A. Renee Hunt's Blog, page 5

Shadow and Bone, The Grisha Trilogy Book 1

An Audiobook by Leigh Bardugo
Narrated by Lauren Fortgang I have a handful of favorite authors, and when it comes to the females on my list, I’m pretty particular. Leigh Bardugo is a gifted storyteller and actually number two on my short list. So when I decided to go backwards, into the GrishaVerse, to know the stories, I began with this trilogy. I know there are many short stories as well, and I’ll get to them, but for now, it’s book 1, Shadow and Bone of The Grisha trilogy. #element-1780a0e7-0453-40ed-bdd0-5e161dcde29e .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;} Shadow and Bone by Leigh Barduga tells the story of a girl seeking happiness for herself, but only finds she’s gifted with certain capabilities that can distract from her goal. After growing up an orphan, with her best guy friend Mal, all she ever knew was a wanting for something more, to be considered special enough. But after an incident while serving in the guard, while attempting to cross the Fold, she’s snatched from everything she’s lived for. 

Dubbed  a Sun Summoner, she’s viewed as a gift to the kingdom, and a tool to conquer the Fold. But will she do so a free person or a slave to the Darkling? Will her newfound talent help the people or destroy them? And what of her best friend and secret heartthrob, Mal?

This novel isn’t my first rodeo with Bardugo. Not only did I get to meet and gain her autograph and listen to her on a panel with another author I adore (Marissa Meyer), but I purchased other books and became a fan. I’m no stranger to the GrishaVerse, but I think I enjoyed this one for the subtle honesty. It wasn’t filled with girly frills and fantasies of living happily ever after- which Bardugo doesn’t do anyway, but other than the magic, it feels real.

Shadow and Bone is about the face beneath. It’s about hiding feelings, pretending to be what you’re not, and accepting what you truly are. Deep down, it’s not just good and evil, love and hate. It’s about doing what you have to, and possibly sacrificing one’s self in order to get there. A few times, Alina (the heroine) could have run off to aid in her own plight, but she didn’t. She knew she served a purpose, even if it was a lie. Instead of hiding in the shadows, she accepted and dealt the hand she’d been given. Sadly, when the truth came out, it cut to the bone.

Shadows and Bone, book one of the trilogy, by Leigh Bardugo, is pure adventure with a bit of romance sprinkled on top. Part of her GrishaVerse, the story of Alina Starkov is but a blip- if you don’t know Bardugo, you really should. It’s fanta’mazing! Yeah, I just made that one up. Cheers!

Shadow and Bone, Book 1
of The Grisha Trilogy
Written by Leigh Bardugo
Narrated by Lauren Fortgang
​Published by Henry Holt and Co.
and Audible Studios
Released June 2012
Runtime: 9h 21 min

The Boys

Season 1 from Prime Video There is a very fine line between Super Hero and Super Villain. And are there Good and  Bad Supers?

Do you subscribe to Prime? If so, you know about the television show The Boys. It’s a new show about super heroes, and guess what could possibly be worse than super heroes...?

I am always looking out for a show, movie or series to watch that fits my desired genre. Normally Prime doesn’t have what I want, but after watching Good Omens, I decided to hold on to the stream channel to see what would come next. I'm happy I did, because The Boys was on point. I watched in less than 48 hours. #element-6624d447-1348-4441-8ec2-51bb9759698c .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;} So the world is full of supes, but they’re not what you think. Instead of Truth, Justice and the American way, they’re all about fame, fortune and their arguable percentage of stock and merchandise. They’re so fake with real powers, yet they stage crimes to show out for the public. When Hughie, a normal guy, is out with his girlfriend, in the blink of an eye she’s killed. Terribly.
All he wants is why and an apology from the  super killed her! What he receives changes his world and the way he views the people who are supposed to be "saviors" of the world.

Covered in Keith Urban, comedy, Unbelievable sexual situations, and lots of high action, The Boys is pure energy and excitement. You have to figure out who’s on the side of good and who’s using good to be bad. You also have to decide if the yuck and nasty is well worth the watch, which for me was an astounding YES. 

Though I figured out the mystery behind Billy Butcher (Keith Urban), I didn’t see the ending happening in such a way- I was blown away. Thank goodness they’ve been approved for a season 2 or I’d be really mad! I've been the victim of loving shows that end before the first season has even finished. (hint hing: Swamp Thing)

I may go ahead and keep Prime for a while.  The Boys has nine episodes, at an hour each, and they won a Golden Globe and nominated for best action. With accolades like that it can’t be too bad, though I have to give a WARNING: This show is filled with sex (& innuendo), nudity, loads of gore & violence, tons of profanity, and some intense scenes almost too shocking for my own constitutions. I feel the need to put that out there.

So I’m going to head out. I’m moving on to a Netflix, animated show, but check out The Boys; you’re gonna love it! Cheers The Boys
Written by Eric Kripke
Directed by Philip Sgriccia
Starred Keith Urban, Jack Quaid, Erin Moriarty, Chace Crawford, Jessie Usher and Antony Starr
Released July 2019 

Apocalypse Hill, Book 1

From the Apoc Hill mini-series
​Written by Matthew Stott
It's both a grand idea and a poor one, via Amazon/Kindle, when I find books that originate from another country. Apocalypse Hill, written by Matthew Stott, is a mini-series I'd love to finish, but  books two and three aren't available in the US! I've never purchased from the UK side before, except for actual objects, never ebooks, and when I tried to sign up for the email subscriptions to get the follow-up books for free, it kept denying my email. So I guess I'll never get to find out if Bill accomplished his mission. I can tell you what sets Him on the path though. 

So here's my review of Apocalypse Hill, The Hill, book 1.  #element-9fd42f67-b6bc-4d65-9075-b1cb7236263f .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;} So there are three books in what's dubbed the Apoc Hill mini-series. There's Apocalypse Hill, the book I read, Apocalypse Hill Cracks and Apocalypse Hill Rises. Written by Amazon's UK author, Matthew Stott, there's a lot of creativity, originality and love written into the main character Bill. Bill only wants to see his daughter, an astronaut, again. She's been gone a while and he's not used to being alone. 

Somehow, a hill, filled with evil moves across the world. It chooses a particular spot and festers. When this happens, the earth, and those nearby, become infected. A young girl, consumed by rage and filled with whispered (and a need for vengeance), decides to take matters into her own hands. Unfortunately, her decision affects the world. Bill, who only wanted his daughter to return home safely, suddenly becomes an elderly hero. Conscripted by a thing dubbed The Yellow Man, he must take particular actions, by choice to help others, regardless of how he'd be affected. Can he accomplish such feats, and will he manage to survive it all in the process?

The Apoc Hill series is three short stories that tells one tale. There's an omnibus, but only available in the UK, so I'll never know what happens in the end. I do know that the story is fantastic. It's original with an unlikely hero, determined to do what's right and allow hi to last a little bit longer, to see his daughter's safe return.

I'm going to reach out to the author and see if he can send me a copy of the other two stories. If so, I'd love to share them with you. Sadly, all I can share is from book one, which is an introduction to the evils that's saturated the world. ​

Apocalypse Hill is creepy; it put me in mind with The Crazies movie and a British mini-series I saw years ago called Infected, if I recall correctly. It was good. This is too, but it's of biblical proportions, the way it seems to take place. You feel bad for the hero, because he's so tired. He doesn't want to fight, he just wants to see his baby girl again. 

Written well and intense, Apocalypse Hill is an awesome read. Wish me luck on gaining books two and three. Cheers!

Apocalypse Hill
Book 1
Written by Matthew Stott
Published through Genre Reader
178-pages
Released April 2019

The Other Side

An Incredible, Other-Worldly Novel by Justin Jay Gladstone
& Nitsuj Yah Enotsdalg So I met author, Justin Jay Gladstone on Instagram. At first, I saw him as this fiery guy, full of way too much Monster drink and/or caffeine. Then I got to watching one of his LIVE videos and thought, "I like this guy!"  No, I admired him. He worked this novel for practically all his life; how does one do that? I've written for years but never on one project! I honestly don't have that much focus. Anyway, my review today is on an adventurous tale that comes from... The Other Side! Ha ha- see what I did there?
(All images belong to author, J. J. Gladstone) #element-fe3b7e49-27a7-4292-97bf-f06b9925aee7 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;} The Other Side is a novel that's at least 13 years in the making, if I remember correctly. It's about Leon, a young man who has a voice in his head. He's been diagnosed with DID, so you sorta expect that, right? Well, not really. You see, the voice he's hearing is actually him. Another him. The problem is, along with the discovery of this other Leon comes a pocket full of problems. But if there's another Leon, what about the rest of the world?

While enrolled in a particular school, called the Earthshine Institute, he discovers all is not as it seems and he ends up lost, in a world that isn't his own and he can't seem to escape it. That's where the true adventure kicks off. 

The Other Side book is an enigma. It's a book that is so complex, so descriptive and creative, it comes with a companion. My copy has it built in with carefully crafted images, QR Codes and even symbols at the bottom of the pages to let you know whether you're in the past or in the future. ALSO, explanations to Reflection Principals and there are even YouTube videos that tell the story and share the characters of the novel. How is that for creativity? It's set unto allow you experience of the book instead of simply reading it. The book's enormous, giving you not only our money's worth, but a real adventure.

The book is rather long, near 500-pages, so you get to know everyone in the book. Sometimes, because of the excess information, it did tend to drag a bit in spots, but when you go to places like Equilibrium and Chaos, you aren't bored at all! The story is one that you will never forget, just be sure to have 20/20 vision and a bit of time to read it all. 

My only negative was it was hard for me to read. Because of the size of the book, the font is terribly small. I have bad eyes though- it's different for me. Due to the size being so small, and there not being an ebook version, it took me longer to rad this novel, than any other book. Ever! Though it can also be a tad confusing to some, when it comes to going back and forth in time or to other worlds, The Other Side could become tricky. Unfortunately, that happens with many books, so I can't even hold that against him.

I think Gladstone has great potential and can become an excellent storyteller, but if it takes him another thirteen or so years to write his next book, I may not be able to read it! LOL Cheers to this new and budding author and I look forward to seeing more from him. You should look for The Other Side, while I move on to the next read. 

The Other Side
Justin Jay Gladstone and Nitsuj Yah Enotsdalg
Published by Gladstone and Enotsdalg
Released July 2018
651 pages

Mercy Black

A Netflix movie review I was bored and looking for something supernatural to watch. I came across Mercy Black, staring Daniella Pineda, Janeane Garofalo and Austin Amelio. I was hoping for something good because I'd recognized two of the three main characters. But was it good?

Today's review is the movie, Mercy Black. #element-4298463a-c49c-4551-ad54-82c17223b308 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;} Mercy Black's about lore. About people who believe in lore and actually things to, uh... pass it along? I'm not sure. When she was a young girl, Marina and her friend, decide to act on the age-old tale. They had an imaginary friend they desired to make real. In order to accomplish such ignorance, they had to follow certain steps, namely a ritual. They do it all,which lands them both in the psych ward for years.

When Marina gets out, she does her best to acclimate into some form of normalcy while living with her sister and impressionable son. Unfortunately, Marina's nephew has a few secrets of his own, and it has everything to do with who his aunt conjured up all those years ago. What happens isn't disturbing or upsetting, not even scary. It's just another weird story that some would compare to Candle Cove or the Babadook. 

I'd hoped that with Amelio, from The Walking Dead, and the ever popular Garofalo, this movie would have been at least interesting, but alas, they could not. I don't really know what else to say; I was so bored with it, I ended up writing a book review while watching. Mercy Black is predictable, boring and plain out stupid. I didn't like anything about it- even the deaths were lame. I don't know about you, but I like my horror movies with a lot more horror in them. So in the immortal words of Forest Gump, "That's all I've got to say about that."
Cheers!
Mercy Black
Written and Directed by Owen Egerton
Produced Seth Caplan and Greg Gilreath
Starred Daniella Pineda, Austin Amelio, Elle LaMont, Miles Emmons and Janeane Garofalo.
Released 2019

Heads Will Roll

Hilarious Broadway Audio by Kate McKinnon
Narrated by a cast crew listed below. When I spotted Heads Will Roll on Audible's main page, I thought it would be an utter waste of time. But after rummaging through their fantasy audio, I figured, "Why Not?" I purchased and waited for its release. 

Was I disappointed? Today's review is Heads Will Roll, by Kate McKinnon. #element-1cb6d9c0-ebb2-46f2-8a3d-a0e68a4ed4ce .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;} First, I loved the intro music, "Off With Your Head" by Yeah, yeah, Yeahs. I actually looked it up. Sadly, I liked the snippet of the chorus more than the actual song. But the book- FREAKING HILARIOUS! I laughed so much, I choked a few times. 

The story is about a queen, Mortuana, who really isn't happy, granted she is the queen of the dark realm. One day, she receives a prophecy concerning an uprising in her kingdom, so she has to find a way to prevent the riot and loss of control. So she, and her pet raven JoJo decide to set out on an adventure to find the one thing that could stop the people in their tracks- The Shard of Acquiescence. 

It's a good thing Queen Mortuana was trying to stop the uprising because this book was a right riot! Not only was the story one big nasty, sarcastic, sexually motivated comedy but it was completely star-studded as well. With voice-overs by Kate McKinnon, herself, Emily Lynne, Peter Dinklage, Meryl Streep, Tim Gunn and more, this book will have you cracking up, frowning in disgust from things like bean-induced ammunition, to wondering what Oden's clay induced protrusion looked like! LOL I'm telling you, this is not your child's fairy tale. It's all adult and all humor. 

Running at around 4-hours long, it can be finished in an afternoon, while chilling on the sofa. It's so good, so funny and well worth the credit I paid for it. Personally, I love audio dramas. And though they say this is a Broadway video, it's an audio-drama while on Audible, so if you like hearing crashes, monsters roaring and sounds of disgust- check out Heads Will Roll today! You will die laughing!

Cheers!

Heads Will Roll
Kate McKinnon
Full Cast Narration
Released May 2, 2019
Runtime 4hours 6 minutes

The Songbird's Refrain

Written by Jillian Marie The Songbird's Refrain, written by Jillian Marie is an original novel. It's YA filled with youthful self-discovery, mystery, magic and a sort of time travel. Before you do any of the reading, take the time to appreciate this book's cover. It's simply beautiful and carries a bit of the story, which means it's double-actioned. 
Now that's a dime well spent! #element-9b85a807-8747-4bae-81d0-53541f92fb2b .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;} Many believe there is power in a name, even more when the name is spoken. Others believe they're insignificant, unimportant, nothing at all. That's Elizabeth Brighton. Her life's an empty, blank slate where she's barely noticed, but she's used to it. Unhappy, but used to it. 

So when she meets a girl, someone who seems to see her for who she really is, it's a no brainer to attend the event the girl is hosting. Elizabeth even feels a connection to the one known as Bridget. What she finds is another world, filled with confusion, imprisonment and dangerous dreams that links her to the lives of many others... others who may or may not even be alive!

​Plagued with these dreams and repetitive names of the ones who could assist her, Elizabeth mentally battles against The Mistress, a woman of power and the ability to change the course of Elizabeth's life forever. So with perplexing clues, from unexpected sources, she goes against The Mistress for her freedom and her very soul.

I was given The Songbird's Refrain for review during my Camp NaNoWriMo challenge this July. I didn't think I'd be able to finish before the month's end, but I pulled it off. The story was my evening/bedtime read and I have to admit, at first I didn't think I'd want to complete the read. The story dragged a bit, understandably so, since the protagonist's dreary outlook on life and herself were necessary. I found the analogies long-winded and sometimes confusing. Also, due to some actions being repetitive, they triggered REM sleep, so I had to switch it to my daytime read.

About halfway through the book everything began to kick off, and the meaning behind the dreams Elizabeth continued to experience brought useful information. I became interested and did my best to figure out how it would all end. Sadly, I couldn't figure it out, but I kinda liked it. What made it tough for me was in the description. I was confused with the way the battle ensued, so I'll list my pro's and con's.

Pro's: The Songbird's Refrain is classically authentic, with experiences I've never read before in other YA books. The dynamic of the situations, not so much the character, is likable, allowing the isolation to become tangible. It allowed me to sympathize with her situation and want to continue turning pages.

Con's: The story was repetitive in both action and in thought, with clouded correlations that prompted both whats?" and heavy sighs. The story's description of the power used was stiff. I wasn't able to truly see what JM wanted me to se, leaving me confused. I simply couldn't see everything revealed.

This isn't to say the story wasn't good. I liked what transpired; I liked the magic of Elizabeth's transformation as well, but I felt it took too long to bring it all about. The force was lost, destroying my connection to Elizabeth's plight. To round it all up, The Songbird's Refrain is a magical story that's full of self-discovery, inner-strength and determination to pull one's self out of a dire, torturous situation. I think many YA's would enjoy this one. So go, grab yourself a copy and let me know what you think. I'm gonna move on to the next read.
Cheers!

The Songbird's Refrain
Written and Published by Jillian Marie
Amazon Digital Services
Release Date: September 2019
241 pages

From Hell

Book 8 in the Alex Hunter series by
Greig Beck Every time I have to wait for another installment of the Alex Hunter series, I find myself sitting on pins and needles, salivating at the mouth, like a fiend. The stories swell with action, the action impeccable, and the purpose is driving. Who wouldn't be biting at the bit? So when I lucked out with From Hell, I dove right in.
​But I wasn't supposed to finish so fast... #element-605b243e-2511-4908-9267-167e81b00634 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
So as one of the luckies- I got a copy of From Hell on July 12th. The very next day I began, soaking in every detail, every emotion and every scene as though it were my last. Because, technically, it will be for a while. From Hell begins with a back story, one I've carried interest in for practically all my life- the destruction of Pompeii. But this was no ordinary retell, primarily because Beck wrote it. You see, along with the fire, ash and the hardening of fluids in the lungs, creatures descended Mt. Etna and Vesuvius during the eruption. Things of tribulation and horror... and they were taking the people!

With this installment, Alex Hunter is doing more than dealing with his demon. He's saved the world countless times, and all he receives, in reward, is time in The Box. It's by his own creation, but is it working? (Sorry, I won't tell you haven't a clue.) When his family winds up in turmoil, leaving his team of HAWCs to literally battle against hell, he has to come out with controlled swing9ing. Thankfully, he's got a little help. 

Also, Joshua's showing signs of telekinetic advancement, connecting with both his father on expeditions, as well as with Tor, the family pet. Sadly, these particular skills places him in danger from a source one would never have imagined. Can this magnificent family ever find happiness? And will the world stop for just one moment, foregoing the desire to devour humanity, body and soul?

Wow- that's my big summary! And it still doesn't tell enough on why I loved this book so much. So I began reading while halfway through Camp NaNoWriMo. Thankfully, my story was complete, but I had to edit, so I finished the book in 5 days instead of my usual 3 or so. I was compelled to see what was going to happen next, how the foe would be defeated and then it was like, "Ka-BlAM!" ALEX was in it, and I was utterly blown away!

Now, I've always been a Sam fan- loving the guy to smithereens, but when Alex pulled through, he became the Knight in Shining Armor. He waited for nothing and kicked Aztec all the way. But From Hell is different from the other Hunter books. The threat is more powerful than any he's ever faced, with minions the likes I've never seen. The destruction was of nightmares and the hero's actions brought me to steaming, watery eyes. I woke my husband with my concerns and I wasn't sure if I was going to be happy with the ending! Yes- I'm not lying. 

Thankfully, I was more than pleased and I'm guaranteed another book. Alyssa can wait, a Happy Camper! So check out From Hell, book 8 in the Alex Hunter series, but do even better than that- if you haven't read any- go to book 1 first! You don't have to read them in order, but you'd be so much better off if you did. 

I'm off to the next read. Cheers! From Hell
Book 8 of the Alex Hunter series
Written by Greig Beck
Published by Momentum
July 2019
298 pages #wsite-video-container-782315209201168607{ background: url(//www.weebly.com/uploads/b/14113447-183718740458099994/img_4758_735.jpg); } #video-iframe-782315209201168607{ background: url(//cdn2.editmysite.com/images/util/videojs/play-icon.png?1234); } #wsite-video-container-782315209201168607, #video-iframe-782315209201168607{ background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position:center; } @media only screen and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2), only screen and ( min-device-pixel-ratio: 2), only screen and ( min-resolution: 192dpi), only screen and ( min-resolution: 2dppx) { #video-iframe-782315209201168607{ background: url(//cdn2.editmysite.com/images/util/videojs/@2x/play-icon.png?1234); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position:center; background-size: 70px 70px; } }

Camp NaNoWriMo Dominates This July

This is my first NaNo for 2019 and I'm very excited to be attempting new things. In this case, a new genre. I've always wanted to write with more sincerity, more passion than with my other tales which define me, but are not my total make-up.  I've never been both so sure and so doubfilled in my life- other than when I contemplated doing my husband. I've dreamed of doing a romantic story for about a year and a half, but my words aren't soft and delicate like that. I've been tomboy all my life, and to this day, as old as I am, I am still a tomboy! So this will also be my greatest challenge, next to letting go of The Malignant Soul. 

So due to such weight I'm allowing myself to carry, I am removing myself from ALL social media, to bring Just The Way You Are to completion. I will ban myself, even from using  my personal media and website. No reviews will be published either. I've moved everything back a month, though the reviews I've written will go on Goodreads and Amazon, so as to not cheat anyone of their promised bookstores.

I know this is a risk, but I hope everyone doesn't forget me after thirty days. I really feel this has to be done. Wish me the biggest luck- I'm going to need it.

Cheers!

​Alyssa

Ditto

A novel by Tyler Watkins This is my fourth book by Tyler Watkins, and I have to say, I am very impressed! Ditto is his best work to date! Not because it was completely different than any of his other works, but it brought an emotion, a drive, a story that showed just how balanced his skills as an author truly are. Let me share why... #element-ba4a1e30-f9a1-4710-ac9a-05f9fcc90928 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;} Do you believe in life after death? I don't mean heaven and hell, but actual life? In Ditto, Viv happens to have lived several lives, beginning in the 1800's I believe. He's lived as animals more than humans, but he can't figure out why he's the only person doomed to live life after life after life without any sort of purpose. And why doesn't anyone believe him?

Viv decides he needs a reason for it all, but should he figure it out, will that life be the end of him? He endures painful experiences, never allowing them to stop him from seeing a brighter side of life- lives. It's not until he's a human again that things seem to bring change. Maybe who he's truly meant to be and a goal to accomplish. Will his pasts lives finally bring him peace, or come back to haunt him?

As I previously mentioned, I've read a few books by Watkins, but Ditto is his greatest achievement yet! With this novel, I believe he's found his voice, his style and the genre where he truly belongs. To me, this novel is written in a way that displays great maturation and a developed skill. I've not read anything like this book and I felt blown away. I even got all teary-eyed about 70% into the story, where something really sweet happened. It was such a pleasant surprise.

Watkins also represents the LGBT community by showing that not all gays are looking to boink every good looking guy/gal they meet. It was refreshing and sensitive, unlike many novels I've read. I've come across some novels (gay and straight) where it's crass, raunchy and down-right gross.This was perfect.

I asked Watkins what inspired Ditto. His response was, and I quote:
"I always wanted to write a novel about reincarnation - one that was humorous, but also serious at the same time." 
When I asked about a particular part that shocked me and nearly brought me to tears, his response was: "I think I used my experience of losing someone that meant the world to me as fuel for Viv's story." End quote and thank you, Tyler!

Honestly, I felt the energy too. This is one of those books where I can not simply share in a review, I'm simply going to tell my friends to read it! So if you're looking to read something new, breathable and funny as well as emotional, check out Ditto. It's available on Amazon! I'm off to the next read. Cheers!

Ditto
Written by Tyler Watkins
Published by Amazon Digital Services
Released August 2018
337 pages