Robin Goodfellow's Blog, page 25

Book Review for Sleeping Village by Amy Balog

Sleeping Village, by Amy Balog, is a fantastical story about shattering the illusion of freedom and trying to learn more about the world around you, despite what others may think.

Klara is a young woman with an imaginative mind. She wished to become a teacher, but after failing to receive the Patronship for the fourth time, she decides to become a journalist for The Nurvote Gazeit, a local news outlet that allows her to write articles and come up with story ideas. However, when she comes across a conspiracy that could force her entire life to come crashing down, she must choose between staying in a world where everything is decided for her, or venture out into the unknown, if only to decimate a fading dream she held to for so long.

Klara reminds me of myself when I was younger. She didn’t want to be tethered to her society, where she’s expected to adhere to a set of rules that tend to put her down. She isn’t anything like what her mother and Reimund want her to be, because she hungers for something more than the life they can give her. It’s also the reason why she was able to make it as far as she did. She’s perceptive, and questions the world she lives in, finding cracks in the authority she was supposed to admire. She endeavors to do what she wants and not what others want from her. Thus, I didn’t like Reimund, or anyone else who endeavored stifling her. I couldn’t help but ask why they tried forcing her to see things their way, even though they say she clearly isn’t anything like the others. Whenever I saw Reimund, I couldn’t help but see Gaston from Beauty and the Beast; while the two might not exactly be the same, I was annoyed with him.

Balog eloquently conveys the differences between believing you’re free, and actually being free. The Leaders of her wretched world tried making themselves to be gods, even though they merely isolated everyone else. Whether that be out of fear, or greed, or pride, or even some twisted sense of love, I’ve no idea. The people that lived in this world followed these leaders like sheep to the slaughter, but somehow, Adele, her grandmother, and Klara spared themselves from that; even the editor of the Gazeit knew when he stumbled upon the actual truth. It coincides with the title of the book, Sleeping Village, where it seems that everyone is asleep, simply because they were so far removed from reality, like they were trapped in some strange dream. It also makes me wonder if Klara’s own vivid dreams show her trying to wake up, to see what was happening.

Because of this, I would give this book a rating of a 4.2 out of 5 stars. I did have a bit of trouble separating the boundaries between the dreams and being awake, though I admit it does add to the book’s charm. Klara’s character, as well as Balog’s illustration on what freedom truly is, help weave the story into an almost magical work of art in obtaining real freedom. I loved this book, and would recommend it to those who enjoy Beauty by Peter Liney, and At the Auction of the Ruby Slippers by Salman Rushdie.

Book Review for The Journal of Liv Theed by Jay Hollister

The Journal of Liv Theed, by Jay Hollister, is about a young woman who had fallen prey to the demons of her mind, and how faith brought her back.

The journal begins with a girl named Liv Theed, who suffers from severe hallucinations that has her parents worried sick. From seeing demons in the dark, to thinking about killing herself, Liv has thought time and time again of how her parents would’ve been better off without her. However, as the shadows become more real, and people she cares about begin dying, Liv must force herself to look beyond her fears, and see that, despite everything she’s faced, she must protect both herself, and the people around her. In this dementedly tender novel, Hollister shines an illustrious ray of hope against darkness, all the while showing the monsters that hide within the shadows.

Liv has a compassionate heart. She cares about her parents, focusing on them rather than herself. It broke my heart, how alone she felt when it came to her demons. The fact that she couldn’t tell anyone about what she’d been seeing played on an old fear of mine, of not being able to protect my loved ones, of no one being there to hear my fears. Still, the way God spoke to Liv provided comfort, strength, and encouragement, which allowed Liv to defeat these demons. It was this development that made me fall in love with her. It was wonderful, to say the least.

Liv’s development also illustrated the remarkable concept of finding strength, even in the darkest of places. Her compassion for her parents was what made her want to protect them, even though she couldn’t do much of anything. When she was detained, through God, she found a way to fight those demons. It was a theme that was repeated over and over again.

The religious ideals were wonderful. Aamon was a Marquis of Hell, so whenever the demons mentioned him, they mentioned a demon that had real power, that could do more than just tempt the mind and erode morals. He was real to Liv, and was able to cause death and destruction wherever he went. Even so, Liv managed to find comfort in her father’s garden. For me, the garden represented innocence, a refuge from a world that sought to annilhate her. In a way, it reminded me of the Garden of Eden, just before the fall.

Overall, I did enjoy the book. Liv’s development was phenomenal, even if her thoughts were somewhat repetitive. The religious connections between the demons and the garden, alongside God’s encouragement, were extraordinary as well. As such, I would give this book a rating of a 4.1 out of 5 stars, and would recommend this book to those who enjoy the supernatural genre, as well as Christian thrillers in general.

Book Review for Taeowolf #1: The Zentrin Guard by Kris Moger

Taeowolf #1: The Zentrin Series, by Kris Moger, is a fantasy about breaking away from innocence, if only to pursue the thin threads of freedom.

Aiden Murphy is a young Wolvean trapped in the cogs of society. One day, however, he meets a strange man in a dream. Before he realizes it, he’s suddenly embroiled in a world where he must prove himself to be worthy of being in an elite force known as the Zentrin Guard. As he continues with this journey, he learns that there is more to this world than he realizes, and that, although painful, he must grow into the strong warrior he’s destined to be.

In a way, Aiden reminds me of myself. He was enticed by the illusion of freedom, but seemed too hesitant to reach out to it. Grinder and Tasan took it upon themselves to show him the way, to determine whether or not he could handle being apart of the Guard. From standing up for Tasan, to saving his friends, Aiden soon sees that he can’t remain trapped in his ignorance. As much as Tandelin annoys me, she does have a point; Aiden can’t afford to live with his naiveté forever, not only because of the dangers ahead, but also because his friends need him.

Freedom was a constant concept within the book. No matter how I look at it, Aiden was free to remain a child, though he would still remain trapped within the boundaries of society. But when Tasan came into his life, suddenly, everything seemed that much more uncertain. He found that he did miss his family, wondering whether or not they’d notice him gone, that he could depend on others, though they may betray him later, that there was so much more to the world than the lectures he kept hearing. Aiden knew he had to grow up, and that was an aspect of the book I fell in love with. However, with this newfound freedom, there lay the dangers that lurk within the adult world. In order to keep this freedom, Aiden also had to accept the dangers, and to be prepared for whatever may come his way.

There were a couple of scenes in the book that didn’t sit well with me. For instance, I would’ve simply kicked Tandelin and Rat out of the carriage, or even run Rat over. But other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Moger weaves a fascinating tale about a child who was just beginning to grow up, and learn the price of his freedom. The characters, the details, and the narrative, were also well executed. As such, I would give this book a rating of a 4.1 out of 5 stars, and would recommend it to fans of Jesse Teller and Jeff Pryor.

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Book Review for Breakwater by Errin Stevens

Breakwater, by Errin Stevens, is a paranormal romance about protecting your home, and learning how to properly love others, no matter how painful it may be.

The book is separated into three parts. Part One delves into the love lives of Maya and Sylvia, both of whom meet two mysterious, yet charming strangers. Meanwhile, Carmen finds out that she is the heir to the Siren throne, and must prepare herself to lead her people. Part two introduces Duncan Fleming is a disgruntled siren who is desperate to lay claim to the throne, and will do whatever it takes to wield that power again. All the while, Simon and Aiden must realize that love isn’t like the wondrous affection that everyone dreams of. In Part Three, Carmen and her allies must foil Duncan’s plans in exposing the sirens, and learns that no matter what, family looks out for one another. With the ending of one fairytale, and the beginning of another, Stevens illustrates the same, timeless gifts that love has to offer.

I enjoyed Maya’s practicality, as well as Sylvia’s determination. Kate does have a point; owning a business at her age, falling in love with a siren, Sylvia has done a lot. Personally, it did seem like Simon did force his way into her life; for instance, he simply whisked Sylvia away to a place where he felt would be the most romantic. Even so, I must advise Simon that what he did was not an act of love; in fact it’s illegal in, I believe, most parts of the world. But despite that, it still worked out for them, however strange the experience was. I do admit that I did feel sorry for Aiden, especially since he felt like he belonged to Maya. Even so, he learns that this is just another aspect of love that he needs to understand; love hurts, and no matter what he chooses to do, it will keep hurting.

Then there’s Duncan Fleming, a man ruled by his own selfish ambition. He used his wife to try to get what he needed, and enslaved humans simply because he had this need to be worshipped and loved. He denied Carmen her rightful birthright, because he was already addicted to the power he once had. While I was initially sympathetic to him, over time, he started to deteriorate in my eyes. He went as far as to try and expose his own kind to humanity. He lost all credibility with me, but because of that, he became an excellent, irredeemable villain.

The book explores the inner workings of an incredibly confusing concept known as love. Like Updrift, the book shows that love can be innocent, and sometimes, our adoration of a person leads us to do crazy things. After all, a teacher did once tell me that love and insanity are two sides of the same coin. Simon had stolen Sylvia away from her life, though he did realize his mistake. At the same time, Duncan was in love only with himself. He was willing to do whatever it took to appease his arrogance, even if it meant that betraying his home. Stevens shows that love does encompass all types of timeless aspects, whether it be innocence, or selfishness.

Like Updrift, Breakwater carries with it the same, enchanting atmosphere, bringing back the age-old possibility that anything can happen. From the amusing romance between Sylvia and Simon, to Carmen’s ascension to the throne, to even the sinister Duncan, this book reminded me of the classic fairytales we all loved when we were little. It carries the traditional ideas of good and evil, as well as the fact that justice always perseveres. There were times when the book seemed a bit too sweet for me, but other than that, I enjoyed this book. As such, I would give this book  a rating of a 3.8 out of 5 stars, and would recommend this book to those who fell in love with I, Coriander, by Sally Gardner, and Gail Carson Levine.

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Book Review for Ghosts of Bliss Bayou by Jack Massa

Ghosts of Bliss Bayou, by Jack Massa, is a southern gothic novel about knowing where you belong, no matter how horrific the past.

After a particularly disturbing nightmare, Abby Renshaw decides to see her grandmother, who lives in Harmony Springs. When she first arrives, her grandmother’s neighbors are attacked by a monstrous figure that can only be described as “The Devil.” As Abby learns more about the paranormal events surrounding the town, she uncovers a family legacy that threatens to destroy her. But even so, she must use these secrets to defend herself against a dark entity, one that threatens to destroy everything she loves.

I liked the relationship between Abby, her grandmother, and Violet. Her grandmother and Violet were like mentors to Abby, trying to show her the wonders of their world, as well as the dangers. I especially liked the passion Violet displays for magic. Still, despite this, there was also a deep-seated tragedy nestled beneath the surface. Annie Renshaw, after all, was just one of the victims behind the careless use of magic. But though history threatened to repeat itself, Abby still managed to pull through with the help of her family, showing the timeless values that can slay even the darkest of evils.

As you may or may not know, I am completely in love with gothic novels. The dark, decadent settings of the town, as well as the ghosts and even the “development project”, illustrate the enchanting realism that’s so prominent in its fall from grace. To be honest, it was like reading through a forgotten fairytale, and how, despite trying to fight for justice, the characters can end up falling on the wrong side of morality, and thus distorting the true realities of the world.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. The coherent bonds of the characters, as well as the wonderful themes in the book, meticulously illustrate the beauty of the demented Gothic genre. Massa weaves a romantic tale about finding your place in the world, and learning just how far people will go to save their family. Thus, I would give this book a rating of a 4.0 out of 5 stars, and would recommend it to those who enjoy Tennessee Williams, and the southern gothic genre in general.

Book Review for The Secret Witch by Jeff Severcool

The Secret Witch, by Jeff Severcool, is a dark, Gothic tale about attaining freedom, even as you pass through the fires of hatred.

Verity is a young woman who lives in Salem during the witch hunts. She, and her adopted sister Hope, decide to get some berries for her in the woods, when they stumble across a dead deer, who is drained of blood. As the witch hunts continue, and Verity loses both of her sisters to the hellish embers of life and death, she herself must face the evil festering within Salem. It all comes crashing down when she, herself, is targeted. Severcool weaves a demented story about a girl’s quest for freedom, as she walks the thin line between salvation and damnation.

While I didn’t necessarily love Verity, I did understand where she was coming from. Puritans are incredibly strict, and when they came to this country, they sought freedom for themselves, but not for others. Nevertheless, she does attain what she desired most; the freedom to choose, the freedom to live, and the freedom to kill. She did remind me of myself when I was younger. After all, I wanted to stray from the norms: it’s why I started Black Magic Reviews to begin with. What bothered me was how she just walked past the dead corpses hanging; it was like she couldn’t be bothered with it, not when she had her own life to think about.

Salem was, of course, the site of the infamous witch hunts. Paranoia shrouded the town in fear and scandal, something that Verity pointed out. If you were different from any of them, you risked being murdered. That was exactly what’d happened to Verity; though justice was served by the death of the Elder, she herself was brought to trial for his murder. From the sham marriage between Purity and her husband, Josiah, to the dark dealings of Minister Barrowe, it appears that human corruption is more monstrous than the vampires themselves. Severcool shows this stark contrast, that though vampires were traditional monsters, humans were the ones to destroy. But even so, vampires were still a mystery to her, so who knows what sins they commit?

I enjoyed the book. While Verity’s callousness did disturb me, I saw myself in her, and thus connected with her on her quest for freedom. The idea that humans were the real monsters was also well-executed. As such, I would give this book a rating of a 4.2 out of 5 stars, and would recommend this book to fans who love The Killing Cure by C.S. Kendall and Pnaramakhia by Flavio Santonocito.

Book Review for The Hanging Tree by Micahel Phillip Cash

The Hanging Tree, by Michael Phillip Cash, is a haunting novella about a curse that has lasted generations upon generations, and how, against all odds, one girl managed to break it.

Goody Bennett was an old wise woman who helped Salem village with her skills as a healer and a midwife. Claire, on the other hand, was a woman who dreamt of luxury and pleasure. Things take a turn for the worst when Claire engages in an intimate affair with the Reverend Harmond, who then later ostracizes the two women. When Claire is found dead, Goody Bennett curses Revered Harmond and his descendants, just before she is killed. Years later, Arielle and her boyfriend, Cash, arrive at a lone spot in the middle of the night, hoping to spend some time with each other. Mysterious entities watch over them, as they wait for another tragedy to befall upon an eerie place known as ‘The Hanging Tree.’

While Arielle and Cash weren’t particularly compelling characters, I did find the ghosts resting near the hanging tree interesting. They were humorous, and not at all what I was expecting for a couple of restless spirits tied to that one tree. I especially liked reading about Martin and Arthur, two unfortunate lovers who were caught up in the curse. To be honest, while I did understand Goody Bennett’s reasoning for taking her vengeance on Reverend Harmond, I was annoyed when she took her anger out on his children. If anything, I’d rather her ghost haunt the Reverend instead, sadistically torturing him until he can no longer tell reality from imagination. Claire was also a tragedy; it took her dying to force her to mature. Personally, it was like reading a couple of fractured fairytales come to life, but without the happy ending.

The concept of the book was unique. Generations of spirits and tragedies were centered around that one, single tree, one that had claimed the lives of innocents. Decade after decades of death, until finally, someone managed to break the curse by saving a witch’s loved one. It’s a romantic idea, and one that was well-woven into the book. Though I did find the action of breaking the curse a bit anti-climactic, I felt it wrapped up the story nicely.

The book was a nice read. While I was a bit irritated by the characters, I did like the theme. The dark, gothic settings were also a wonderful bonus. Cash shows that despite the suffering of the innocent, there is redemption in the end. Overall, I would give this book a rating of a 3.5 out of 5 stars, and would recommend it to fans of Clemenceau’s Daughters by Rocky Porch Moore, and Wrath of the Ancients by Catherine Cavendish.

Book Review for Demon Riders by Jack Holder

Demon Riders, by Jack Holder, is a dark fantasy novel about learning who you are and where you came from, as well as knowing where your true loyalties lie.

The book begins with an introduction as to how the world of demon hunting came to be. From the prejudices that have taken hold of magical creatures, to the vibrant community of mercenaries that’ve taken residence in Texas. These elements set the stage for the Demon Riders and its leader, Harsk. Harsk is a fierce man who has slain legions of demons. One night, however, Harsk encounters a young woman who was forcibly impregnated by a demon. He decides to keep the young woman and her unborn child as part of the ride. As the child grows older, as does Harsk, and the two become closer, as father and daughter. Soon, they learn that there’s more to life than the limits set by what was originally supposed to be good and evil. In this fast-paced adventure, Holder delves into the world of monster hunting, all the while showing that family is family, no matter where you go.

While I felt like Met Netti and Harsk should’ve been given a bit more attention, considering the fact that Met Netti was raped, I still enjoyed the bond that Kait and Harsk shared. Personally, Harsk reminded me of a protective parent looking out for their child. Kait, on the other hand, was struggling to understand just where she fit in, especially since she was a demon amongst demon hunters. And with the prophecy lingering above both their heads, it made for a good read. I especially enjoyed how Kait referred to the hunters as over protective brothers.

One interesting scene that caught my attention was the way Rel treated Kait. He was acting reserved in front of her, disgusted by the fact that there even was a demon in the demon riders. And though Kait did destroy him, I believe she had just gotten a taste of how other humans may treat her. And that was exactly what’d happened when she grew up, when she went out in the human crowds. I feel like she would’ve abandoned humanity long before, had it not been for the influence of her brothers.

Nevertheless, I did have mixed feelings about the introduction. I feel that while it was necessary to set up the story, it was just too long. This, I felt, was a major detractor for me. I’d much rather focus on Kait’s story, rather than read through Texas’s history, however fascinating it may be. I also would’ve liked the details for Kait’s story to be more fleshed out, such as her relationships, her thoughts and emotions about being a hunter, whether or not she had any doubts.

I did like this book. Holder creates a fantastic world in which magic and normality coexist side by side. But even so, loyalty and love still all. Though the introduction to the setting could’ve been shorter, and the details to the plot a bit longer, this was still a good read. As such, I would give this book a rating of a 3.4 out of 5 stars, and would recommend it for those who enjoy E.A. Copen and Susurrus, by B. Morris Allen.

Book Review for Heiress to Waitress by Ginny Clyde

Heiress to Waitress, by Ginny Clyde, is a young adult romance about rising up from where you’ve fallen, and learning how to live by your own strength.

Olivia, her younger brother James, and their mother, Sarah, had recently been robbed of everything by their Uncle Kelvin. After having to move from their home in Edinburgh to the United States, Olivia is taken back by her new school. Despite it all, she meets a mysterious classmate named Ryan, who tries to protect her in the best way he can. Even so, she manages to take up a job as a waitress at a tea shop, where she soon learns that she can make it in America with the help of her family and newfound friends.

Personally, I liked reading about Olivia. While I was taken back by how petty her uncle seemed, I was happy that she had the support of her family. Of course, I was also impressed by how she could stand up for herself; after all, she’s faced more powerful people than before, so taking on a class bully or two isn’t something she wouldn’t allow herself to worry about. What’s more, though she just moved to America, she was already making strides to build a future for herself. She was harsh on her mother at first, but I was grateful that she came to realize how much she sacrificed for them in the end. Ryan, however, was a different story. Despite the fact that he was the most popular boy in school, it seemed that he was just fulfilling the “handsome/loner” stereotype. More often than not, he came across as creepy, if not downright stalkerish. Still, I will admit that he did save Olivia on more than one occasion. Needless to say, that isn’t enough for me to fall in love with his character.

This book presented an interesting situation of when a family loses their wealth. Olivia, her mother, and James struggled to adjust, and while they did a wonderful job of it, I doubt they would’ve known what to do if not for the fact that people like Stacie and Jonathan were there to support them. True, it was, admittedly, amusing, to see them trying to live out their everyday lives, but I was happy that they slowly began to grow accustomed to it. It made me realize just how much they take for granted, and is something that is reflected in everyday life.

I enjoyed the book. While it can be a bit cheesy at times, it was also a good, clean young adult book that everyone can love. I didn’t particularly like Olivia’s love interest, but so far, Clyde has got me hooked. I would give this book a rating of a 3.8 out of 5.0 stars, and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a bit of clean romance every now and then.

Book Review for A Good Game by D.D Shaw

A Good Game, by D.D Shaw, is about overcoming personal struggles and finding comfort in the freedom love offers.

Charlotte is a twenty-year old woman who longs to see the world. One night, she meets a young man who, while rough around the edges, she can’t help but be drawn in by. Before long however, she is thrown into a world filled with deception, technology, and possibilities, a world that attracts both her curiosity and horror. Trent, on the other hand, works for a foreboding company known as Vision. After being sexually abused over and over again, he meets woman whom will become yet another pawn for Vision. As time goes on, the eventually fall in love with each other, only to realize that it might just be too late. Shaw weaves a romantic tale where love isn’t limited by boundaries and, despite all our struggles, we can still earn our happy ends, regardless of how much suffering we’re put through.

The characters were enjoyable to read about. Charlotte was written in a way that made her fiery, despite her being incredibly condescending at times. I liked how she was humbled, not just by the maids, but by everyone around her. What’s more, when she realized the truth of what was happening, I was proud that she stood up for herself, despite making a few strange, if risky, choices along the way. Trent, meanwhile, appeared to be just another typical bad boy heartbreaker. However, as the story continued on, and I got to know him more and more, I realized how screwed up his life is. He’s enslaved by his family legacy, and his being taken advantaged of over and over again. Even so, he manages to find the strength to love Charlotte. I liked watching their relationship blossom, and though it was an interesting way to embrace both the past and present.

The theme was much darker than I’d anticipated. Sexual abuse and emotional neglect were prevalent in the story, whether it be from Trent’s own past, or even Charlotte’s experiences at her boarding school. In spite of the pressures of family and work and even an obsessed stalker endeavoring to separate them, the couple still made it through somehow. It denotes that love really can make you stronger, that having that support system will help you overcome anything life throws your way. It was inspiring, to be honest.

Still, there were a couple of things that didn’t sit well with me in this book. For example, Trent just decided to have sex with Charlotte right there, even with everyone watching. It was an immature decision on her part, mainly because she could’ve forced him off, and that clearly Trent didn’t need sex right then. I was also a bit confused in the beginning. Charlotte could’ve called for help, since, of course, there was a strange man in her room who admitted to practically watching her, and she didn’t do anything. She was flattered, more often than not. And it didn’t sit well with me; at the very least I would’ve expected her to put up more of a fight.

Overall, the book was a good read. The interesting plot line, flawed characters, and their subsequent development made the story all the more fascinating. What’s more, it dove into issues not a lot of fiction books would explore, and was something that Shaw did well. There were some aspects of Charlotte’s and Trent’s relationship that didn’t make sense, but other than that, I liked it well enough. As such, I would give this book a rating of a 3.5 out of 5 stars, and would recommend it to fans of The Girl of Glass by Megan O’ Russell and The City of Dreams by Hailey Griffiths.