Sage Nestler's Blog, page 42
April 25, 2017
Coral and Bone by Tiffany Daune Re-Release
Hello, Everyone!
I am excited to announce that a lovely indie author I admire, Tiffany Daune, is to be published by Oftomes Publishing! I reviewed her novel Coral & Bone by Tiffany Daune a few months ago, and it is a gorgeous book. It is this book that has been picked up and will be released.
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Here is the old cover:
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Here is the new cover:
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There is a Thunderclap that is active now for Coral and Bone, and they need 100 sign ups before the book is published! Please support the book at the link below.
http://goo.gl/hElXBk
I am excited to see where this novel goes next, and I will absolutely be picking up the new version!
Much love,
Ashley
April 24, 2017
Under the Shadow of War by Lawrie Gartside
Title: Under the Shadow of War
Author: Lawrie Gartside
Rating: 3/5
Synopsis:
A remarkable account of World War 2, from the declaration through to the rescues at Dunkirk and the London Blitz, with devastating accuracy and observation of how three young people dealt with the serious threat of invasion. The trials and tribulations, fears and apprehensions, are woven through the phases of warfare with outstanding accuracy, thus bringing the reader into the thick of the action.
Review:
Under the Shadow of War is a thrilling account of World War 2 from the view of England. The novel follows three different characters and how their points of view intertwine under the threat of invasion. I always love a good historical fiction and Under the Shadow of War reveals a point of view that I am not very familiar with. I enjoyed reading the story to take a crash course in World War 2 England.
However, I was often distracted by the abundant use of adverbs in the writing. I am not fond of adverbs being used after almost every line of dialogue, and this was the case in Under the Shadow of War. Too much description was also given after dialogue when the writing would have been better finalized with “he/she said”. An example of this from the novel is:
“‘We’re still sufferin’ from the last one.’ She shook her head wearily.
‘Huh, so much for appeasement!’ he spat contemptuously, in his Irish brogue.
‘You always said that Chamberlain was was playin’ a dangerous game.’ She added emphatically.'”
The numerous adverbs take away from the dialogue, and it doesn’t allow for the reader to fill in their own ideas of how the characters said a certain line.
But once I moved past the problem with the dialogue, I enjoyed the layout of the story. The characters were well developed, and Lawrie Gartside did well with organizing events and details. I enjoyed the historical context and the life experience that Gartside presented. If some of the over describing aspects of the novel were changed and the story drove the novel more, Under the Shadow of War would be a great historical fiction read to educate the masses on World War 2 England. I look forward to seeing how Gartside grows as an author.
FOR BOOK REVIEWS, FILL OUT THIS FORM: Book Review Request Form
FOR BOX REVIEWS, EMAIL: peachykeenreviews@gmail.com
April 20, 2017
Human Acts by Han Kang
Title: Human Acts
Author: Han Kang
Rating: 5/5
Synopsis:
In the midst of a violent student uprising in South Korea, a young boy named Dong-ho is shockingly killed.
The story of this tragic episode unfolds in a sequence of interconnected chapters as the victims and the bereaved encounter suppression, denial, and the echoing agony of the massacre. From Dong-ho’s best friend who meets his own fateful end; to an editor struggling against censorship; to a prisoner and a factory worker, each suffering from traumatic memories; and to Dong-ho’s own grief-stricken mother; and through their collective heartbreak and acts of hope is the tale of a brutalized people in search of a voice.
An award-winning, controversial bestseller, HUMAN ACTS is a timeless, pointillist portrait of an historic event with reverberations still being felt today, by turns tracing the harsh reality of oppression and the resounding, extraordinary poetry of humanity.
Review:
Han Kang is a poet. Human Acts reads like a memoir forced upon the reader, and it doesn’t let go until the last page has been turned. Even though this novel is fiction, the themes therein are all too real to humanity today.
I honestly have never read a story using the second person perspective that I have liked; but in Kang’s case, this perspective works. She forces the reader into the position of the main character so that they feel the pain and trials in a real sense. Kang’s knowledge of and life experience in South Korea brings forth a heartbreaking story that reveals how a community revolts in the face of crisis. I was amazed at how she portrayed a young boy’s death as a life-shattering experience that changed the face of South Korea forever.
It is not a surprise to me that Kang made her literary debut as a poet. Her gift for poetry is apparent in every page of Human Acts. She has a way of making drastic events appear beautiful in the face of the characters and the reader.
“The national anthem rang out like a circular refrain, one verse crashing with another against the constant background of weeping, and you listened with bated breath to the subtle dissonance this created.”
Kang is a gorgeous author who knows how to bring different human perspectives to those who may not understand what some individuals go through. Reading her work has changed my own perspective in a big way. I look forward to reading more of Kang’s work, and I think that this novel should be taught at every university as an example of fine literature.
FOR BOOK REVIEWS, FILL OUT THIS FORM: Book Review Request Form
FOR BOX REVIEWS, EMAIL: peachykeenreviews@gmail.com
April 19, 2017
The Portal Prophecies: A Halloween’s Curse by C.A. King
Title: The Portal Prophecies: A Halloween’s Curse
Author: C.A. King
Rating: 4/5
Synopsis:
Why do prophecies have to speak in riddles? Willow’s destiny led her to a whole book of them. If that wasn’t bad enough a gypsy witch shows up and utters words that made even less sense. Was it a curse or another prediction? With Mike still missing, and Halloween approaching quickly Willow will need all of her friends to help connect the events of the past with the present or there may not be a future. King Cornelius’ plan to dominate every realm is woven into the mystery that surrounds every corner they turn. Following the clues will lead them on a journey through the spookiest time of the year.
Review:
C.A. King has a magnificent imagination. The world that she has created is a universe of its own. I love how King’s novels revolve around a set of prophecies that guide the characters and unfold mysteries, and I couldn’t put this novel down. There is a big difference in King’s writing style from the first novel in The Portal Prophecies series and this sequel. King has grown artistically, and this novel is my favorite of hers yet.
Many authors who write long series such as King often fall into the trap of the cliffhanger. I find that many books in a series end up relying on the cliffhanger to influence readers to continue the series, but King does not do that. She writes each novel as though it is her only one, and I loved how well she developed her characters in A Halloween’s Curse. Each sentence of King’s has a poetic tilt to it, and I enjoyed watching her world build up around me as I read.
“She looked up and nodded her head in agreement. resolve exploding from her eyes.”
Willow has become one of my favorite characters, and I enjoyed the incorporation of Halloween into this novel. It helped to blend fantasy with mythology while blending King’s ideas with ancient ones. Reading A Halloween’s Curse felt like a race for time, and I am eager to pick up the third book in the series.
King has brought an inventive new fantasy series to the table, and I can’t wait to see where she goes from here!
FOR BOOK REVIEWS, FILL OUT THIS FORM: Book Review Request Form
FOR BOX REVIEWS, EMAIL: peachykeenreviews@gmail.com
April 18, 2017
When Leaves Fall by C.A. King
Title: When Leaves Fall
Author: C.A. King
Rating: 5/5
Synopsis:
When Leaves Fall A Different Point of View Story Ralph wakes up to what others only experience in a nightmare. Chained to a shed, he has no idea where he is, or who his captor is. His memories are blurred at best. As the days press on, he finds himself experiencing a roller coaster of feelings. Hunger, thirst and pain become his only companions. Flashbacks of a happier time are all he has to keep him going. As his situation deteriorates, he finds himself doubting he ever had the very thing he wants most – a family. When Leaves Fall is a dramatic thriller with a twist. Keep the tissue box close for the ending.
Review:
Oh my, When Leaves Fall should come with a trigger warning label. This book has broken by heart but in the best possible way. It has been a very long time since I have given a book a 5-star rating, and this book more than deserves the honor.
I have grown quite fond of C.A. King’s fantasy series, The Portal Prophecies, but I was surprised to find that she has left the fantasy genre to write this short point of view story. The story is written in the third person, but it allows for the reader to feel as though they are in the shoes of the main character. King also doesn’t name the setting of the novel or who the main character is. All she does is acknowledge that the main character is a prisoner looking for an escape, and she describes the cruel events that the main character goes through. Her details aren’t unnecessary, and they hit the reader in all of the right ways.
“There was an unnatural feeling in the pit of his stomach that screamed that the place was all wrong. He didn’t belong there – no one did.”
Now, it is hard to review this short novel without giving away the surprise ending. But I will say that I am amazed that King has decided to take on a perspective that is quite neglected in literature. King’s novel presents a thrilling, realistic view of the dark side of humanity and how many humans treat animals. She doesn’t shy away from the horrors that are present in our world, and even though this novel is short, it impacted me in a bigger way than many long novels too. King knows how to pack an emotional punch with her writing, and I applaud authors who can impact the reader within a matter of pages. King’s talent is remarkable, and I guarantee that you will be changed by When Leaves Fall. You won’t find this style of writing in any other form of literature.
FOR BOOK REVIEWS, FILL OUT THIS FORM: Book Review Request Form
FOR BOX REVIEWS, EMAIL: peachykeenreviews@gmail.com
BOOK SALE – Behind Broken Glass Walls
Hello, Everyone!
I am excited to announce that I am offering special book bundles featuring my novel, Behind Broken Glass Walls! These bundles are cheaper than my novel on Amazon and they come with a couple of extra goodies that are perfect to use while reading. Each book will also be personalized to you!
To get your hands on this special bundle, go here!
*Available Only While Supplies Lasts*
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Synopsis
Abuse. A Gun. And Her Daughter.
You never know how strong you are until you are forced into a situation that tests every ounce of your strength. This is what one mother learns when she finds out that the person who committed a shooting at her daughter’s high school was indeed her daughter. Her feelings are a mix of every emotion, but what bothers her the most is that even though she knows that her daughter took the lives of many others, she can’t help but love her the same that she always did – maybe even more. It is this love for her daughter that curses her existence, and makes her question her loyalties. Learn what it means to love a child when everyone else sees her as a murderer, and experience what it feels like to love someone who you no longer understand.
What are the limits on your love?
FOR BOOK REVIEWS, FILL OUT THIS FORM: Book Review Request Form
FOR BOX REVIEWS, EMAIL: peachykeenreviews@gmail.com
Author Interview with Angela J. Ford
Hello, Everyone!
Today I am excited to share with you an interview I had with author Angela J. Ford! Angela is the author of The Five Warriors as well as her newly released sequel, The Blended Ones. Enjoy!
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Synopsis
Phyllis and her 17 year old twin sister, Ilieus, are blended ones. But Ilieus suffers from visions of darkness she is unable to discern. Forsaken by their parents the two cross the country in search of the Order of the Wise for help.
Cuthan the Charmer is mischievous enough to change anyone’s mind with a smile and a wink. Born into a family of treasure hunters, he’s searching for the key to unlocking his dormant powers.
Pharengon the Horse Lord was born to be King. Young and inexperienced he seeks a weapon to turn the tide of the war in his favor. But when his very own army betrays him, he will have to turn to the Lost Ones for assistance.
Caught in the fate of the Eastern World the youths’ destinies become twisted together in a frightful quest that will change the course of time. In the midst of their whirlwind adventure, they discover love, loss, and uncover the truth about who and what is behind the chaotic, spiraling events in the Eastern World.
Interview
1) What is the first memory you have of writing?
When I was young I kept a daily journal, mainly ramblings of nonsense, but that’s what got me started with writing. From there I started writing short stories, believe it or not, my first short tales were all romances. Somehow I discovered fantasy and I haven’t looked back since.
2) Which authors inspire you, and why?
Growing up I was inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, George MacDonald, and Brian Jacques. As I grew older I fell in love with the writing style of Patricia A. McKillip. She is an award-winning fantasy author and her flowery writing style is one I’ve adopted as well. Of course, I’m not on her level yet, but it’s what I strive for. Sarah Addison Allen is one of my favorite authors for the romance, the way she blends everyday life with magic is brilliant.
Some of my favorite books include:
The Forgotten Beasts of Eld by Patricia A. McKillip
Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
3) What is your favorite genre to read, and why?
Sci-fi and thrillers are my favorite genre to read. I love the fast past vibe of thriller and their creepy endings, and I’m just in awe of the brilliance behind science fiction. In school I was fascinated by physics but, must to my digression, I found out I’m not good at science. I believe these genres are my favorite because eventually I want to write a great thriller.
4) What is your favorite genre to write, and why?
I adore writing fantasy because there are no rules. No one can tell me my characters aren’t realistic, or my places don’t match the historical records. It’s all made up and I don’t have to adhere to the laws of nature or the universe!
5) What are you currently working on?
The Five Warriors and The Blended Ones setup the epic tale of Eliesmore. His story covers books three and four of The Four Worlds Series and unlike the previous two, is not a stand-alone book. Right now, I’m working on book three: Eliesmore and the Green Stone. A prophecy has been foretold about the coming of the One. He will take up the Jeweled Sword and dissolve the Green Stone. There’s just one small problem, he’s spent 19 years in obviation and has no desire to be the One.
Author Bio
Angela J. Ford was brought up as a bookworm and musician. She began writing The Four Worlds, a fantasy action, adventure series at the age of 12. The storyline of the books is largely based off of creative games she played with her sisters.
Originally finished when she was 16, after college, Angela began to re-write the Four Worlds Series, bringing it from a child’s daydream to an adventure young and old alike can enjoy.
Inspired by fairy tales, high magic, and epic fantasy, Angela knows you’ll enjoy your adventures within the Four Worlds. If you happen to be in Nashville, you’ll mostly likely find her at a local coffee shop, enjoying a white chocolate mocha and furiously working on her next book. Make sure you say hello!
https://www.TheFourWorldsSeries.com
http://www.facebook.com/thefourworldsseries
http://www.twitter.com/aford21
http://www.instagram.com/aford21
April 17, 2017
Book Promo – Breakwater by Errin Stevens
Hello, Everyone!
Today I wanted to tell you about an amazing novel by author Errin Stevens. We featured Stevens in our subscription box – Literary Vacation Club – this past August for her novel Updrift, and I am in love with her work! Stevens paints with her words, and her take on the classic mermaid mythology is magical. Her novels read like grown-up fairytales, and I highly recommend them! Stevens recently released the sequel to Updrift entitled Breakwater and I am so excited to share it with you. These novels are great for adults who miss the fairytales from their childhoods, and they are sure to bring magic to your life.
Much love,
Ashley
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Synopsis
The sirens of Griffins Bay are in trouble, and the recent slew of royal suicides looks to be the least of their worries.
For one, unless a blood relative of the queen shows up, no one’s around to staff the monarchy. Well, except for a whack-job bureaucrat and he seriously won’t do. Worse is the community unrest threatening siren society, a problem caused by too many humans in the pool, which means Simon and his off-limit girlfriend will have to run and hide if they want to make more of their flirtation…
The solution doesn’t inspire confidence at first, but the Blakes have everything at hand to set their world to rights – namely, a hidden queen, a dead prince, and a facility for human manipulation. Once they find their sea legs, they’ll restore order, distribute smart phones, and drive that conniving bureaucrat to a grisly, satisfying end.
April 15, 2017
Blue Spider’s Attic Review – April 2017
Blue Spider’s Attic is a book subscription that sends you used books, coffee and/or tea, and bookish accessories. Each month’s box is based on a different theme, and all items are carefully picked to match that month’s theme.
Each box comes with three used books along with enough tea or coffee to fill a whole pot. Also included are bonus accessories that correlate to the month’s theme.
There are three different boxes that Blue Spider’s Attic offers:
The Attic Box = Includes books, tea or coffee, and bookish accessories
Month by Month ($21.99/month+shipping)
3 Month Pre-Pay ($59.99+shipping)
6 Month Pre-Pay ($114.99+shipping)
Blue Spider’s Bookish Accessories = Include 2 – 3 bookish accessories and one sample of tea and one sample of coffee
Month by Month ($13.99+shipping)
3 Month Pre-Pay ($39.99+shipping)
6 Month Pre-Pay ($79.50+shipping)
Blue Spider’s Basics = Includes books, coffee, and tea
Month by Month ($13.99+shipping)
3 Month Pre-Pay ($39.99+shipping)
6 Month Pre-Pay ($79.50+shipping)
Blue Spider’s Attic also offers one time boxes that you can purchase without subscribing
US shipping is $7.00
One of the best things about subscribing to this box is that you are able to list your book preferences. No two boxes are the same, and the owners work hard to make sure that you receive books you will love!
I received The Attic Box to review, and April’s theme was Books, Bubbles, and Brew!
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Blue Spider’s Attic shows up in a simple white box with the logo on the front.
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Upon opening, I was happy to see the contents of the box was wrapped in blue tissue paper! This is a cute touch, and it intensifies the surprise element.
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The Attic Box comes with this adorable bookmark for all of your reading needs.
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I love the quote on the back of the bookmark, and I will definitely be putting this to good use!
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Also included is this item list! It lists everything included in the box, as well as the different shops that were included. I love how this box comes with either tea or coffee based on the subscriber’s preference. I personally received the coffee, and I am so glad because I am coffee OBSESSED!
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The first item included in the box is this adorable teaspoon. I am in desperate need of a spoon to spoon out my loose tea, and this one is perfect! This is one of the bookish items included in the box, and I love it.
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The next item is this gorgeous teapot necklace. This necklace is an original from the creators of Blue Spider’s Attic.
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I love the purple color of the teapot! It is also nice to know that this was made by the creators of the box. I love receiving one of a kind items!
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One of the bonus items in this month’s box is a Butter Rum Coffee Shot from Harmonies Brew! This shot originally comes with milk, but these bottles are shipped without so that they are preserved. I love that the shot doesn’t have milk in it because I’m lactose intolerant, and I love my shots straight up!
The flavor of this shot was sharp with a hint of sweetness. Butter rum is my favorite flavor, and it was nice trying something from a new coffee company!
Also included from Harmonies Brew is this package of whole bean coffee! This amount of coffee is enough to make a full pot, and I can’t wait to try it. I love trying new brands and flavors!
The last bookish item in the box is this white tea bubble bath inspired by Jane Eyre! This bubble bath is from TeaSoapBooks – a company that I ADORE – and the bubble bath will be perfect for my next book bath! Jane Eyre is also one of my favorite literary works, and I love items inspired by classics.
The first book in my box came wrapped in this adorable newspaper print sack. I love how nostalgic the newspaper is, and it adds that secondhand feel that I adore!
The first novel that I received is Tyringham Park by Rosemary McLoughlin. I have not heard of this novel before, and I loved receiving a book that I wouldn’t have chosen otherwise! This novel is historical fiction, and I am always a sucker for this genre.
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The second two books that I received also came in a newspaper print sack. I am just in love with this packaging and it reminds me of my favorite used bookstore. Unfortunately, my favorite used bookstore went out of business so I am so glad to have this box! It fills that gap that I am missing.
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The second two books that I received are The Drafter by Kim Harrison and Servant of the Empire by Raymond E. Feist and Janny Wurts. The Drafter is a thriller while Servant of the Empire is a fantasy. I love the eclectic mix of novels that I received, and how different the three of them are! Even though Servant of the Empire is a sequel, I have found that high fantasy novels like this one can often be read out of order. I am so excited to have received books I would never have thought to pick up. Having this box is like having a personal book dealer choosing my reads for me!
Final Thought: I am IN LOVE with this box. It is so different from the other book boxes I have received, and used books are my favorite. I love the thought of reading a book that so many others have read, and it makes me feel connected to other readers. Blue Spider’s Attic did very well with including one of a kind items that fit the used bookstore experience perfectly, and I adore their book choices. The only con is that there is the possibility that you may receive duplicate books since they are used and the box is a surprise box. However, there are so many books in the world and there are so many for you to discover. If you love used books, coffee, tea, and fun bookish items, then this is the perfect box for you! It also makes a great gift.
*NOTE: We received this box to review for free.*
April 11, 2017
2016 – 2017 Top Books
Hello, Everyone!
April is my 1 year anniversary since I created Peachy Keen Reviews! Hooray! In celebration, I have created a list of my 5 favorite novels that I have reviewed within the past year. I highly recommend all of these, and I am so glad that I found them!
5
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The Crown of Stones: Magic Price by C.L. Schneider is a gorgeous high fantasy novel. I love the imagination that went into this trilogy, and I could read them all twice!
Ian Troy is one of the Shinree, a fallen people with an inherent addiction to magic. Scorned and reviled for the deadly side of their spells, the Shinree are bred as slaves. Their magic is suppressed by drugs and used only as it serves the purposes of the other races. Descended from a long line of soldiers, Ian is conscripted into the Rellan army and made to fight in their longstanding conflict against the ruthless Langorian invaders. The downfall of Rella imminent, Ian goes against orders and turns to the Crown of Stones, an ancient Shinree relic of untold power. Ignorant of its true purpose, Ian uses the crown to end the war, and pays a terrible price. A decade later, still tortured by the aftermath of that day, Ian lives as a bounty hunter in self-imposed exile. Having renounced his magical heritage, he curbs his obsession with a steady stream of wine and regret. He struggles to put it all behind him, until a fateful encounter with a pretty assassin brings Ian’s past crashing into the present. Targeted by a rogue Shinree, and a ruthless old enemy, Ian is forced to use magic again. His deadly addiction is rekindled and his life of isolation is brought to a swift end. With the land he gave up everything to protect once more in jeopardy, and his people’s future at stake, Ian becomes embroiled in a violent race for control of the Crown of Stones. To save the realms and those he cares for, Ian must embrace the thing he fears most: his own power.
4
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My Lea by E. Mellyberry is a gorgeous, bittersweet romance. E. Mellyberry is an artist with her words, and this romance novel has stayed with me ever since. Move over Nicholas Sparks, another romance author has filled your shoes.
When Lea Amelia landed her feet in San Francisco for her overseas study, her idea of freedom was simple, like eating junk food ten times a day, sitting in front of the TV in her PJs, or going out late with her friends without the need to check in with her mother constantly. Then she met Andrew Jaya, her brothers’ best friend. A twenty-two-year-old guy whose physical appearance looked like he was crafted straight from God’s heavenly hands, but possessed a past as bleak as if it was drawn by Evil himself. A conflicted guy who wore sadness like nobody’s business beneath his mask, a perfect-looking mask she slowly peeled away. He was also the guy who hurt her. Suddenly, everything about her was no longer simple. Andrew Jaya had convinced himself that not feeling was good for him. He’d been doing it splendidly for almost his entire life. But that was before his best friend’s sister stepped into his life and ruined it. After weeks of knowing Lea, all of those warm and wonderful feelings he’d long ago denied to himself started to reappear. Problem was, the brighter the light, the bigger the shadows that came with it. His traumatic past refused to let him go. When the unthinkable happened, the easiest thing to do was to run. But life often proves that the easiest way is usually the hardest.
3
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The Calypsis Project by Brittany Willows is by far the best science fiction novel that I have ever read. It is the novel that got me into science fiction literature in the first place. If you are looking for a great introductory science fiction read, then this novel it is!
The year is 2438. Ten years ago, an ill-fated encounter on a human mining colony triggered a devastating war between the United Nations Planetary Defense and an alien organization known as the Drocain Royal Empire.
After a decade of fighting with no sign of a conclusion in sight, the men and women of the UNPD find themselves faced with the reality that mankind’s very existence could be at stake.
When Corporal Alana Carmen stumbles upon an encrypted communications device, she learns there is more to the conflict than a simple war-for-worlds.But to uncover the truth, she must make allies of those she once considered enemies.
And now, the fate of the entire galaxy may rest on the shoulders of a single alien warrior . . .
Following a public shaming at his own Coming of Age ceremony, Kenon Valinquint enrolls in the Drocain Royal Empire with the hope of one day redeeming himself. Unbeknownst to the young Drahkori, this decision has set in motion a staggering chain of events that could very well change the direction of the war, and the known history of the universe, forever.
2
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Pretty Girl – 13 by Liz Coley is a haunting YA novel about kidnap and multiple personality disorder. It is one of the best novels I have read that focuses on mental illness, and it simply took my breath away.
Reminiscent of the Elizabeth Smart case, Pretty Girl-13 is a disturbing and powerful psychological thriller about a girl who must piece together the mystery of her kidnapping and abuse. Perfect for fans of books like Jay Asher’s Thirteen Reasons Why, Elizabeth Scott’s Living Dead Girl, and Caroline B. Cooney’s The Face on the Milk Carton series, Pretty Girl-13 is a haunting yet ultimately uplifting story about the healing power of courage, hope, and love.
Angie Chapman was thirteen years old when she ventured into the woods on a Girl Scout camping trip. Now she’s returned home . . . only to find that it’s three years later and she’s sixteen—or at least that’s what everyone tells her. What happened to the last three years of her life? With a tremendous amount of courage, Angie embarks on a journey to discover the fragments of her lost time. She eventually discovers a terrifying secret and must decide: what do you do when you remember things you wish you could forget?
1
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Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven is a YA novel that stands apart from the rest. I loved how it confronted bullying and the stigma around overweight teenagers. It really made me think deeply about our teenage years. If you are looking for a YA novel that breaks away from the perfect pretty girls and hot guys, then this novel is for you.
Everyone thinks they know Libby Strout, the girl once dubbed “America’s Fattest Teen.” But no one’s taken the time to look past her weight to get to know who she really is. Following her mom’s death, she’s been picking up the pieces in the privacy of her home, dealing with her heartbroken father and her own grief. Now, Libby’s ready: for high school, for new friends, for love, and for EVERY POSSIBILITY LIFE HAS TO OFFER. In that moment, I know the part I want to play here at MVB High. I want to be the girl who can do anything.
Everyone thinks they know Jack Masselin, too. Yes, he’s got swagger, but he’s also mastered the impossible art of giving people what they want, of fitting in. What no one knows is that Jack has a newly acquired secret: he can’t recognize faces. Even his own brothers are strangers to him. He’s the guy who can re-engineer and rebuild anything in new and bad-ass ways, but he can’t understand what’s going on with the inner workings of his brain. So he tells himself to play it cool: Be charming. Be hilarious. Don’t get too close to anyone.
Until he meets Libby. When the two get tangled up in a cruel high school game—which lands them in group counseling and community service—Libby and Jack are both pissed, and then surprised. Because the more time they spend together, the less alone they feel. . . . Because sometimes when you meet someone, it changes the world, theirs and yours.
Jennifer Niven delivers another poignant, exhilarating love story about finding that person who sees you for who you are—and seeing them right back.
Thank you for such a great year in reading, and I can’t wait to read more of these lovely novels! I hope that you take the time to check out each of these novels, and I promise that they will change your life for the better.
Much love,
Ashley
FOR BOOK REVIEWS, FILL OUT THIS FORM: Book Review Request Form
FOR BOX REVIEWS, EMAIL: peachykeenreviews@gmail.com
