A. Renee Hunt's Blog, page 87

The Treemakers by Christina L. Rozelle

     Here's a story that breaks your heart and builds hope at the same time!  Imagine a world, where the air is poisonous, there's no wild life, other than enormous rats called Jumpers, and the smallest of cuts can cost you life.  Oh, and you have to work every single day of your life, just to make scraps because everything's taken (what little there is) by Nazi-like bosses called Superiors.

     The Treemakers, by Christina L. Rozelle, is about a large group of children, treated as slaves in a world where no one's around to care anymore.  They've had to survive in a world that protects them just enough to do one thing: Make mechanical trees that process air.  They eat a nutritional slop daily, unless they make a mistake, and the only way they're able to conduct any form of hygiene is by spraying off with a hose, as a group every evening before bed.  Is there anything better?  Any form of escape?

     There is, but they have to escape the clutches of those who'd do anything to keep them working, tortured and without.  This escape is down below ground.  Very far beneath the surface, but with a little help, they endure... but is there such thing as Paradise?      The Treemakers is the first in a trilogy by Ms. Rozelle.  I will be following up with the second book.  There are so many reasons to like this dystopian tale, but I'll only share a few... because I'm a firm believer in NO SPOILERS!  But did you check out the cover?  It's mysterious and creepy and so beautiful!  How could you not love it?!

     Okay, so the story is about Joy, a strong and independent protagonist.  I love strong women.  Now she's a teenager, but she's got to be a grown-up because there are so many children trapped with her.  All have seen death in a variety of forms but Joy is the one who loves them, cares for them and does her best to preserve their innocence.  But when she and Jax come across an area that allows them to travel to a land of blue skies, roaring oceans and lush, green grass, they know what they must do.

    This is an adventure unlike any I've read this year, and I've read well over 100 books.  The Treemakers, in the category of YA horror, is one of the best!  It was original and the romance was cut more so to my imagination than being spelled out for me.  It focused mostly on escape and finding their safe haven above all else.  

     I can make you a promise: if you like dystopian tales that stand strong against books like the Razorland Trilogy, then you'll want to read this story.  I'm off to the next read, but if you'd like to follow Christina Roselle, hit her up on one of her many links listed below!   

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

     I have to admit, I was duped by this book.  I was expecting a fictional tale like Eat, Pray, Love, that would encourage me to always go for what I desired in life.  Instead I got an out and out, self-help book.  It's okay though... I liked it!

     Big Magic, by Elizabeth Gilbert is all about finding the inner-You!  It's about seeking what your heart truly longs for then hot to g about making it yours.  Broken down into six sections: Courage, Enchantment, Permission, Persistence, Trust and Divinity, you're equipped to, as she explains how to "bring forth the hidden treasure within you."  Nothing wrong with that, yeah? 

     What I love most is how she encourages you to not go about taking on loans to attend universities but to bravely explore on your own, making your experiences your teacher instead.  She also suggests you do what you want, regardless of what it may be, in order to be happy doing that thing instead of trying to be famous or rich.  Don't do it for money but for the love and experience of it all.  

     I liked this book because it reads as though Ms. Gilbert is sitting with me, sharing first hand.  She's open and honest.  Her words are soft and encouraging and not like a therapist telling you about life.  I think looking towards life, chucking away the fears and doling what I'd love is a great way to make some Big Magic in my life.  Take a peek!  ​

Huckleberry Hearts (book 6) by Jennifer Beckstrand

     I knew nothing of the Huckleberry series when I got this book for a review.  When I saw the cover, I thought, "Oh... another romance."  Boy was I wrong!  

     Huckleberry Hearts by Jennifer Beckstrand is number six in the Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series and a very crazy story, but one easy to fall in love with.  The story is about Cassie, a girl who left her Amish home to go to college.  Normally when one leaves the Amish community, they're shunned, but nosy Annie and Felty, Cassie's grandparents aren't your average Mammi and Dawdi.  These octogenarians steal the story!  They're hilarious and so full of love and nosiness- you can't help but laugh throughout the book!

     It's also a romance, where a handsome Zach is looking for someone who isn't putting in his hands.  Cassie carries her own and independent.  She's deep and interesting, but he's got to prove himself to her in order to win her.  And that's where I always begin to feel like, Ugh...  I am so not in to romance, unless it just grabs me!  I loved everything about this book, except when it came to Cassie and Zach's relationship- even though it was good.  

     Jennifer Beckstrand is a great author and her stories will be loved by many.  I read way too many Silhouette & Harlequin books as a teen to stay with romance, but if  you like it- especially Amish romance, you will absolutely LOVE this book.  Cheers- I'm on to another book! 

XO, Blake by Avery Aster

     Maybe because I didn't read the previous books.  Maybe because none of my homosexual friends behaved in the manner these characters did.  Maybe because I never hung around people that constantly got into trouble after trouble, after stinking trouble.  I just could not relate to Vive, Blake, Taddy and the rest of the crew.  They seemed to hemorrhage issues that can get pretty old after a while.

     I'm not going to say I didn't like this book, but I really couldn't get into it.  I found the style a bit off, but the voice was consistent.  I also found they were the most immature bunch I've ever reason.  It's sorta funny, because even though I was curious about boyfriends, sex and partying, I was also mature enough to only want love and keep away from people I knew were trouble, long before I ever got to college.  

     I understand there's a series to this book and Xo, Blake is just a small piece to the collection.  I'm not sure I'm ready for the previous books.  I'm not even sure I'm ready for the ones after this one!  I can say this, Avery Aster has a style all his own and it shows in Blake, the main character.  

     Xo, Blake is about a young man who's found family in a group of girls who are just as lost and confused as he is.  He's not flaming, but he's on the prowl for love... in a crush who's got some intense sexual desires.  Blake isn't ready for all this and he's not ready to give up his virginity- no matter how he dreams and fantasizes. 

     I wasn't really in to this book, but I can tell there's a style in the way it was written that could make for a fun read, if I was really in to this genre.  Sadly, I'm not but I do give this a decent rating.  There's a lot of background given and evidently stated from previous books, so there's a history you can use to work your way in to this series if you want it.  There's also another book calling my name so off to the next one! 

the time chamber by Daria Song

     This book is rated differently.  There's no way I can use the same sort of scrutiny with a novel to an adult coloring book.  

     First off, it's still an actual book.  the story is about a red haired fairy.  She lives inside a clock.  One day she wishes to leave the clock to explore the outside world.

   She leave the clock and bestows gifts to the little girl who's bedroom is near the clock.  From there, the red haired fairy leaves gifts of elegance and mystery.

     The book isn't supposed to carry a strong story, so much as give the reader pages of elegant and mysterious items to color and fall in love with. 

The book is my first adult coloring book, but I can say, anyone of anyone would love it.  So check out Daria Song's The Time Chamber. 

Lots of "Friction" from Sandra Brown

     Have you read this book?  OMGosh- it was amazing!  The story, the plot, the twists that threw me off to think the one person who'd been perfect as the Antagonist WASN'T!  Sandra Brown's Friction novel is an excellent read!  This pretty lady is one heck of writer... but many of you may already know that.

     The story is about Crawford Hunt, a US Marshall who's been dealt a terrible hand with the death of his wife.  Due to the devastation, he gave custody of his one-year old to his in-laws.  A move that many would consider honorary, until he recovers and decides to get his daughter back.  During a custody session, an armed gunman barges in, firing maniacally and kills a deputy bailiff and the story rolls on to a non-stop adventure.

     This book was a rapid read and I didn't dislike a single bit of it.  I mean, Crawford was a bit of a bully and his temper never seemed to ease; his temper is a quality he's known for but he's a good guy.  One of the best. The characters in this story are so vivid, it's like watching an HD movie in your head. I see why the author's a New York Times best-seller!  She has a way of weaving the tale to keep you guessing and loving everything about it.  I just knew I had the villain... and I wasn't close; I did have great motive though.  And the one who was wasn't even in my sites... well, he was but I didn't think he was in the way he was!  LOL  
  
     You won't get it unless you read it!  Go to your local library or buy this book!  It's a ride

The Five Times I Met Myself

     Who hasn't ever wondered about their dreams?  

     The Five Times I Met Myself by James L. Rubart, is about Brock, a man who has mysterious dreams, none of which I'll share, due to my 'NO SPOILERS' policy.  Anyway, he has these dreams that leave him baffled and curious.  After speaking to a friend, he's referred to a book on lucid dreams.  In the book, he discovers he can take control of his dreams; he can make them different.
 
     So he dives right back into his dreams, with a plan.  He decides to explain things to himself and get himself to do things differently.  The problem is, things don't go so well.

 This book was so fun and incredibly relatable, because we've all been in Brock's position.  What position is that?  Why, wishing we could go back and do things differently!  If only...

     This book blew my mind and I couldn't put it down. READ IT!

Rating:

The Light Side of The Moon by Elizabeth Guizzetti

     Because of this book, and the knowledge that it's part of a series, I now must go back and read the previous book.  I must admit, my ventures in to science fiction  normally bordered the lines of Doctor Who, Star Wars, Halo and Doom.  This was the first time in quite a while that I took on a book such as The Light Side of the Moon .  I'm happy I did.  Elizabeth Guizzetti has broadened my horizons and showed me, I can actually take the time to fly to realistic galaxies and even work on the moon.  Ha!  Who'da thunk it?      The Light Side of the Moon is as realistic as it gets with real science fiction, taking on the environmental issues such as one I'd recently discovered: jellyfish!  Now I don't remember it mentioned the Nomura jellyfish or not, but studies have shown that they are dominating the Japanese oceans and BAM!   Guizzetti mention's that in this book!  There are nanites repairing the ozone, androids are considered humans!  What?  And it's realistic because it's happening now; why can't it reach near perfection by 3026?

     There are three main characters in this book, with many side characters that build them, and each is on a journey of sorts.  There's Ellie who simply wants to be free, Ian who is doing his darndest to escape his father's medical shadow and be his own man, and there's Rosalind, The EC302 android who's considered human and looking to Evolve.  Each is looking for a sort of perfect life on or beyond the moon, but everyone claims they're foolish, daft, or brave.  Either way, it all made for a fascinating read.  There was only one problem: several times, words are used that are not translated and do not translate when I look them up.  That's rather difficult, like "Mapersonne"  What's that?  I don't know; I couldn't find a translation for it.


     The book blew me away but I have to admit there were times where I wasn't sure where the book was headed.  There was so much going on- and so much negativity for a while.  It all came together though and I found myself happy I held on.

     If you want science fiction, and I don't mean The Hitchhikers's Guide sorta scifi; I mean the real stuff, get this book! Oh, but you may want to get the first one (Other Systems) first!  I'm off to a new book now; I hope you find one yourself! 

Love the Fox by Frédéric Brrémaud and Frederico Bertolucci

     Normally I can't read a book this fast!  i received Love the Fox from Magnetic Press and it's even more amazing than the preview shots I'd first received.

     The story is unlike any other, in that there are no words to read.  This graphic tale is filled with beautiful illustrations, showing life in the forest.  The circle of life, so to speak.  Things are living, killing and flourishing, but when a volcano erupts, a set of events go into motion.  You see everything from land, air, and beneath freezing waters.  

     In every photo, you understand the fear, the frustration and the need to survive.  And then there's one fox.  She's an eyewitness to the events and watches how easily agitated some of the dominant predators can be when faced with the unknown danger.  What you don't see is why this fox is making her way through thunderous, treacherous territory.  Not until the end anyway. 

     This is a great book- one my son would appreciate but I refuse to give him.  LOL  It's all mine and I won't give it up.  So check out this deafening yet silent tale.  You will love it   as much as I did.  And I'm on to another book!

Locke & Key (Audio Drama Production) by Joe Hill & Gabriel Rodriguez

                      *All Photos Property of IDW Comics, J. Hill, G. Rodriguez and J. Fotos.
                                                                                                                 *audio drama

     Have you listened to an audio drama before?  I've been caught up in them because they provide the story and sound FX while you just relax and see it all in your mind's eye.  They're amazing!  I've loved titles like Wormwood, The Leviathan Chronicles, We're Alive and The Heavenfield.  They're the best because they bring imagination to life.  This audio drama, taken from Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez's comic book with the same name has created a story like none I've ever read or listened to!

     The story, Locke and Key, is about a mysterious collection of keys that have been entrusted to the Locke family.  The only issue is that if you're an unsuspecting adult or simply a non-believer in the magical realm, you can't see the affects of the keys.

     Enter Body, Kenzie and Tyler: their father's been killed by a crazed teen (Sam) who'd been instructed by an evil entity trapped in a well on the Locke property.  when Tyler, Kenzie and Body are moved to Locke House by their mother, who's alcoholic and distraught at the loss of her spouse (and killed Sam's accomplice).  All around the house are these keys that unlock magical doors.  One can open a closet that repairs anything that's been broken.  Another can open a closet that takes you into a ghostly realm, where you can se any and everyone, but they can not see you.  Then there's the ever favorite, the Head Key.  It unlocks your head, allowing you to stuff the cavity with anything you want.  If you wish to become a master of fencing, stuff a book on fencing in there.  If you want to know anything about history, stuff a history book in there- it;s okay!  Yeah, it's cool, but someone's looking for a special key and is willing to kill for it.  Even if it means killing the Locke's to get it.  

     Do they have enough keys to unlock a clue as to who is after them and if so, will they be able to lock the villain away forever?
     I was very appreciative when I received the email stating this story was FREE.  You know that's my middle name!  Well, I immediately downloaded it to my Audible.com account and finished my, at the time, audiobook.  I only listen to them while walking and soaking in my awesome, 90-minute bubble baths!  When I finally gave it a listen, I was impressed with the cast!  Tatiana Mislay, Haley Joel Osment, Kate Mulgrew and even Joe Hill's dad, freaking Stephen King!  Yes- The Stephen King!  I didn't even know because he's not using the King name, making his own way.  And he sure does it with this and so many other stories!

     Okay, so seriously, I'm not going to say anything else.  Check the slideshow.  If you're in to comics, check out IDW to get the comics or go open a free Audible account and download this into your collection.  You will not regret it- unless you have no imagination.  On to the next read! Rating: