury. He was willing to descend further into degradation, if only to go back to a place that some part of him knows he can never belong to. While I wished the exact relationship between Malach and Myra could be fleshed out a bit more, I loved that part of the book.
Overall, I would give this book a rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars. What seemed like just a love triangle became something more complex. It isn’t conventional, but all the same, the conflicts between the characters are realistic and developed. The theme of finding a home was also well executed. Thus, I would recommend this book to those who are fans of Stephanie Meyer and L.J. Smith.
April 17, 2018
Book Review for Enlightened Fire (Volume 4) by V. K. Walker
Enlightened Fire, by V.K. Walker, is a paranormal romance about two lovers who endeavor to overcome their own arrogance as they try to save each other, as well as themselves.
Vaxon was a former hunter who was infected by a Forsaken, a creature that dwells on bloodlust and murder, which causes his mind to slowly merge with that of a monster. He lives in a lonely cabin with only his eroding mind for company, as he desperately clings to his humanity. Meanwhile, Chalia is tucked safely away at a rehabilitation spa, comfortably nestled in drugs and silence. When she receives a call from Kayala, she is tasked with a mission to bring Vaxon back, so that Taha’an can learn all they can about his condition and hopefully to try to save another hunter who had been infected. Through a series of awkward events, Vaxon and Chalia form a close relationship that can neither secure nor promise their budding love for each other. Still, they try to save one another, no matter how horrifying their mistakes were.
I liked the complexities surrounding Vaxon and Chalia. Both had let their pride ruin them years ago, and it’s something they bonded over. I especially loved seeing Vaxon deal with his psychotic virus, and how he had to rely on Chalia for some semblance of his human self. The fact that he was afraid of hurting her made their relationship all the more endearing. I also loved how the book delves into the idea of facing your fears. Chalia was so horrified from her mistake that she sentenced herself to seven years of isolation, even though she knew that people were dying. Vaxon couldn’t handle where his hubris had left him, so he forced himself to endure the confrontations on his own without any support. Still, they manage to overcome their obstacles by using the other as a refuge, all the while saving others. They were able to face what crippled them the most, and it was through that did their characters grow.
Overall, I would give this book a rating of a 3.9 out of 5 stars. Walker created a world where these two thrived from being together, and though it may seem nightmarish at times, Walker reassured me that they will come back to each other. Thus, I would recommend it to fans of gritty, paranormal romances.
Book Review for The Last Valentine by Felix Alexander
The Last Valentine, by Felix Alexander, is an enchanting tale that shows the true depths of forbidden love, all of which began with a mysterious murderer who sought to extinguish it.
Olivia and her best friend, Isaac, discover a love letter that was stolen from a corpse found on the streets. After determining that the letter belongs in the Labyrinth of Love, a secret, mythical place where only true lovers meet, the two decide to seek out the entrance. As the story continues, it is revealed that Isaac is in love with Olivia. However, through Armando’s insistence, the Keeper of the entrance of the Labyrinth, he decides to only write his feelings for Olivia down in letters, all the while supporting her and her relationship. Meanwhile, the adults continue to weave through elaborate love triangles from a bloody massacre of weapons and words. The battlefield leaves their victims little more than an empty husk of themselves, domineered by the deception of what could have been.
I loved how Alexander showed how intricate the characters’ views on love were. Whether it be unrequited, forbidden, or otherwise, Alexander illustrates just how enticing the emotion could be. It was almost painful, seeing how Isaac supported his best friend’s relationship, just as it was when I read about the countless number of lives affected by similar emotions, if only to preserve the illusion of a perfect society. Though the ending was a bit bittersweet, it was beguiling nonetheless.
The way love was portrayed in the book was also incredibly unique. The Labyrinth of Love reminded me of all of history’s most beautiful romances, from Mark Antony and Cleopatra, to Lancelot and Guinevere. Why Eros decided to keep that library though, I would never know. Maybe it was just on a whim, or perhaps he was truly fascinated with how complex human relationships could be, but either way it was masterfully done. What’s more, I liked seeing Eros allowed Isaac to foster the growth of his feelings, rather than allow him to do anything brash. Although love itself can be confusing, that growth is what kept him from stumbling in the dark.
Overall, I liked the book. Alexander showed that despite a countless number of humanity’s faults, somehow its love remains innocent. The fact that Alexander also includes Eros in the story helps us not stray too far from the path. Thus, I give this book a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, and would recommend it to fans of Shakespeare and Charlotte Brontë.
April 16, 2018
Book Review for Embrace by E.K. Robbins
Embrace, by E.V. Robbins, is a paranormal romance about fighting against a nightmarish creature hell-bent on murdering the world, while searching for the edge between salvation and damnation.
Racy is a young woman who lives a simplistic life, dealing with her insufferable boss while contentedly spending time with her friends. However, that changes when she stumbles across a body in a co-worker’s house, then finds the same woman alive and well. When her friend, Cynthia, disappears one night, Racy is determined to find her, but meets the mysterious Stephen instead, a vampire who introduces her to the horrifying war between the Iscariots and the Kindred. With the body count slowly rising, Racy decides to learn how to fight against the Kindred in order to protect herself.
While making out with a vampire you just met might not seem like the best idea, I liked watching Racy in action. She’s a sensible character who wises up fast and learns how to become a bigger threat to the Kindred. She also cares for her friends, so much so she is willing to put herself at risk for their sakes. Stephen, meanwhile, is a bit more isolated than Racy is. Although he appears to be more mature than her, I have to say I wasn’t really interested reading about him as I was reading about the world surrounding him. Personally, I didn’t think the relationship between the two was necessarily bad, but I did feel like it was rushed. Nonetheless, they were enjoyable to read about.
I especially loved the idea of the Iscariots and the Kindred fighting. The two introduce a certain sanctity that I haven’t read in any other book. The concept of seeking out redemption when you don’t know if it’s possible is also interesting. In real life, a lot of people kept saying how humanity is evil, that we keep screwing things over if it would benefit our needs. However, clearly the monsters think differently; no matter what, human life is sacred, both adult and child.
That said, the book did have its detractors. There were errors littered throughout the novel, and as I’ve said before, I felt the relationship between Stephen and Racy was a bit rushed. I also would’ve liked to know more about the war between the Iscariots and the Kindred. However, because of the characters, as well as the idea of redemption, I liked the book. Thus, I would give this book a rating of a 3.9 out of 5 stars and would recommend it to fans of The Twilight Saga and Vampire Diaries.
